Losing someone is heavy. It's a weight that doesn't just sit in your chest; it complicates every single decision you try to make for weeks. Honestly, when you're standing in the middle of Summit, New Jersey, looking for a place to honor a life, the options can feel like a blur of somber brick buildings and stiff suits. But there’s a specific history at 7 Summit Avenue that most people walking past the train station don't fully realize.
Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial isn't just another business in a town full of high-end boutiques and commuters. It’s a fixture. It's been there since 1952, when the Ippolito family took over what used to be McNamara’s Funeral Home. That’s over seven decades of being the "go-to" for families who have lived in the area for generations.
The Reality of Choosing a Funeral Home in Summit
People think all funeral homes are basically the same. They're not. Some are corporate-owned conglomerates where the person handling your paperwork is hundreds of miles away. Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial is different because it’s still deeply tied to the Ippolito family. Andrea Ippolito and the team there—like Michael Sztuk—aren't just staff. They’re neighbors.
If you’ve ever had to plan a service, you know the "General Price List" (GPL) is the most intimidating document on earth. At Ippolito, the basic services fee—the overhead that covers the director's time and professional advice—starts around $2,395. By the time you add in things like embalming ($925), a viewing ($1,395), and a hearse ($425), you're looking at a significant investment.
But here’s what most people get wrong: they think they have to follow a script.
You don’t.
👉 See also: Executive desk with drawers: Why your home office setup is probably failing you
Personalized Farewells vs. "The Way It's Always Been"
Ippolito has two large chapels and a location that’s basically a stone's throw from the Summit train station. This makes it incredibly convenient for guests coming in from NYC or elsewhere in Jersey. But the space itself is just a canvas.
I’ve seen families do some pretty incredible things there. We’re talking:
- Dove releases that actually feel spiritual rather than performative.
- Horse-drawn carriages winding through the streets of Summit for a truly old-world feel.
- High-end tribute videos that use the home's complimentary A/V equipment to tell a real story, not just a slideshow of static photos.
The staff sort of prides themselves on the "weird" requests. Want to display a vintage motorcycle in the chapel? They’ll figure out the logistics. Want a service that feels more like a cocktail party than a wake? They’ve done it.
What About Cremation?
There’s a huge misconception that choosing cremation means you don’t get a "real" funeral. That is total nonsense. In fact, many families at Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial opt for a full traditional viewing with a rental casket before the cremation happens. It gives people that chance to say goodbye face-to-face, which, let’s be real, is a huge part of the grieving process for most of us.
Direct cremation is an option too, usually starting around $2,975. It’s simpler, sure, but it doesn't mean the service is any less meaningful. You can still hold a memorial service later—without the body present—at the funeral home or even at a local restaurant or park.
✨ Don't miss: Monroe Central High School Ohio: What Local Families Actually Need to Know
A Legacy That Actually Matters
It’s easy to talk about "service" and "compassion," but in the funeral industry, those words get thrown around like confetti. To understand the Ippolito family, you have to look at the lineage. Paul Ippolito, III was a powerhouse in the community, serving on the NJ State Board of Mortuary Science and leading local organizations like the Lions Club and Unico.
That local involvement isn't just for show. It means when you call them at 3:00 AM because something terrible happened, the person on the other end of the line knows exactly where your street is. They know the local priests, the rabbis, and the florists. They know how the traffic patterns on Route 24 and I-78 are going to affect your funeral procession.
Practical Steps for Families in Summit
If you’re currently in the thick of it, or if you’re just one of those rare, organized people looking to pre-plan, here is how you actually handle this without losing your mind.
1. Don't shop on price alone, but do compare.
In Summit, you have other options like Bradley, Brough & Dangler. Their full-service burial might run closer to $11,000, while a similar package at Ippolito might hover around $8,500 depending on your casket choice. Get the price lists. Look at them side-by-side.
2. Visit the space.
Parking in Summit is a nightmare. Ippolito has ample on-site parking, which is a massive relief for older relatives who can't walk three blocks from a public garage. Walk inside. See if it feels like a place where you can actually breathe.
🔗 Read more: What Does a Stoner Mean? Why the Answer Is Changing in 2026
3. Ask about "Immediate Need" vs. "Pre-Planning."
If you pre-plan, your money goes into an interest-bearing account. This protects you against inflation. If a funeral costs $10,000 today, it might be $15,000 in ten years. Pre-funding freezes that cost. Plus, your plan is transferable. If you move to Florida in five years, that Ippolito plan can go with you to a local home there.
4. Be honest about your budget.
The Ippolito staff is known for being pretty flexible. If you tell them, "I have $5,000 and not a penny more," they will find a way to make a dignified service happen. There is no shame in that.
The most important thing to remember is that a funeral isn't for the person who passed. It’s for the people left behind. Whether you’re planning something at the Berkeley Heights location or the main Summit home, the goal is the same: find a bit of peace in a chaotic moment.
If you are ready to move forward, start by gathering the vital statistics of your loved one—Social Security number, parents' names, and military discharge papers (DD-214) if applicable. Having these ready will save you hours of back-and-forth phone calls during the arrangement conference. From there, your next step is to schedule a basic consultation to walk through the "General Price List" in person so there are no surprises when the final bill arrives.