Veteran services at Staples Funeral Service
Staples Funeral Service in Gardiner, ME supports veteran families with military funeral arrangements. In their own words: "Staples Funeral Service provides assistance with veterans' benefits, including eligibility verification through DD Form 214, and securing a United States flag for burial or memorial services. They help families understand the requirements for burial flags, which are available to veterans who served during wartime, died on active duty after May 27, 1941, served after January 31, 1955, or were honorably discharged from peacetime service before June 27, 1950, due to disability. The funeral home also helps families navigate potential financial assistance for burial costs and special memorial keepsakes." On-site amenities include private chapel, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $3,960 for basic burial and $1,475 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.
Veteran-related services offered include cremation care, burial services, immediate burial, memorial services, graveside services, and cremation services. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
On-site facilities of note include private chapel. These spaces accommodate full military honors details, family gatherings before and after the service, and the placement of the United States flag during the visitation period.
The nearest VA national cemetery is Central Maine Veterans Cemetery - Civic Center Dr in ME, approximately 10 miles from Staples Funeral Service. Staples Funeral Service can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Maine has approximately 133 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Staples Funeral Service is among them.
Frequently asked questions
Does Staples Funeral Service publish funeral prices?
Staples Funeral Service has not posted a full price list online. Under the FTC Funeral Rule it must provide itemized pricing on request — call (207) 582-3102, and ask how VA burial benefits apply.
Where is Staples Funeral Service located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Staples Funeral Service is located at 53 Brunswick Avenue in Gardiner, ME. You can reach the home at (207) 582-3102. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Staples Funeral Service offer veteran families?
Staples Funeral Service provides cremation care, burial services, immediate burial, visitation, funeral service, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Staples Funeral Service help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Staples Funeral Service provides assistance with veterans' benefits, including eligibility verification through DD Form 214, and securing a United States flag for burial or memorial services. They help families understand the requirements for burial flags, which are available to veterans who served during wartime, died on active duty after May 27, 1941, served after January 31, 1955, or were honorably discharged from peacetime service before June 27, 1950, due to disability. The funeral home also helps families navigate potential financial assistance for burial costs and special memorial keepsakes.
Which faith traditions does Staples Funeral Service accommodate?
Staff coordinate services for Catholic, Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist, Nazarene families, among others.
What sets Staples Funeral Service apart
- Established in 1928, it was the first funeral home in Gardiner, Maine.
- Historically provided Gardiner's first invalid coach (ambulance service) and held a contract for the U.S. Veterans Facility at Togus.
- Offers a personalized 'Remember Page' for online tributes, allowing family and friends to share stories and photos.
- Provides specialized grief support resources, including guidance for helping children cope with loss.
- Assists with both Veterans Benefits and Social Security Benefits paperwork and eligibility.
- The facility is designed in a Cape Cod Colonial style, featuring a private chapel that can expand to accommodate up to 150 guests.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Burial Services
- · Immediate Burial
- · Graveside Services
- · Committal Services
- · Interment
- · Green Burial
Cremation
- · Cremation Care
- · Cremation Services
- · Scattering Ashes
- · Multiple Urns
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Industry affiliations
- · The Arbor Day Foundation
- · Family First Funeral Homes
Specializations
- · Cremation Care
- · Honoring Veterans
Religious traditions & languages
Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist, Nazarene, Foursquare, Nondenominational.
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.