Veteran's Services / Military Funerals

Why Do More Families Trust Us to Care for their Veteran?

We are known for our compassionate, caring and thoroughly professional staff, and have years of experience in planning military funeral services. Whether your family chooses cremation or burial for your loved veteran, we will be proud to take care of all the details involved.

We are Proud to Honor Those Who Served

Without a doubt, the professional staff at Bergen Jewish Chapel, feels pride when we are able to care for a veteran and their family. It is our way of expressing gratitude for their service to this country.

We are committed to taking care of all the details involved in providing the veteran in your life with deeply meaningful and honoring ceremonies. If your loved one is buried in a VA national cemetery, a state veterans cemetery or a private cemetery, we ensure that all veterans receive the military funeral honors they are entitled to.

Bergen Jewish Chapel can:

• Complete applications for all veterans’ benefits, including Military Honors, Presidential Memorial Certificate and veteran memorial marker or headstone
• Confirm and coordinate any existing paid pre-plan funding benefits which may cover any expenses deemed ineligible by the Veterans Administration
• Coordinate necessary documentation provided by family to request honors
• Coordinate with national or state veterans’ cemeteries

You will receive:

• The professional services of Funeral Director and support staff
• Transfer the deceased and professional care
• Cremation services
• Use of our mortuary facilities and staff for a visitation or gathering
• A funeral or memorial ceremony
• Use of automotive equipment
• Online interactive memorial website
• Additional personalization options, including specialized engraving, a moving tribute video

To learn more about how we can serve you, please call one of our Funeral Directors. We will be honored to speak with you.

Who is Eligible?

In short, the veteran must have been honorably discharged. Military funeral honors are available to eligible members of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and National Guard. A more detailed list of those service men and women who may apply for, and receive veterans' burial benefits, with full military honors, as set forth by the Department of Defense, if they choose would include

• Military members who died while on active duty or in the Selected Reserve
• Former military members who served on active duty or in the Selected Reserve and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions
• Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions
• If your loved one is qualified for funeral honors, please notify your Dignity Memorial funeral director that you are interested in having a funeral service complete with military honors. We recommend giving at least 48 hours' notice, if possible, to give our professionals time to organize the ceremony.

If you have any questions about your eligibility or that of a family member, contact the staff of one of our locations or send us an email using our contact form.

What could be included in a Military Funeral?

Military funeral honors are a dignified ceremony and final demonstration of deep gratitude to those who have faithfully defended our country.

U.S. law mandates the rendering of military funeral honors for an eligible veteran, if requested by the family, at no cost by the Department of Defense. Our staff at Bergen Jewish Chapel will provide assistance if you request military funeral honors and we will ensure the following benefits are made available:

Folding and presentation of the flag

This esteemed military funeral custom, the folding and presentation of the flag is provided to your family at no cost. All veterans receiving military honors are entitled by law to a minimum of 2 members of the Armed Forces as their honor guard detail. At least one of the honor guard members will be from the veteran’s service branch. The representative of the veteran’s parent service branch will present the flag to the next of kin or, if none is available, a designated friend.

Playing of “Taps”

The playing of “Taps” is an emotionally moving and patriotic military funeral tradition. As buglers are becoming increasingly rare, a ceremonial bugle may be used in lieu of a live performance of “Taps.” A high-quality recording of “Taps” performed at Arlington National Cemetery during a service was made and is discreetly hidden in the bell part of a bugle. The service member holds the ceremonial bugle as though being played. This tool offers both the image and beautiful rendition of “Taps” being performed in honor of the veteran. If you would prefer, Bergen Jewish Chapel personnel can assist you in locating a local musician to perform “Taps.”

Provision of a headstone or marker

The Veterans Administration can provide a headstone, marker or medallion without cost at the request of the veteran’s family. Bergen Jewish Chapel professionals can assist you with this request as well. However, although the headstone or marker has no cost, there may be a cost associated with placing the tribute if done in a private cemetery.

Please feel free to contact one of our Funeral Directors to discuss your loved veteran's funeral services.  We would be honored to speak with you. Someone is available 24/7 to answer our phones.