Veteran services at O'Donnell Funeral Home
O'Donnell Funeral Home in Lowell, MA supports veteran families with military funeral arrangements. In their own words: "James F. O'Donnell & Sons Funeral Home provides specialized services for veterans, including assistance with Veterans Headstones and Veterans Burial Flags. They also arrange burial services with U.S. Military Honors." Published pricing lists $5,485 for basic burial and $2,285 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include cremation, direct burial, veterans services, veterans headstones, and veterans burial flags. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
Published pricing at O'Donnell Funeral Home: direct cremation from $2,285. That places direct cremation roughly 15% below the Massachusetts median ($2,677). 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 Massachusetts State Veterans Cemetery - Winchendon in MA, approximately 58 miles from O'Donnell Funeral Home. O'Donnell Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Massachusetts has approximately 579 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. O'Donnell Funeral Home is among them.
Frequently asked questions
What does a funeral at O'Donnell Funeral Home cost for veteran families?
From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $2,285. 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 O'Donnell Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
O'Donnell Funeral Home is located at 276 Pawtucket Street in Lowell, MA. You can reach the home at (978) 458-8768. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does O'Donnell Funeral Home offer veteran families?
O'Donnell Funeral Home provides traditional services, pre-arrangements, cremation, direct burial, medical donation to science, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does O'Donnell Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
James F. O'Donnell & Sons Funeral Home provides specialized services for veterans, including assistance with Veterans Headstones and Veterans Burial Flags. They also arrange burial services with U.S. Military Honors.
Which faith traditions does O'Donnell Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic families, among others.
What sets O'Donnell Funeral Home apart
- Four generations of continuous family ownership and operation since 1884.
- Owner James F. O'Donnell, Jr. holds significant leadership positions in state and national funeral director associations, including past President of the Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association and Massachusetts Representative to the National Funeral Directors Policy Board.
- Extensive community involvement of the owner in Lowell civic, healthcare, and cultural organizations.
- Specialization in facilitating medical donations to science, leveraging Boston's medical institutions.
- Offers comprehensive interstate transfer services for families relocating or returning loved ones to the Greater Lowell area.
- Provides a year-long daily grief support email service and obituary notification alerts.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Direct Burial
Cremation
- · Cremation
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association
- · National Funeral Directors Policy Board
Specializations
- · Veterans
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.