The operators of Princeton Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Robbinsville are planning to withdraw their proposal to build a crematorium on their property and will instead seek to construct a mausoleum.

The change in plans was the result of a compromise with Robbinsville officials and state legislators after a year-long fight with neighbors of the cemetery over the crematorium proposal. That fight led to a legislative effort to restrict the location of crematories in cemeteries throughout the state.

Princeton Memorial Park sought to build the crematory on the cemetery’s property, but the area where the facility would be built was approximately 792 feet from an elementary school. Some neighbors vehemently objected to the proposal, saying emissions from a crematory would be harmful for children at the school and in the area.

In response to the memorial park’s plans, Senator Linda Greenstein (D-14) introduced a bill in 2025 that would ban the construction of crematories within 1,000 feet of a school, residential area or some recreational areas. While the bill passed the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee in February 2025, it died at the end of the legislative session in January 2026.

Meanwhile, Greenstein, along with Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (D-14) and Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy (D-14), began negotiations with Robbinsville officials and cemetery representatives to find a compromise. They announced the result of those talks on Friday, February 13, 2026.

“As cremation rates continue to rise, so do concerns about the potential impacts of the toxic fumes this process creates,” the three legislators said in a press release. “By coming together, we found a better path forward that will protect our schools, homes, and recreation areas from adverse health impacts and support the future business of a longstanding community cemetery.”

Princeton Memorial Park officials had argued that restricting the locations of crematories within cemeteries could reduce any potential revenue streams and force some older burial grounds into receivership.

The New Jersey Cemetery Association, which also opposed to the bill, had cautioned against any temptation to allow crematories to be built outside of cemeteries, saying that current law ensures the safety and professionalism of crematory operation.

The information contained in this column is a report of the actions taken by the board members who were present during the open public session portion of the meeting only. It is not a transcript of the official board minutes or an official record of attendance. It does not address board member attendance or actions taken during the executive session that typically follows the open session and is closed to the public.

February 12, 2026

Members Present

Paul Desbiens, Chair; Debbie Santangelo, Vice Chair; Linda McGloin; Rabbi Jay Kornsgold; Anthony Menafro.

Executive Staff Present

Quin Archer, Executive Director; Deputy Attorney General Dan Roman.

Public

George R. Kelder Jr., CFSP, Samantha L. Link and Jonathan R. Bender, New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, and five other members of the public were present.

Election of Officers

Paul Desbiens and Debbie Santangelo were re-elected Chair and Vice Chair of the Board respectively.

Approval of Meeting Minutes

The Board approved the minutes of the December 11, 2025 meeting.

Executive Director’s Report

Total number of complaints received in December: 3

Total number of complaints received in 2025: 53

Old Business

• Evergreen Cemetery wrote a letter in May 2025 to withdraw their Certificate of Authority. Chairman Desbiens advised that they are not a religious cemetery and therefore are required to maintain a Certificate of Authority. Evergreen Cemetery wrote back in September again requesting to withdraw their Certificate of Authority. The Board reiterated the cemetery’s need for a Certificate of Authority and will now request maps and financial records of their maintenance and preservation fund as part of this petition. The Board voted to send Evergreen Cemetery another letter advising them of these requirements and requesting the additional information.  

New Business

• Ruffin Cemetery (CA #342): Louis Cicalese wrote the Board to update and reinforce continuing matters at Ruffin Cemetery stating that judicial constraints put in place restrict the cemetery’s and his ability to efficiently operate. Due to a judicial order being in place, the Board has no jurisdiction over the matter and will refer him back to the courts for relief.
• Chesed Advocates requested the use of the word “cemetery” in all its marketing material. Chesed Advocates is a nonprofit organization that seeks to protect sacred religious sites, including cemeteries, but the organization itself is not a cemetery. The Board based on previous decisions voted to not allow non-cemeteries to use the word and denied such use to Chesed Advocates.
• Fair View Cemetery (CA #75): Requested to repair their mausoleum with principal funds in its M&P trust. Deputy Attorney General Dan Roman advised the Board that the statute is clear that they cannot use the principal in the trust fund without an order from the court. The cemetery can only use interest generated from the trust fund unless they obtain a court order advising otherwise. The Board voted to send a letter to Fair View Cemetery outlining the Board’s position.
• Liberty Grove Memorial Gardens Crematory: Installation of new retort unit. The Board voted to move this item to executive session for advice of counsel.
• Montague Reformed Church Cemetery (CA #246): The Board received a written question from the Board of Trustees of Montague Reformed Church Cemetery asking who will be responsible for the cemetery if the existing board members vacate their seat for any reason and new members cannot be appointed. They also asked if the maintenance and preservation fund gets turned over to the state should the trustee board dissolve and cemetery administration ceases. The Board has advised cemeteries in the past to do their best to find replacement members and that, no, the M&P fund does not get turned over to the state. The Board voted to send a letter advising the cemetery of their responsibility in identifying new board members and preserving the M&P fund.

