Communication horrible and then threaten bc of emergency that would not be able to bury my loved…read moreone??? CEMENTARY SAID THATS RIDICULOUS.

Grandfather was buried here in 2007. Two things stand out that make me not even want to give them…read moretwo stars: -They took on a very circuitous route (local roads) when we could have taken the highway and been there in 15 minutes for the actual burial. Due to this, half of our funeral procession got lost and didn't even go to the burial and straight to the reception after. This is not reason #1 of #2 why I was annoyed, though. -At the actual funeral, they had the nerve to approach my father (whose father we were burying) with a bill. Beyond unacceptable. We had been going to this funeral home for years apparently, but that alone is enough for me to ever want to go there again. They also turned the lights out on us when we were outside talking after the wake was over the night before, which was very childish too. Could have just came out and told us it was time to leave. We were paying them thousands of dollars for a nice setup, and that is the treatment we got? Obnoxious.

I don't know for how long they've been in business, but it seems as if it has been forever, at…read moreleast to my memory. I grew up in the area and I can't remember a time when they didn't exist. The housing development standing behind their establishment now used to be a large empty field way back when. My grade school (Packanack) is just a stone's throw away, across Ratzer Rd. The Catholic Church my oldest friend had to attend as a kid is also directly across the street (when I briefly flirted with the idea of converting to Catholicism but had trouble with the idea of confessing my deepest transgressions and sins to a celibate priest I didn't know, I asked my friend what he used to confess to when he went to confession, and he said, "I made stuff up."). My 1st job at 13 was delivering Wayne Today newspapers up Ratzer Rd. in the opposite direction from Vander May (I was a scrawny nerd trying to maneuver my ramshackle bicycle up the heavily traveled roadway with a heavy canvas bag of newspapers on my shoulder in all kinds of bad weather). Still, I've only been inside Vander May twice, and never had to arrange a funeral for one of my relatives here. When my oldest friend's mother died...a kind, sweet woman I had known all my life practically...her wake/funeral was held here. I hadn't had much experience with funeral homes at that point, but everything proceeded as it's supposed to, in a professional and respectful way. My main memory of that day is seeing my friend's mother in death, and maybe for the first time confronting the reality of mortality. People you grew up around and came to love weren't going to be here forever, no matter how much you wanted to deny that bitter fact, or retreat from it. Years later, my friend's father passed, and his wake/funeral was also held at Vander May. I was older, my mother was dying torturously of cancer, and this was the man who had once referred to me as "his 3rd son," so maybe it hit me harder than it might have under different circumstances, but at his wake, I had to leave abruptly, as I started crying like a little kid. I rode up Ratzer Rd., past my old school, past where he had lived and raised his family, with tears streaming down. He was a unique man, in my experience--- very tough, a man who had been hardened by life, but maintained a good heart and spirit in spite of all that. He once owned 3 bars in Paterson, and knew a wide variety of people: actors, politicians, policemen, mobsters. His opinions of them weren't always what you would expect-- he didn't like Lou Costello, was supportive of crooked political boss Joe Bozzo, and thought mob boss Willie Moretti was a good guy (in his younger years, he palled around with Moretti's nephew, and once told me that Moretti had built a dollhouse for his daughter that was "as big as the room we're sitting in right now."). He also knew FBI agent Joe Pistone aka Donnie Brasco, who infiltrated the Bonanno crime family in NYC and was the subject of a movie starring Johnny Depp. In fact, Pistone arranged for my friend's father and his friend (my friend's godfather-- real godfather, not Mario Puzo's version) to have bit parts in the movie. (My friend's father grew impatient with the movie making process and didn't stick around, but my friend's godfather remained, and you can see him briefly in the scene where Depp and Mike Madsen walk through a room where flunkies are counting gambling proceeds.) Because of the emotional turmoil I was going through at the time with my mother's situation and the death of my friend's father, I was in a bit of a daze, but I do remember that...once again...everything was handled in a professional and compassionate manner. I remember my friend giving the eulogy for his father, something I would never have had the grit or strength to do. There's ample parking, and my last memory of Vander May is walking out to my car as we were to proceed to the cemetery. I remember seeing a familiar looking guy with sunglasses standing in the parking lot, and later, I asked my friend, "Was that guy in the parking lot who I thought it was?" "Yeah," my friend answered, "It was Pistone. He came to pay his respects." I guess the bottom line is that if you're in business for as long as Vander May has been, you're obviously doing something right, whether you're running a store, a restaurant, or a funeral home. I would imagine that successfully running a funeral home can be uniquely daunting. In addition to conducting the nuts-and-bolts business aspects of it, you have to deal sensitively, compassionately and professionally with a wide variety of people facing the often unexpected, tragic loss of loved ones, the harsh reality and finality of death, the accompanying emotions of grief and despair, pain and trauma, good memories and bad ones. My experiences with Vander May haven't been direct in the sense that I've had to arrange funerals here myself for loved ones, but I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them to anyone.

