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!

I would never like to recommend a cemetery. That is because you have lost a loved friend or…read morefamily. It's very had to go to any cemetery. It means I have to leave my loved one there in a hole covered in dirt. The service they provided was ok. We couldn't see the actual burial site because the ground was safe to stand on. I'm not sure how much they charge for the burial plot and don't want to know now. This a process we must go through life. I'm so tired of people dying it's not funny.

Funeral parlor has been calling for over 5 days and answering service answers Phone and no call backread more

lilee john. omg ...u r sooo freaking right!!everything u said is exactly right.....this is the…read moreworst experience everrrr.they were rude ,drunk,very non professional ,to top off they dropped the casket w my motherinlaw inside (so sorry u had to go threw that .love u)).but they also dropped the flowers .famiky members had to help basically bury(put her down ,like this is not even a movie .we have witnesses .n video...this was everyones last time seeing her n for this to happen .....excuse me but hellll no....im looking to contact a lawyer this happened in january 2019 n i feel n see this everyday still ...please help ....i need to know how to get further ....my email is dbestofdabest@gmail.com......ive never experienced something like this everrr.

Steven and his staff were so helpful Thru such a painful…read moretime for our family. He walked us thru the process and listened to any concerns we had. Will def recommend the funeral home to others in their time of need. Thanks again Steve

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Steve Priola and his team. My second Daughter was born…read morestill, devastated we reached out to Steve. This was a very tough time for our family and Steve took excellent care of us. Steve handled everything top to bottom and made sure we were comfortable with what we had chosen. He's compassionate, responsive, reliable, knowledgeable (the list goes on) but most importantly he is there with you til the end. Thank you so much for everything. The services were beautiful and we are so grateful for everything that you did.

If a zero star was an option that is what I would give. This funeral home has been nothing but a…read morehassle and just cost my MIL's last wishes to not come to fruition. My MIL passed in 2020 and at the time we had her cremated and her ashes prepared to travel abroad to scatter in Ireland as she wished. We are finally making the trip and called because now that our children are older they asked to keep some ashes to be made into jewelry. We asked the funeral home what the process was to have the box resealed and certified. The woman I spoke with said we can take out what was needed and bring it in and they will send it to the crematorium to be sealed and certified and would take 2-3 days and be aprox $50. We opened the box and took out what we needed and now are being told the crematorium won't reseal and certify it because it's been more than a year. The woman knew it's been 5 years when we spoke on the phone because she asked. There is so much more about this place I can write but I don't have hours to spare. I am truly heartbroken and aggravated at the constant lack of knowledge and compassion this home offers. My family and I have lived in LP for over 50 years and I will NEVER bring a loved on to them again! BEWARE!!!

I want to say that the level of professionalism at this location is subpar at best. First they are…read morevery quick with the paperwork and made it uncomfortable when having to make choices for services. If that wasn't bad enough the worst was yet to come. We arrived for our services to say our good byes and walk our grandmother to her seat before we even make to the chairs the gentleman, in front of my grandmother asks how are you going to pay for this. The very least you could request a meeting before we leave or wait until we have stopped crying before asking that kind of question. I have had services other locations and the cold heartedness of this location is awful. Please if you want a warm welcome or sympathy this IS NOT THE PLACE!!! Shame on you Joe

[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!