Veteran services at Thomas L Neilan & Sons
Thomas L Neilan & Sons in New London, CT supports veteran families with military funeral arrangements. In their own words: "Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Homes provides comprehensive services for honoring veterans, ensuring eligible individuals receive traditional military honors such as the folding and presentation of the American flag, the playing of Taps, and a three-volley rifle salute. They assist families with navigating veteran benefits, including obtaining Presidential Memorial Certificates, arranging for headstones or markers, securing memorial plots, and understanding burial expense reimbursements through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Eligibility is verified by the veteran’s DD-214 or discharge papers." Published pricing lists $3,820 for basic burial and $3,660 for direct cremation. Veterans may qualify for county or federal allowances toward these costs. What feedback exists is encouraging: 4.0 stars across 6 reviews.
Veteran-related services offered include memorial services, burial services, cremation services, and honoring veterans. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.
The nearest VA national cemetery is Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in CT, approximately 30 miles from Thomas L Neilan & Sons. Thomas L Neilan & Sons can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.
Connecticut has approximately 304 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Thomas L Neilan & Sons is among them.
Frequently asked questions
Does Thomas L Neilan & Sons publish funeral prices?
Thomas L Neilan & Sons has not posted a full price list online. Under the FTC Funeral Rule it must provide itemized pricing on request — call (860) 443-1871, and ask how VA burial benefits apply.
Where is Thomas L Neilan & Sons located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?
Thomas L Neilan & Sons is located at 12 Ocean Avenue in New London, CT. You can reach the home at (860) 443-1871. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.
What services does Thomas L Neilan & Sons offer veteran families?
Thomas L Neilan & Sons provides memorial services, burial services, cremation services, merchandise & personalization, honoring veterans, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.
Does Thomas L Neilan & Sons help veterans with VA burial benefits?
Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Homes provides comprehensive services for honoring veterans, ensuring eligible individuals receive traditional military honors such as the folding and presentation of the American flag, the playing of Taps, and a three-volley rifle salute. They assist families with navigating veteran benefits, including obtaining Presidential Memorial Certificates, arranging for headstones or markers, securing memorial plots, and understanding burial expense reimbursements through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Eligibility is verified by the veteran’s DD-214 or discharge papers.
How do families rate Thomas L Neilan & Sons?
Thomas L Neilan & Sons holds a 4.0-star rating across 6 Google reviews from local families and veterans.
What sets Thomas L Neilan & Sons apart
- Multi-generational family ownership and operation since 1923.
- Dedicated monument company, Ocean Monuments, offering personalized design and installation of memorials.
- Comprehensive veteran services, including assistance with military honors and VA benefits.
- Extensive grief support resources, including partnerships with national organizations and a '365 Days of Healing' email program.
- Ability to create personalized 'Life Tribute Videos' and custom stationery for services.
Military & veteran services offered
Burial & cremation services
Burial
- · Burial Services
Cremation
- · Cremation Services
On-site facilities
Affiliations & specializations
Specializations
- · Honoring Veterans
What families have said
Recent reviews from families who used Thomas L Neilan & Sons. Reviews are sourced from Google Places and shown verbatim — we do not edit or filter for sentiment.
“Extremely compassionate, professional, and dedicated -- a calming force when people are feeling their most vulnerable. My mother's service was handled perfectly at every stage. Highly recommended.”
“Our family has used Neilans Funeral Parlour for years and are always impressed with their professionalism and empathy. They really help you through a difficult time. Note: they have a phamplet which walks you through the readings, hymns, etc. I highly recommend obtaining this booklet prior to any anticipated death or een just to have filled out ahead of time and stored with your will. Thank you and your staff, Chris.”
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“It seems as though as soon as they get their payment they didn't care about the greiving family. They were aloof, and seemed to be in a hurry.”
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.