Van Tassel Funeral Home

We are pleased to offer a formal preparation program for children and adolescents to help them understand what happens at a viewing or funeral service. This program, run by a certified child life specialist Angie Koeneker, MS, CCLS, uses material prepared specifically for our funeral home as well as a site tour and expressive activities to help children understand what to expect. During this time, there is ample opportunity to address questions, concerns and misconceptions of the children and adolescents. A preparation can be done days or even hours in advance of a service. Help for children attending a viewing or funeral service We are here for any children or adolescents that may attend a viewing or funeral service. A certified child life specialist is available during the viewing or service to help children throughout your time at the funeral home. Children and adolescents are given the opportunity to participate in expressive activities to say goodbye to their loved ones. Activities are made available in an adjacent room where children have the opportunity to take a break when needed. To many families, this service has given their children the opportunity to participate in a viewing or service that was meaningful to them. Activities include special artwork to be included in the casket or used during the service, memory collages, creating flowers and hearts with messages for their loved ones, and more. Children's Grief The Van Tassel Funeral Home recognizes the needs of children and adolescents are different than those of adults. We are pleased to offer a variety of programming that addresses these unique needs. Please speak with us about how we can best help you and your family.

Include Me Too is a non profit organization providing support services for children attending funerals or visitations free of charge.  A certified child life specialist is available to help children understand what to expect at a funeral or visitation, and to provide developmental support to children ages 3-18 years old to assist them in saying goodbye. https://includemetoonj.org/

Please visit us, we will be a part of Essex County Historic Holiday House Tour 2021, Saturday, December 4, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Our house was built approximately in 1850, the building served as funeral home since 1983. We are the oldest funeral home in Bloomfield and served the needs of over 20,000 families. Each visitor will receive a free gift.

This year we will be partnering with Brookdale Reformed Church for Blue Christmas Service. Christmas can be a painful time of year for some people. It may be the 1st or 20th Christmas without a loved family member(s) due to death or the many reasons for being apart, feeling the loss of a job, or home. The constant refrains on the radio, TV, in shopping malls, and churches, about the joy of the season reminds many people of what they have lost or are missing. This anguish can make us feel alone in the midst of the celebrating and joy. Sometimes we need space and time to acknowledge our sadness; we need to know that we are not alone. We also need encouragement to live the days ahead of us. Again, this year, we are offering a ‘Blue Christmas Service’ to give people a time and space to do all of this and still be able to wait with anticipation the birth of their Savior.