This month, Hopewell Memorial Home and Cremation Services is celebrating its first anniversary. The only funeral parlor in the Borough has served all members of the community for 65 years.
In December 2013, Todd Cohan purchased the former Cromwell-Immordino Memorial Home. The previous business was closing its doors, and after closing the sale Cohan spent the following eight months completely renovating the building.
A beliver in community, Cohan moved into the upstairs apartment, and his goal was to keep the funeral parlor, located on 71 Prospect Street, in Hopewell, and offer personalized service at reasonable prices.
“I bought this because the community needs a funeral home in town,” Cohan said. “We don’t ‘upsell’ people. To stay within budget you can have a cremation without embalming; you don’t have to have a viewing, you can have a memorial service.”
After Cohan purchased the property he completely overhauled the building.
“The entire building’s interior and furnishings were in desperate need of repair and replacement,” Cohan said. “Today, everything has been updated and replaced, resulting in a very clean and beautiful funeral home.”
Through Cohan and manager and funeral director Tim Reeg, Hopewell Memorial Home “offers a ‘non-commercial,’ more homelike atmosphere, resulting in a warm and friendly, family-oriented business, for the community of Hopewell and surrounding areas.”
Hopewell Memorial Home provides a wide variety of services, including cremation ceremonies, themed funerals and celebration funerals. Family members can view a full selection of caskets, urns, and vaults in their new showroom.
Purchase can also be made online, and Hopewell Memorial is planning on introducing funeral streaming later this year, allowing family members to attend services from all over the world. Cohan encourages family members to personalize the service.
The manager, Reeg, is a third generation funeral director who was employed by the former owners since the late 1990’s. Having witnessed many services over the years, several creative ones stick in his mind. He recalls a funeral where a Harley Davidson motorcycle was once wheeled next to the casket inside the funeral home. He has also seen antique cars used in the funeral procession. One time the antique Hopewell Fire Truck Engine 52 was used as a flower car.
“It is important to us to consult with each and every family member if possible, and educate them about their many options,” Cohan said. “Some people are unaware they can plan ahead, or they can choose a direct cremation with a small memorial service following. A request is rarely denied, as long as it is legal.”
With more people requesting to be cremated, as opposed to being buried, Hopewell Memorial Home has recently launched an online cremation site at PrincetonCremation.com. The site allows people to provide their information and pay via credit card or paypal.
Hopewell Memorial Home is a member of Choices, the NJ Trust Fund created to protect the finances of people who choose to make their own arrangements. Pre-arrangement funds go the trust fund and is not held by the individual funeral parlors. Those who move out of state can have New Jersey send the money to the new state. They serve Hopewell, Princeton, Pennington, and surrounding communities.
Hopewell Memorial Home and Cremation Services, 71 E. Prospect Street, Hopewell, NJ 08525. (609) 466-3632 hopewellmemorialhome.com
