Mark your calendars to attend the special Veterans Day Ceremony

Musical performances by the Lynn School Band and tenor Brian Landry are featured, as well as a drill presentation by the Lynn English Marine Corps JrROTC.   All are invited. Light refreshments will be served. If you have questions, call the Lynn Department of Veterans' Services at 781-598-4000 or contact them by email.

Lynn Veterans' Service Agent, Michael Sweeney, has been in

Michael Sweeney, Veterans' Service Agent

Afghanistan since June, serving with his Army National Guard unit, 379th Engineer Company. The 160-member unit has deployed three times since September 11, 2001, but this was Michael's first trip.

Expected to serve overseas for about nine months, Michael's job is being filled by his assistant, Mary Cronin Lopresti, in his absence. Mary said, "Michael emails me every now and again, but he is rather busy right now."  Although she can't say much about how things are going in Afghanistan, she says, "We are all looking forward to Michael coming home.  We are holding down the fort for now and so far, doing well."   

Solimine Funeral Homes joined with Century 21 Hughes, and the North Shore Generals to donate money to send "care packages" to Michael's unit in Afghanistan.  LynnCAMTV filmed the effort to collect such items as mouthwash, over-the-counter medicines, and snacks.  Cal's News contributed reading material and Mailboxes and Much More organized and paid for the shipping of the packages oversees.  Sean Donahue, Operations Manager, at LynnCAMTV said, "Our video was designed to highlight just how easy it is to support our troops by sending a package to say, 'Thank you.'  It is our civic duty to do what we can to help the men and women of our military while they are away from home."   

The video can be seen on You Tube.  If you are interested in putting together packages for the troops oversees, visit  Operation Troop Support, the Soldier's Family or  Care Packs.

The Lynn Veterans' Services Department is a one-stop shop for veterans and their families for information and/or assistance in obtaining federal, state, or local veterans benefits. To learn more visit the Veterans' Services Department website or call Mary Cronin Lopresti at 781-598-4000.  

"How much does a funeral cost?"

There are so many ways to arrange a funeral that prices will vary greatly depending on your needs and choices. Your funeral director will work with you to create a memorable service within your budget.

One very important thing to remember is that funeral directors are required to give you a written, itemized price list for their products and services ... required, according to the "Funeral Rule"enforced by the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC says you're also entitled to a written price list of all caskets, including any lower-priced models that may not be on display.

The Funeral Rule allows funeral providers to charge a basic services fee that all customers pay. This basic services fee includes services that are common to all funerals, regardless of the specific arrangement. These include funeral planning, securing the necessary permits and copies of death certificates, preparing the notices, sheltering the remains, and coordinating the arrangements with the cemetery, crematory or other third parties. The fee does not include charges for optional services or merchandise.

Charges for other services and merchandise include costs for optional goods and services such as transporting the remains; embalming and other preparation; use of the funeral home for the visitation, ceremony or memorial service; use of equipment and staff for a graveside service; hearse or limousines; a casket, outer burial container or alternate container; and cremation or interment.

The funeral home may also incur expenses on your behalf for goods and services it buys from outside vendors, including flowers, obituary notices, pallbearers, officiating clergy, and organists and soloists. Some funeral providers add a service fee to the cost. The Funeral Rule requires those who charge an extra fee to disclose that fact in writing. They are also required to tell you if there are refunds, discounts, or rebates from the supplier on any cash advance item.

Joel Solimine said, "At Solimine Funeral Homes, we never charge an extra service fee for third-party expenses such as those outlined above.  Some of these costs may be estimated by the funeral home until we receive an invoice from the vendor with exact pricing, but we bill for actual costs for these third-party expenses."   

"Today, families are encouraged to arrange a funeral that is personalized to mesh with their traditions and personalities.  A funeral can include or exclude what could be considered "traditional" elements," Joel explained.  "A funeral can be designed to fit any budget, depending on your selection of services and merchandise. At Solimine Funeral Homes, all of our prices for services and merchandise can be found on our website.  We are one of the only funeral homes in our area to do this.  We believe in being completely "transparent" about our pricing so that you know in advance what the costs will be."

Keep in mind that you have many choices when planning a funeral. Your funeral director will explain all the options and help you to arrange a funeral that fits your budget and desires. In fact, you can pre-arrange for yourself or a family member so the decisions are made in advance and do not burden family-members during their time of grief.  Joel explained, "At Solimine Funeral Homes, we have several packages that make it easier for families to focus on what's important to them."

We will be pleased to send you a copy of our funeral planning guide. Call us at 781-595-1492 and we can send you one on request. We would also be pleased to send you cost information, including our general price list, or meet with you to explain our services in detail.   

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