Go here for a funeral for your loved one! Charlie and the staff did an amazing job working with me…read morethrough this difficult process. The constant graceful communication and patience despite all my questions at all hours of the night and many requests was greatly appreciated. I was worried that I wouldn't have sufficient photos collages and they went above and beyond even surprising me with custom creations that I will likely frame or use again at an annual memorial celebration. The attention to detail and quality helped to facilitate a beautiful tribute to my father. While the overall process felt like an intense wedding to plan, Charlie directed the process with grace and tact each step of the way providing me with some comfort and reassurance as I wanted perfection for this final walk down the aisle with my dad. The Cemetary and church were also coordinated by Charlie and he made this easy as there were multiple moving pieces. The morning of I was a little upset because some of the posters I printed were too large and weren't laying right but Gareth went to the rescue and was able to trim the edge and posted it on a hard board so it would be perfect. I loved the photo handouts for all guests and the laminated cards and laminated obituary. They offered quality touches that I haven't seen at Vander Platt which is where I was trying to originally go. Everything happens for a good reason. I'm happy I landed here for my dads funeral/wake. They give you a checklist and make everything easy for you...there are SO many decisions to make. Even the donation cards were a nice touch. They provided me with an extra glass bowl so I could supply gum for guests and accommodated my every need and question. I loved the program and directions that were provided to the guests. Also, they packaged up everything extra in a neat bag with a bow and provide an unlimited number of custom thank you cards. This place is top notch and I'm SO GLAD I put my trust in Charlie and the staff at Vander May! Thank you for a beautiful day to remember my dad!

[886] 4-2-2019…read more This funeral home is located on a busy but easy accessible street in Totowa. Plenty of parking in back and the side lot. The staff is very friendly. They guided me on where to go and park during the funeral ceremony My friend had her dad's service here and she was very impressed with the staff and help provided. She is not on yelp but wanted to make sure you knew that the staff was great when she made all the arrangements. Definitely a place I would recommend if needed.

Recently used Festa for the passing of my learning disabled cousin. I did this remotely as I live…read morein Washington, D.C. They took care of everything fabulously! At first I wanted him cremated then changed my mind last minute. No problem they took care of it immediately. When I went up for the burial, Charlie, the representative, was wonderful! Very caring and said some prayers at the gravesite because I had elected not to have a priest. I see some bad reviews here but in my experience I would not hesitate to use them. They were very caring and very responsive to my needs. The reason I used them was one of my cousins caregivers recommended them. She has been a hospice care giver for 20 plus years so I figured her recommendation was solid. It was!

Obviously it is a little sad to be reviewing a funeral home. As we know the reason for our visits…read more Nice decor and ambiance like a comfortable living room. They have four viewing rooms. Staff is very attentive and caring. Professional skills are excellent on their duties. Good parking lots and confortable surroundings.

I have been in many funeral homes and I must say Brown and Son does not compare. I was shocked at…read morethe substandard job they did on my niece. The family had to cover her eyes with sunglasses. Her face was black and blue. It was very disturbing. When lines of people were exiting the funeral home several male employees were laughing and joking around. I thought that was in bad taste. I would not use this funeral home.

My wife and I unfortunately needed to use Shook's for both of our mother's passing within two…read moremonths. Joe Wood was extremely helpful during this difficult time. He answered all of of questions and had great recommendations for issues we had not considered. The whole staff at Shook's are all top notch. We were very pleased with there services.

Not a review I would have ever wanted to write but feel compelled to acknowledge the outstanding…read moreservice and compassion that Shooks provided my family. Joe Shook and Joe the funeral director were impressively professional. They followed our lead on what mom wanted and made suggestions along the way. They made the planning and arrangement process stress free. During the services they made themselves available for whatever questions we had or anything we needed. They weren't over and above to make sure we were comfortable. The day of the funeral we were kept informed every step of the way. Thank you for your compassion at this very difficult time. If in immediate need or are pre-planning you can't go wrong with Shooks

Many years ago a family member had chosen this location in preparation to her terminal illness. The…read moreprocess was so smooth my grandma asked us to assure when her time came that we go through them as well. Years later as her time was approaching we came and met with the gentleman there. No death is easy. The preparation of one is truly by far difficult. Yet, this place was sensitive and professional all together. Returned last week for a family friend. The sibling whom handled all the arrangements had such a relief with how this place handled her loved ones death. There is street parking along with parking in the back. Look out for street parking signs. The place itself is a very clean home. Sufficient seating in all rooms.

Mr. Thiele personally ensured that everything was in order, every single step of the way. My entire…read morefamily was very impressed with his services and I would recommend this Funeral Home to anyone reading this review.

I would definitely recommend All Faith Monuments for anyone wanting to purchase a cemetery stone…read more They are very nice and do great work. When they made my parents stone 8 years ago, because I live out of state, they had the stone finished before I left so I could see it in person. When they added my father's death date to the stone this year they went above and beyond with the stone with cleaning it and making the stone better. Thank you so much, Carol !! I would definitely recommend them.

This place was "GREAT" when I lost my father. They helped me with everything and made a difficult…read moreprocess easy. I can't thank them enough!

It's hard to review a funeral home. My review is not for the location. This is a review of their…read moreservice. I can't say enough of the stellar service we received for My dad's funeral. They answered all questions at all times of the day. They with us at all times. If we needed adjustments , they did it. The way they prepared his body for viewing. He looked like himself a few years back. A perfect color match and he looked healthier than when he passed. I can't explain it. He looked like dad. Our service ran long and they didn't rush us. He was able secure police escort through the towns all the way to his resting place. Lou was the best. My mom has already told us she wants them to be in charge of her arrangements.

I suspect like most people, I never thought of using a funeral home until you are faced with it; in…read moremy case, unexpectedly. The unthinkable time that we all have to go through at some point was made much easier on me and my mom by the professionals at Stellato. I appreciate how they took care and time to make sure things were done right. Thank you for helping us through the most difficult of times. We truly appreciate your help and guidance.