I am posting this so that perhaps cemetery management makes the necessary changes. On 10/26/23 my…read moremother passed away and on 10/30/23 she was laid to rest in the grave that my father was laid to rest back in 1999 at Holy Cross Cemetery. My sister contacted the Cemetery to have Christmas wreaths placed at the grave of our parents and another one at our nephews grave also located at Holy Cross Cemetery. On Saturday 12/23/23 my sister and her daughter when to the cemetery. When they got to the grave of our parents the wreath was place on the decaying flowers that were never cleaned up since my mother was laid to rest two months ago. When they went to the grave of our nephew there was no wreath. The cost to have the cemetery place a wreath is $55.00 / wreath. My sister emailed the cemetery because the office on the cemetery grounds was closed on Saturday 12/23/23. Naturally, there was no response on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day but, you would expect a response on Tuesday 12/26/23. The Cemetery never responded. My sister call the Cemetery and a woman answered. My sister explained that the wreath placed at our parents grave was laid on top of dead flowers. She told my sister that they only clean twice a year and because my mother passed at the end of October the next cleaning is May. She also explained to my sister that the family should clean the dead flowers between cemetery cleanups. Then my sister explained that there was no wreath placed at our nephews grave. My sister was told that that was an oversight and they would refund $55.00. My questions: 1- If no one went to the Cemetery how would you know that the wreath you paid for wasn't provided? 2- If the family is responsible to clean up the grave sites between cemetery biannual cleanups, what's stopping me from raking the debris off my loved ones grave an onto someone else's grave? What's stopping me from placing the debris in a bag and taking it to the cemetery management office so they can store the debris until they do their biannual cleanup? 3- Why does the cemetery police have time to remove items from grave sites that they feel aren't appropriate? The cemetery police have time to remove Items like ballon's, teddy bear, etc. from grave sites but, they don't have time to clean dead flowers? I included a picture of the $55,00 wreath that the cemetery placed at our parents grave just so you can see what Holy Cross Cemetery feels is acceptable.

My grandparents are buried here. I didn't know them very well. I maybe spoke to them a handful of…read moretimes as a child even though they lived nearby. They were super old and senile. The funerals were nice. But I didn't feel any grief. Their house in East Brunswick was sold. Maybe demolished. These people are gone from the Earth without a trace. I'll let you in on a secret: I fear death, and the deaths of those I love. Death is the ultimate tragedy... a life of suffering is tough, but in most cases we can make things better. Death you can't fix. I won't romanticize death or martyrdom and drape them in metaphor. Death is real, it's brutal, it's tragic. You should be sad -- you should be afraid.

I cannot recommend Ruby Memorial strongly enough. Our family worked with Maryann Malek and her…read moreassistant, Patty. They made the most impossible time in our lives infinitely easier with exactly the right combination of skill, clear communication, compassion, and care. They were professional while also being completely human in our time of need. They catered to the needs of my sister's children with deep patience, grace, and love. I felt a wave of calm and comfort in their hands. They even helped us set up the room for her funeral and brought it to life with their own special touches and wealth of experience. Maryann held me every step of the way trying to coordinate things while I was in terrible pain. She is every good thing and your family will find itself in the most capable hands with Ruby Memorial. Every single person we interacted with there was truly exceptional. I will always think of them as a bright spot in an otherwise incredibly dark moment.

My father passed away in NJ. I was out of the state and found Ruby Memorial on Yelp. We made a call…read moreand spoke to Maryann. She was very pleasant to work with and very knowledgeable about the process. We flied in to NJ on a Sunday and our father was picked up and ready to go on Monday for us. After the viewing, we talked a little more and learned what to do next. Price was fair and up front. Cash and checks preferred, but they can take credit cards. They also helped us with obtaining certified copies of father's death certificate. Thank you Ruby Memorial for making life easy, especially so close to Thanksgiving during the pandemic. It is highly recommended for your local service.

Samantha Muro-Duvidzon, funeral director at Menorah Chapels, is truly exceptional. She was…read moreunderstanding, patient, and supportive throughout the entire process. I am not sure I would have been able to navigate such a difficult time without her steady guidance from start to finish. My late husband was Jewish, and while I am not, Samantha thoughtfully walked me through each tradition, explaining its meaning and significance. She made it possible for me to make respectful, informed decisions that honored Jewish funeral customs. Throughout, she was honest, compassionate, and never pushed unnecessary or costly additions. I highly recommend Menorah Chapels for their professionalism, care, and integrity during such an emotional time.

I am still haunted by the services provided during my mom's funeral last summer. I was greeted by a…read morebusinessman who expected to complete payments owed during this acute time of grief. Staff communication needs improvement in hopes of changing processes for future customers. My mom was made up to look like a clown. She was so beautiful without makeup and I never consented to this. So very disappointed. Would not recommend this chapel.

We dealt directly with Martin Goldstein. We thought it would be a positive experience working with…read morethe owner. That's specifically why I went to this place. It was my choice. What a mistake! An absolute NO! One of the worst business experiences of my life. Mr. Goldstein knew my parent was a proud Veteran. We met with him 2 weeks before the passing and specifically told him that. And they were living in a Veterans' Home. No way to miss the fact of them being a Veteran. Meanwhile, when it was time for the funeral, the American flag was missing from covering the casket, a glaring omission and very upsetting to those in attendance. As a mourner, the child, I never received the standard laminated document that is usually handed out listing the yahrzeit dates for the future. When I later called and made a simple request for the yahrzeit laminated sheet, included as part of funeral cost, I was literally yelled at by Martin Goldstein for some reason. In his screaming, out of the blue, he said the following, screaming at the top of his voice through the phone: "You're not my mother." I don't know what he was talking about. I was making a simple request. The man has very, very serious anger management and other issues.

It has taken me a year to complete my mourning for my mother but now I have I want to share my my…read moreprofound disgust and sadness about was not placed into the casket prior to her internment. When my mother, Susan Farber made her arrangements for her funeral she made it very clear to Mr. Goldstein that she wanted her hearing aids, false teeth, and glasses to be placed in the casket with her. In fact when I spoke to him on the day of my mothers passing he said please bring those items because my mother especially mentioned she wanted them with her. I brought them to you that day 10/21/22 and left them in his care! Upon arriving to the cemetery on the day of the funeral your employee gave me a bag with what I presumed was just the yarzeit candle. It was only after the funeral and I internment that I looked in the bag and was absolutely horrified to see that the last physical request my mother made of me was not met. The hearing aids, teeth and glasses were still in the bag. I felt violated. You knew this was important to my mother so in turn was important to me. I immediately called Mr. Goldstein and his answer was to say leave the items in the office and he would bury them the next day. I was disgusted that he thought I'd leave it that to him. He began yelling and said what do I want him to do? I wanted him to do his job. I went back to the cemetery and unfortunately the items could not be put with my mother in the casket because that would require an exhumation. I could only settle for having the items buried near her. It is not what she or I wanted or requested. The lack of professionalism and follow through did not meet what my mothers or my expectations. Beware of your expectations of Goldsteins Funerals as you will be gravely disappointed