Veteran services at Santella Funeral Home
Santella Funeral Home serves veteran families in Altoona, PA with military funeral planning. In its own description, the home mentions flag presentation, VA benefits paperwork, and government headstones. On-site amenities include family chapel and chapels, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $2,545 for basic burial and $2,500 for direct cremation. The non-declinable service fee is $1,900. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
The home lists these veteran-related services: veterans information, traditional burial, cremation, and memorial service. Ask the director which of them they arrange directly.
Facilities on site include family chapel, chapels, urn garden, columbarium, and scattering gardens.
The nearest veterans cemetery that isn't listed as closed is Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery in MD, about 56 miles from Santella 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.
We list about 1,623 funeral homes in Pennsylvania. Only some of them name military funeral honors or VA benefits help among their services.
Frequently asked questions
Does Santella Funeral Home publish funeral prices?
Santella Funeral Home has not posted a full price list online. Under the FTC Funeral Rule it must provide itemized pricing on request, so call (814) 943-0971 and ask how VA burial benefits apply.
Where is Santella Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Santella Funeral Home is located at 1106 8Th Avenue in Altoona, PA. You can reach the home at (814) 943-0971. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Santella Funeral Home offer veteran families?
Santella Funeral Home provides grief support, veterans information, pre-arrangements, traditional burial, cremation, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Santella Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?
In its own description of its veteran services, Santella Funeral Home mentions flag presentation, VA benefits paperwork, and government headstones. Ask the home how VA burial benefits apply to your family.
Which faith traditions does Santella Funeral Home accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic families, among others.
What sets Santella Funeral Home apart
- Free tours and presentations on local history, offered by Mr. and Mrs. Santella, showcasing community appreciation and historical significance.
- Collection of antique cars, including Guido Santella's restored 1956 Cadillac Fleetwood Limo and 1958 Cadillac Fleetwood Hearse, and a 1966 Fleetwood Cadillac from the late Leslie E. Axe.
- Owners Guido and Deborah Santella are both licensed funeral directors, working together in the profession since 1977.
- Guido J. Santella's active involvement in scouting, having received the Eagle Scout Award, and serving as Assistant Scout Master with Troop 49.
- Partnership with Homesteader’s Life Company, with Mr. and Mrs. Santella being licensed insurance agents to offer pre-funded funeral arrangements.
- Partnership with Treasured Memories Community Funding to help families create free fundraisers for funeral expenses.
Military and veteran services listed
Burial and cremation services
Burial
- · Traditional Burial
Cremation
- · Cremation
On-site facilities
Affiliations and specialties
Industry affiliations
- · Keystone Funeral Director’s Association
- · Pennsylvania Funeral Director Associations
- · National Funeral Director Associations
- · Blair County Historical Society
- · Blair County Antique Auto Club
- · Mary Queen of Angels Secular Franciscan Fraternity
- · Homesteader’s Life Company
- · Treasured Memories Community Funding
Specialties
- · Veteran Services
- · Pre-Need Cremation Arrangements
- · Pre-Funding Funerals
- · Antique Car Displays
- · Local History Education
- · Fundraising Assistance
Religious traditions and languages
Religious traditions served: Catholic. Languages spoken at the home: English.
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.