The McDonough Funeral Home

Veteran services at The McDonough Funeral Home

The McDonough Funeral Home in Lowell, MA supports veteran families with military funeral arrangements. In their own words: "McDonough Funeral Home assists families with applying for burial flags and other veteran benefits, requiring discharge papers for processing." On-site amenities include on-site chapel, reception lounge, and parking area, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies. Published pricing lists $5,695 for basic burial and $3,620 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs.

Veteran-related services offered include cremation and burial arrangements. 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 on-site 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.

Published pricing at The McDonough Funeral Home: direct cremation from $3,620. That places direct cremation roughly 35% above 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 36 miles from The McDonough Funeral Home. The McDonough 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. The McDonough Funeral Home is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What does a funeral at The McDonough Funeral Home cost for veteran families?

From its published general price list, direct cremation starts at $3,620. 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 The McDonough Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?

The McDonough Funeral Home is located at 14 Highland St. in Lowell, MA. You can reach the home at (978) 458-6816. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.

What services does The McDonough Funeral Home offer veteran families?

The McDonough Funeral Home provides funeral planning, cremation, burial arrangements, pet loss, bereavement support, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Does The McDonough Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?

McDonough Funeral Home assists families with applying for burial flags and other veteran benefits, requiring discharge papers for processing.

Which faith traditions does The McDonough Funeral Home accommodate?

Staff coordinate services for Catholic families, among others.

What sets The McDonough Funeral Home apart

Five generations of continuous family operation since 1885.
Established as Lowell's first Catholic home-style funeral home in 1923.
Early adoption of telephone services, making their phone available for community emergencies.
Leadership in integrating technology into funeral services, recognized by Time Digital magazine.
Advocacy for fair wages and hour protection for funeral home employees.
Commitment to community service and assisting families regardless of financial ability.

Burial & cremation services

Burial

· Burial Arrangements

Cremation

· Cremation

On-site facilities

· On-site Chapel

· Arrangement Lounge

· Reception Lounge

· Rose Room

· Grand Hallway

· Gold Room

· Parking Area

· Wide Driveway

Affiliations & specializations

Industry affiliations

· Lowell Telecommunications
· East End Club
· Lowell Lodge of Elks B.P.O.E 87
· Lowell Plan
· 100 Club of Massachusetts
· Funeral Service Professional Association
· National Funeral Directors Association
· Massachusetts Funeral Directors Association

Specializations

· Catholic Funeral Home

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 Settlement

How 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.