Veteran services at Messier Funeral Home
For veterans in Holyoke, MA, Messier Funeral Home coordinates military honors and burial benefits. In its own description, the home mentions flag presentation, VA benefits paperwork, and veterans cemetery burial. On-site amenities include on-site chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $6,600 for basic burial and $4,355 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs. On Google it averages 5.0 stars across 11 reviews.
The home lists these veteran-related services: cremation, traditional burial, memorial service, graveside service, online memorials, and cemetery arrangements. Ask the director which of them they arrange directly.
Facilities on site include on-site chapel.
Published pricing at Messier Funeral Home: direct cremation from $4,355. That places direct cremation roughly 63% above 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 - Agawam in MA, about 10 miles from Messier 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.
Messier Funeral Home has a 5.0-star rating from 11 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 Messier Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $4,355. 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 Messier Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Messier Funeral Home is located at 1944 Northampton Street in Holyoke, MA. You can reach the home at (413) 532-5491. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Messier Funeral Home offer veteran families?
Messier Funeral Home provides cremation, traditional burial, memorial service, graveside service, pre-arrangement, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Messier Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
In its own description of its veteran services, Messier Funeral Home mentions flag presentation, VA benefits paperwork, and veterans cemetery burial. Ask the home how VA burial benefits apply to your family.
Which faith traditions does Messier Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic families, among others.
How do families rate Messier Funeral Home?
Messier Funeral Home holds a 5.0-star rating across 11 Google reviews from local families and veterans.
What sets Messier Funeral Home apart
- Specialization in supporting families with 'Children & Grief' and 'Death Away From Home' situations.
- Offering 'UrnSpiration' personalized cremation urn collections.
- Providing a year of weekly grief support messages.
- Utilizing online memorial tools, tribute videos, and integrated flower ordering directly from obituaries.
- Employing life celebrants to lead personalized memorial services.
Military and veteran services listed
Burial and cremation services
Burial
- · Traditional Burial
- · Graveside Service
Cremation
- · Cremation
- · Crematory Arrangements
- · Urn Selection
On-site facilities
Affiliations and specialties
Industry affiliations
- · Milestone Funeral Partners, LLC
- · Milestone Funeral Services of MA, LLC
Specialties
- · Children & Grief
- · Death Away From Home
Religious traditions and languages
Religious traditions served: Catholic. Languages spoken at the home: English.
What families have said
Up to five Google reviews of Messier Funeral Home, shown as written. Reviews that mention veterans, military service, honors, a flag or a cemetery come first, then the highest-rated.
“I recently had my mom's services at Messiers (as well as my dad's in 2014) at Messiers Funeral Home. I found owners Jen and Brian to be very accommodating to the family's wishes. My sister and I met with Jen on more than one occasion as well as several calls and each time they were understanding, respectful, and sympathetic. The services for each of my parents were exactly as requested. I would definitely recommend them to anyone!”
“On July 24, 2019, my beloved mother had passed away. We had her services here with Messier funeral home and they did a fantastic job with preparing her body the services to decoration and even at the gravesite. Then six years later unfortunately this past March my dear sweet 12-year-old had passed away, and we again reached out to Messier for cremation this time, and although her cremations were handled by a sister facility, everything was wonderful, And a smooth process, we couldn’t ask for more help more sincerity and understanding of what we were going through with our child. Everything was done in a timely manner with the best quality, even when receiving her earn and all the necklace pieces for her siblings. My whole family is grateful for the way both of our loved ones were handled with such professionalism and such care and delicacy. We truly, truly, truly appreciated it!!!”
“Mike Usher is very professional and runs a very respectful funeral home. He took care of my brother in-laws Wilfredo Nieves service in June and again in October for my mother in-law Dominga Rivera. And all we have for Mike Usher is gratitude and respect. This has been a difficult year for myself and my wife, and Mike has taken care of everything for us from start to end and has made it easier for us to put my brother-in law and my mother in law to rest! We the Adjuder family recommend for you when the time ever comes to use Messier Funeral Home. Everything they do at Messier's is done with love ❤️ Thanks Mike & Kate”
“In such an emotional time in a family's life. It was so comforting to have all staff at Messier Funeral Home to lean on. The time they took to answer and explain all question and concerns in great detail was most appreciated. Every member showed patients, empathy and understanding. We walked in nervous of the unknown. Left, with a smile feeling confident in our choices. Thank you!”
“"I cannot recommend Messier funeral home highly enough. Losing my mother was incredibly hard, but the staff here were a calm and steady presence throughout the entire process. They managed all the logistics seamlessly, clearly explaining our options and taking the burden of planning off our shoulders. More importantly, their genuine kindness and respect made us feel cared for, not just like clients.”
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.