Veteran services at Nelson-Doran Funeral & Cremation Service
Nelson-Doran Funeral & Cremation Service serves veteran families in Brainerd, MN with military funeral planning. In their own words: "Nelson-Doran Funeral Home offers specific services for honoring veterans, including Veterans & Military Honors services." Published pricing lists $7,070 for basic burial and $3,780 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include cremation services, direct cremation, green burials, traditional burial services, memorial celebrations, and honoring veterans. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
Published pricing at Nelson-Doran Funeral & Cremation Service: direct cremation from $3,780. That places direct cremation roughly 31% above the Minnesota median ($2,877). Veterans who served on active duty for at least 24 months may qualify for VA burial allowance to offset funeral costs — this home accepts assignment of those benefits where eligible.
The nearest VA national cemetery is Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Little Falls in MN, approximately 21 miles from Nelson-Doran Funeral & Cremation Service. Nelson-Doran Funeral & Cremation Service can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Minnesota has approximately 567 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Nelson-Doran Funeral & Cremation Service is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at Nelson-Doran Funeral & Cremation Service cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $3,780. 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 Nelson-Doran Funeral & Cremation Service located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Nelson-Doran Funeral & Cremation Service is located at 202 8th Ave. NE in Brainerd, MN. You can reach the home at (218) 829-4755. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Nelson-Doran Funeral & Cremation Service offer veteran families?
Nelson-Doran Funeral & Cremation Service provides simple options, cremation services, direct cremation, green burials, traditional burial services, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Nelson-Doran Funeral & Cremation Service help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Nelson-Doran Funeral Home offers specific services for honoring veterans, including Veterans & Military Honors services.
Which faith traditions does Nelson-Doran Funeral & Cremation Service accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic families, among others.
What sets Nelson-Doran Funeral & Cremation Service apart
- Over 140 years of continuous operation and service in the Brainerd area, tracing back to 1882.
- On-site cremation facility, added in 1996, providing direct control over the cremation process.
- Team with over 200 years of combined experience in funeral service.
- Family-owned and operated business with a multi-generational legacy.
- Transparent pricing for various service packages, including simple cremation, cremation with celebration, and casketed funeral services.
- Comprehensive pre-planning options, including an online planning tool and detailed checklist.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Green Burials
- · Traditional Burial Services
Cremation
- · Cremation Services
- · Direct Cremation
- · Casketed Viewing Followed By Cremation
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Specializations
- · Veteran services
- · Green burial
- · Pet services
- · Certified Celebrant
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic.
EverSettled · After the Veteran Funeral
The veteran's spouse may qualify for VA Dependency & Indemnity Compensation.
DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses, dependent children, and (in some cases) parents of veterans whose death is service-connected. EverSettled walks veteran families through DIC eligibility, survivor pension, life-insurance claims, probate, and the federal-account paperwork that follows.
Begin Veteran Estate SettlementHow honors are coordinated
Military funeral honors are guaranteed at no cost for any veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. The funeral home arranges the honors detail by contacting the deceased's last unit or the nearest active-duty installation of the appropriate branch and submitting the DD-214 to verify eligibility.
For requests less than 72 hours from service time, families can call the Department of Defense's expedited honors line at 1-877-MIL-HONR (1-877-645-4667). See the full honors protocol.