For Your Information

• Deputy Attorney General Dan Roman advised the Board that all rule making has been paused for 90 days upon Governor Mikie Sherrill’s Executive Order. He further advised on a pending regulation entitled the “Failure to Cooperate Rule” that an individual licensee cannot use a non-disclosure agreement to not discuss a matter before any board. If the regulation goes into effect, citing a non-disclosure agreement will now be considered failure to cooperate with a board investigation.
• Ewing Cemetery Association, Inc (CA #020) is involved in civil litigation with Wells Fargo, the trustee of their maintenance and preservation fund since 1923. A dispute has arisen regarding the disbursement of funds for payment of taxes. The Board voted to request more information on the matter as a banking institution change typically does not need a court order to release and deposit the funds.
• Ocean County Memorial Park Association (CA #224) has notified the Board that they had their first preconstruction sale for their newest mausoleum.
• Fairmount Cemetery Crematory has notified the Board that they are closing their crematory in Newark. The Board voted to send a letter requesting further information on the status of the retorts and past cremation records following the crematory’s closing.

Public Comment

There were no public comments.

There being no further public business, the Board adjourned its Public Session at 9:56 a.m. until Thursday, April 16, 2026 and entered Executive Session.

The Mortuary Assistant, a horror film based on a popular video game, debuts on a perfect day, Friday, February 13, 2026.

The video game made its debut in 2022 and quickly became a go-to experience for gamers who like the macabre and supernatural.

The game and the movie feature a newly licensed funeral director, Rebecca Owen, who begins to experience strange occurrences during an overnight shift at the funeral home. She discovers she is the target of demonic possession and must perform a series of tasks to banish the demon to save herself and others. Willa Holland stars in the film as Rebecca.

While fans of the game praise its spine-tingling effects and story line, the movie itself has gotten mixed reviews.

Overall, The Mortuary Assistant is a faithful adaptation to a very underrated game,” wrote an author named Blacktooth on the website Horror Society. “While it doesn’t have the atmosphere that the game has, it is still an entertaining horror film.” Blacktooth added the portrayal of the head demon was “goofy.”

Although starting out as a theater release, the film will move quickly to a streaming service called Shudder on March 27, 2026.

James T. Simmons Jr., CFSP, a member of the Essex, Union and West Hudson Funeral Directors Association and former Board member of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, died on February 10, 2026. He was 73.

A native of Camden, Jim was a graduate of McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York, becoming a licensed funeral director in 1977. He first worked as a funeral director at JC Prall Funeral Home in Roselle, eventually becoming the owner and manager of the funeral home in 1981. He later sold the business to Rossi Funeral Home in Scotch Plains.

Until Jim’s retirement in 2025, he was a trade funeral director and embalmer for several funeral homes in the Union County area.

In addition to attending McAllister, Jim attended Mercer County Community College and graduated magna cum laude from Kean University in 1980, with a degree in marketing and economics.

Jim was heavily involved in the NJSFDA, serving as a board member, and remained active in the Essex, Union and West Hudson FDA, where he held a number of leadership positions. He was a charter member of the Funeral Ethics Association and often spoke about his career at local high schools and colleges.

Jim was a strong athlete in high school, lettering in three sports. He played minor league baseball after his graduation. He later coached American Legion baseball in Roselle and Roselle Park.

