An independent directory for U.S. veterans and their families. Not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

An American Memorial Directory
VeteranFunerals

Funeral home with veteran services

Mercadante Funeral Home

370 Plantation St. · Worcester, MA 01605

Full listing, prices and reviews: Mercadante Funeral Home on FuneralUS

Veteran Services

From the home's own description

“Assistance with Veterans Benefits (Military Monument, Flag, Burial Allowance); Military Services”

Veteran services at Mercadante Funeral Home

Mercadante Funeral Home serves veteran families in Worcester, MA with military funeral planning. In its own description, the home mentions flag presentation and VA benefits paperwork. On-site amenities include chapel and large well lighted parking areas, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $5,495 for basic burial and $3,380 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs. It has a 5.0 rating from 139 reviews on Google.

The home lists these veteran-related services: burial vaults, cremation caskets, veterans benefits assistance, cemetery plot selection assistance, memorial tribute dvds, and custom memorial folders. Ask the director which of them they arrange directly.

Facilities on site include chapel.

Published pricing at Mercadante Funeral Home: direct cremation from $2,570. That places direct cremation roughly 4% below the Massachusetts median ($2,677). If the veteran qualifies for a VA burial allowance, the family claims it with VA Form 21P-530EZ. Ask whether the home will help you file it.

The nearest veterans cemetery that isn't listed as closed is Massachusetts State Veterans Cemetery - Winchendon in MA, about 31 miles from Mercadante Funeral Home. For a burial in a VA national cemetery, the funeral home or the family calls the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.

Mercadante Funeral Home has a 5.0-star rating from 139 Google reviews.

We list about 579 funeral homes in Massachusetts. Only some of them name military funeral honors or VA benefits help among their services.

Frequently asked questions

What does a funeral at Mercadante Funeral Home cost for veteran families?

From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,570. Eligible veterans can offset these costs with a VA burial allowance, and burial in a VA national cemetery is provided at no charge.

Where is Mercadante Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?

Mercadante Funeral Home is located at 370 Plantation St. in Worcester, MA. You can reach the home at (508) 754-0486. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.

What services does Mercadante Funeral Home offer veteran families?

Mercadante Funeral Home provides 24 hour staff availability, funeral arrangements, religious faith accommodation, professional service, personalized service, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Does Mercadante Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?

In its own description of its veteran services, Mercadante Funeral Home mentions flag presentation and VA benefits paperwork. Ask the home how VA burial benefits apply to your family.

Which faith traditions does Mercadante Funeral Home accommodate?

Staff coordinate services for Christian (Catholic), Jewish, All Faiths families, among others.

How do families rate Mercadante Funeral Home?

Mercadante Funeral Home holds a 5.0-star rating across 139 Google reviews from local families and veterans.

What sets Mercadante Funeral Home apart

  • Mercadante Pet Cremation Care services
  • Crowdfunding platform to assist families with funeral expenses
  • 24-hour staff availability for immediate needs
  • Ability to make arrangements at the funeral home or in the family's residence
  • Accommodates all religious faiths, creeds, and customs, including Christian (Catholic) and Jewish services
  • Offers a wide range of price categories to meet diverse financial needs

Military and veteran services listed

★Veterans Benefits Assistance
★Cemetery Plot Selection Assistance
★Memorial Tribute DVDs
★Custom Memorial Folders
★Military Services
★Memorial Services

Burial and cremation services

Burial

  • · Burial Vaults
  • · Graveside Services
  • · Immediate Burial

Cremation

  • · Cremation Caskets
  • · Urns
  • · Cremation
  • · Pet Cremation Services

On-site facilities

· Chapel
· Large Well Lighted Parking Areas
· Homelike Atmosphere

Affiliations and specialties

Industry affiliations

  • · National Funeral Directors Association
  • · Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association
  • · Greater Worcester Funeral Directors Association
  • · Order Sons of Italy In America
  • · Shrewsbury Kiwanis Club
  • · The American Society of Embalmers

Specialties

  • · Pet Cremation Services
  • · Sea Burials

Religious traditions and languages

Religious traditions served: Christian (Catholic), Jewish, All Faiths.

What families have said

Up to five Google reviews of Mercadante Funeral Home, shown as written. Reviews that mention veterans, military service, honors, a flag or a cemetery come first, then the highest-rated.

“The exemplary service we received from Kevin and the entire team at Mercadante was simply top notch. Their sensitivity, empathy, flexibility, and service level were just outstanding! We are grateful for their support during this difficult time for our family. The services exceeded our expectations - thank you from all the Lemires!”
Ellen Lemire★★★★★6 months agoVet-related
“Losing our beloved mother was one of the most painful and devastating experiences of our lives. During such a heartbreaking time, Stephen Gemelli and the entire staff at Mercadante Funeral Home treated my family and me with the utmost compassion, respect, and care. From the very beginning, Stephen showed genuine empathy and kindness. He walked us through every step of the process with patience and understanding, making sure we felt supported and never alone in our decisions. His professionalism, paired with heartfelt compassion, gave us a sense of peace and reassurance during such a difficult time. The entire Mercadante staff went above and beyond to ensure our mother’s services were handled with dignity and grace. They were attentive, comforting, and truly dedicated to honoring our mother’s life in the most beautiful way possible. I am forever grateful and thankful for how Stephen and his team treated us. Their support meant the world to my family and me, and I will never forget their kindness during our time of grief. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Maria Francisco★★★★★8 months agoVet-related
“From start to finish, my experience with Mercadante Funeral Home was nothing short of exceptional. Stephen was incredibly kind, sincere, and helpful throughout the entire process, making a very difficult time much easier to bear. The communication was top-tier and every question I had was answered promptly and thoroughly. They truly went above and beyond to accommodate all of my needs, ensuring everything was handled with care and compassion. One of the most meaningful aspects was the beautiful keepsakes I received, which will help me cherish my father’s memory forever. I cannot thank Stephen and the team enough for their dedication and support. I highly recommend Mercadante to anyone in need of such services!”
asia flint★★★★★a year agoVet-related
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Mercadante Funeral Home, especially to Stephen Gemelli and your team, for handling every request we had with such care. We wanted calling hours in my mother’s home—a service that’s rarely done—and they made it look as if they’d done it a million times. Every detail was so beautifully and seamlessly carried out. My mother looked beautiful, and we received countless compliments on the professionalism of the staff. We never had to worry about anything because our funeral director was so attentive and proactive. I cannot recommend Mercadante Funeral Home more highly. They are compassionate, empathetic, and continue their support even after the service is over. Thank you for helping us through the hardest time of our lives and making it easier on us. Stephen and your team, you truly are the best!”
Kim Landry★★★★★a year agoVet-related
“The team at Mercadante Funeral Home are professional, caring. They listen and work with you, guide you through the process. In addition, they are knowledgeable and respect customers from different cultures. Thank you!”
Yu Qin★★★★★4 months ago

How to request military funeral honors

By law (10 U.S.C. § 1491), an eligible veteran's funeral can include, on request, an honors detail of at least two service members who fold and present the U.S. flag to the family and play Taps. The funeral director usually makes the request and will need the veteran's DD214 or other discharge papers.

VA suggests asking at least 48 to 72 hours before the service. More on what honors include and how to request them.