My grandfather's ashes are in the mausoleum here. Restland is always pleasant to visit. The grounds…read moreare well maintained, and the indoor visiting facility's always clean, and quiet.

I have many family members laid here and I walk my dog here all the time. Very peaceful and quite…read moreand usually almost no one there. Grounds are well maintained.

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

I attended A wake for Tommy Page, here. They were very friendly, secure and the rooms were…read morebeautiful They had a good parking lot, but there were a lot of attendees Tommy looked as beautiful as can be, so many flowers surrounding my friend. I couldn't get a chance to even look for mine -a lot of traffic But this was a sweet little funeral home. I was very happy that the staff closed his casket in fear someone would snap a photo. That was thoughtful of them to protect the family's privacy Thank you for laying my friend out peacefully and beautifully

in the last week I recently lost my mother which is one of…read morethe most difficult times anyone can endure in life. After calling four different funeral homes we decided to go with Galante Funeral Home in Caldwell. Not only were they reasonably priced, they were also kind and considerate to our needs. Within two days of her passing we had the most beautiful mass at St. Raphael's Church in Livingston, then to Gates of Heaven in East Hanover with a 40 car motorcade, where the Livingston Police Department helped us stay together at the Livingston circle. All this in ONE day of preparations, all this with Galante Funeral Home. Steve and staff are the Best!

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!

On Friday, February 6, 2026, my family laid to rest my dear sister, resting in peace next to her…read morebeloved husband. Driving into the cemetery, after a rather long, arduous drive on parkway north, we entered a beautiful, peaceful catholic cemetery.. so lovely, I thought. Unfortunately, I had to deal with two women working in the cemetery office. As we approached the counter, the workers took their sweet time to address us. Then unfortunately, this troll-like woman, whom I believe was Lydia, rummaged through our paperwork with much distain and rudeness. She was without a doubt, the most ignorant, and despicable person I unfortunately had to encounter. Believe me, these were especially trying times for myself and family. However, the other employee came to the counter and resolved the issue, which I might add, was caused by their office giving the funeral director of Evergreen Funeral Home, Middletown,NJ., incorrect or not specific requirements needed for the paperwork. Here's a thought Lydia, if you are so unhappy being employed by the Archdiocese, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, in which you deal with bereaved families , you should seek employment more suitable to your demeanor and personality...such as a garbage depot. ja

Want to say "Thank You" to Father Joe, the new Chaplain at the cemetery. When I dropped by the…read moreMausoleum to say a prayer in the chapel I noticed a table set up near the entrance where Father Joe had a sign introducing himself as the Chaplain, offering to say a prayer for those whose names could be written on paper provided and asking visitors to take one of the crosses on a mirror on the table. I planned to return to the Mausoleum after visiting the graves of my relatives to get a cross before leaving. While I was at the gravesite of a loved one, a car pulled up and Father Joe introduced himself. He requested that I write a name down of a loved one who he could pray for and he gave me a Holy Spirit Pin to hold onto. He felt like so genuine a human being and meeting him lifted my spirits and felt so comforting. Father Joe seems like a truly welcome addition to Gate of Heaven and it is so wonderful to personally experience how he is making himself available for spiritual guidance to visitors

My loved one, Martin, passed away almost a year ago now - 11.24.21. I've had questions come up…read moreduring that time and Doug, the funeral director, has always been more than kind in helping out. The service at the time was done beautifully and as I asked. They even let me include our dogs (in crates, of course). When I tell you that this memorial home has gone way above and beyond the service and kindness you would want, they really have. I went to a few other places before deciding on Madison Memorial Home and believe me when I tell you, this is the one you want. Other places rushing you, trying to get you sign or agree to things while you're in the middle of crying, Literally. Doug and his staff did None of that. They were kind, patient and respectful. I hope your family never has a need for services like this, but if you do, this is the place you want.

Doug and his Wife handled EVERY detail of our Father's funeral with grace and poise and beauty…read more They made us completely comfortable. And the remembrance service/wake/funeral was personalized and beautiful. Our family and friends were all so pleased. They handled our Father with Love and Care, and made all of us feel welcome and helped us through this entire Life event. We all HIGHLY recommend Madison Memorial Home. Thank -you, Doug, and everyone at Madison Memorial Home, for such a wonderful experience as we said goodbye to our Dear Dad. Everything was handled with elegance and style, while honoring our Dad's specific personality and Loves. Thank-you, Madison Memorial Home. -The family of Thomas J. Murphy

Hopefully this review helps at a time of need... Over a year…read moreago. My grandmother passed and we I have to say, that the care received here was top notch. Plenty of parking, beautiful service, she looked like she was asleep etc. We were so happy to have worked with them. I had gifts received that day and theu were able to move the flowers, food etc into a separate room. I am so grateful for angels that exist such as the owners and workers of the place. Italian, sicilian friendly . Cemetary down the way.