Planning a funeral is the task nobody wants. It’s heavy. It’s expensive. It feels like navigating a maze while you're wearing a blindfold. If you are looking into Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial in New Jersey, you aren't just looking for a building; you are looking for someone to take the weight off your shoulders for a few days. Honestly, the funeral industry in Northern New Jersey is crowded, but the Ippolito name carries a specific kind of weight in Union County.
Founded by Paul Ippolito Sr. back in the day, the firm has been a fixture since roughly 1948. That is a lot of history. It’s a family business. That phrase gets tossed around a lot, but in the context of Summit, NJ, it actually means something. It means the people answering the phone at 3:00 AM probably live a few miles away. They aren't a corporate conglomerate managed from an office in Texas.
Finding Your Way to Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial
Location matters. If you’ve ever tried to park in downtown Summit, you know the struggle is real. The Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial sits at 701 Springfield Avenue. It’s a strategic spot. It’s close enough to the center of town to be convenient, yet just far enough away that you aren't fighting shoppers for a spot to leave your car.
The building itself? It’s a converted grand home. It feels like a residence. That’s intentional. Walking into a sterile, cold, marble-slab funeral home is the last thing a grieving family needs. Here, it’s about warm wood, soft lighting, and that specific "Old World" New Jersey charm that feels familiar to anyone raised in the area. It serves not just Summit, but also New Providence, Berkeley Heights, and Chatham.
The Cost Factor Nobody Wants to Talk About
Let's get real for a second. Funerals are pricey. According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the median cost of a funeral with a viewing and burial is hovering around $8,000 to $10,000, and that doesn’t even include the cemetery plot or a headstone.
At Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial, they have to comply with the "Funeral Rule." This is a federal law enforced by the FTC. It basically says they have to give you a General Price List (GPL) if you ask for it. You should ask for it. Don’t feel weird about it. A good funeral director expects you to want to know what things cost.
Why the Price Varies
The math is simple but the emotions make it hard. You have the professional services fee—that’s the base cost for them just being "on call." Then you add the casket. This is where people overspend. You can get a basic metal casket or a mahogany one that costs as much as a used Honda. Honestly, the person inside doesn't care. The choice is for the living.
Then there’s the "cash advances." These are things the funeral home pays for on your behalf:
- The obituary in the Star-Ledger or local papers.
- Clergy or celebrant fees.
- Limousines.
- Death certificates (get more than you think you need—at least 10).
- Flowers.
Services Beyond the Traditional Wake
People think a funeral is just two days of standing in a room with flowers. It can be. But Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial has adapted. They do direct cremations. They do memorial services where the body isn't even present. They do "celebrations of life" where people might actually smile and share a funny story instead of just sobbing.
The staff there, led by folks like Paul Ippolito IV and Andrea Ippolito, understand the nuances of different faiths. Summit is a diverse town. Whether it’s a full Catholic Mass at St. Teresa of Avila or a more secular service, they’ve seen it all. They know the local priests, the local florists, and the local police for the funeral procession. That local "intel" is why people go there.
The Logistics of Grief in Summit
If you are coming from out of town, the logistics are a pain. Summit is lucky to have the Grand Summit Hotel right down the road. It’s a beautiful place for out-of-town guests to stay. If you’re organizing a repast—the meal after the burial—Summit has plenty of spots like the Summit Diner (for something casual) or more formal banquet spaces.
One thing that surprises people is the paperwork. It’s relentless. Social Security needs to be notified. Life insurance companies need original death certificates. The Ippolito staff usually helps with the Social Security notification, which is a massive relief when your brain feels like mush.
What Most People Get Wrong About Pre-Planning
We all joke about it. "Just throw me in a pine box and put me in the backyard." You can't actually do that in New Jersey. Sorry.
Pre-planning at Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial is about locking in today’s prices for a future event. It’s also about making the decisions so your kids don't have to argue about whether you wanted "Amazing Grace" or "The Way You Look Tonight." You can set up a trust. New Jersey has very strict laws about how funeral money is held in trust (it’s usually through the New Jersey Prepaid Funeral Trust Fund, or "CHOICE"). This protects your money. If the funeral home were to close tomorrow (unlikely, given their history), your money is still safe in that trust.
The Hard Truth About Online Reviews
Look, nobody leaves a 5-star review for a funeral home because they had a "great time." The reviews for Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial generally focus on one thing: "They took care of everything." That is the gold standard.
When you read a negative review for any funeral home, it’s usually about a misunderstanding of costs or a lack of communication. Grief makes people sensitive. It’s okay to be demanding. It’s okay to ask why a certain fee is on the bill. A reputable place like Ippolito will explain it without getting defensive.
Actionable Steps if You Are Planning Now
If you just got the call that a loved one has passed, or if it’s imminent, here is what you need to do immediately:
- Locate the Will. Sometimes people put their funeral wishes in their will. Note: sometimes they don't, and you find the will after the funeral. Try to find it now.
- Find the Discharge Papers. If the deceased was a veteran, you need the DD-214. This gets them a flag, a military honors ceremony, and a spot in a national cemetery like Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
- Call (908) 273-3246. That is the Summit office. Tell them where the deceased is located (hospital, home, or hospice).
- Gather Clothes. Include everything. Undergarments, socks, shoes. People often forget the shoes. If they wore glasses, bring the glasses. If they had a favorite lipstick, bring that too.
- Photos. Start digging through the cloud or the old shoeboxes. They can set up digital slideshows or traditional boards.
The Reality of Choosing a Funeral Home in NJ
Choosing Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial is a choice for stability. In an era where big corporations are buying up small "mom and pop" funeral homes and keeping the old family name on the sign to trick you, Ippolito remains family-operated. That matters when you want to speak to the person whose name is on the building.
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Death is the only thing we all have in common. It’s expensive, it’s messy, and it’s heartbreaking. Having a team that knows the shortcuts through Union County traffic and the specific requirements of the local cemeteries just makes the worst week of your life slightly more bearable.
Don't rush the process. Even if the hospital is pressuring you to move the body, you have time. Take a breath. Look at the price list. Ask the hard questions. That is what you're paying for.