Jim also gave back to his Union County community as a member of several fraternal and business associations in the Roselle area.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Susan Goff; a sister, Gloria Hawn; two brothers, Glenn Simmons and Andrew Simmons; two granddaughters; and two great-granddaughters. He was predeceased by his wife, Nancy.

Those wishing to honor Jim can donate to Tunnels to Towers or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

A five-year-old video of a child playing “funeral” with her Barbies has gone viral, with viewers noting its sincerity, accuracy and cuteness.

Alisha Michelle was going through some old videos of her children and found one of her daughter, Azariah, singing at the funeral for one of her Barbies while her brother stood solemnly off to the side.

The video, recording in 2021 when Azariah was five years old, features a Barbie laid out in a yellow Air Jordan sneaker, with her hair falling over the heel of the shoe. A Ken doll stands at a makeshift podium (Azariah used a hand weight) and a group of mourning Barbies sat still as services were conducted.

Azariah, dressed in a yellow blazer, looks on sternly, before raising a flashlight to sing. Her brother, decked out in purple dish gloves, had less luck keeping in character. At one point, he breaks out laughing and disappears off camera.

Alisha knew the humor of the scene when she posted it on Instagram and TikTok.

“Just laugh with me,” she wrote.

And viewers did. The video has racked up over 3 million likes and thousands comments on Instagram and Facebook. Many commented on the accuracy of the scene, from “Pastor” Ken to the bespoke sneaker casket and efforts to craft a respectful sendoff.

“The serious look on this [girl’s] face,” one viewer posted. “She’s like, ‘this is not a laughing matter.’”

But Alisha herself couldn’t help but laugh and point to the reality of all growing children. Azariah, now 10, isn’t that into Barbies anymore.

“I’m so glad she done playing with dolls because somebody was killing them off,” Alisha wrote.

One of New York’s most iconic cemeteries is embracing the product of natural organic reduction. Ontario, Canada, is seeing a “troubling” surge in unclaimed bodies. And an artist is using cremated remains in his paints to create memorial artwork. These stories and more are in the week in funeral news. 

NEWS

A Solution for Crowded Cemeteries: Turn Loved Ones into Gardening Soil
By Tom Fairless (The Wall Street Journal)
There is a looming crisis in America’s death industry. Green-Wood Cemetery might have found a lifeline. The storied 478-acre Brooklyn burial ground, like many across the U.S., is running out of room for new occupants. With the help of a German entrepreneur, cemetery officials believe they can profitably augment the property by turning loved ones into gardening soil. Read more here.

Ontario's “Troubling” Surge in Unclaimed Bodies Is Not Letting Up
By Guy Quenneville (CBC News)
The number of bodies that go unclaimed every year in Ontario, Canada continues to reach new record levels, according to the latest figures from the province’s Office of the Chief Coroner. Read more here.

Why Are Traditional Burials Dying Out? Younger People Explain Their Choices
By Billie Pollisotto (Daily Inter Lake)
Traditional burials are fading because younger generations want death care to reflect their values around cost, sustainability, flexibility, and personal meaning. Rising funeral prices, environmental concerns, and a move away from rigid religious norms are reshaping end-of-life preferences. For many people, modern options feel more honest, practical, and aligned with how they lived. Read more here.

Veteran’s Program Offers Free Burial Flags to Families in Need
By Tyshin Dawson (Yahoo! News)
A military burial flag is meant to honor a lifetime of service, but for some families, missing records can stand in the way. One local veteran has made it his mission to fix that. What started as a favor for a grieving friend has now grown into a nonprofit effort helping veteran families receive burial flags, even when documentation is missing. Read more here.

New York Funeral Director Arrested
By Jonathan Bandler (Lohud)
Thirteen decomposing bodies were removed from a Mount Vernon, NY, funeral home that the state shut down in May 2025 and the director has been charged with handling funeral services without a license. Read more here.

Artist Uses Cremation Ashes to Create Unique Memorial Paintings with Personal Meanings
By Good News Network
An artist is using cremation ashes in his paintings to create unique memorial landscapes that grieving families can personalize as a way to remember loved ones. Gary Harper began painting professionally just two years ago and was inspired by the loss of his cousin to respectfully experiment with blending a small amount of ashes into his artwork. Read more here.