New Haven Funeral Centre Inc.

Hello Everyone,

I am not sure where to begin, how to convey my gratitude and respect for Shelley Challenger, Vice President Funeral Director personally as majority of my interactions were with her and the New Have Team. Who knew when we had a virtual appointment only a couple months ago (if that) with your wonderful Pre-Planning Funeral Director Minnelle Williams that we would meet so soon. From our first phone call to the last email, I experienced a spirit of excellence and compassion in every aspect of service delivery and from every member of your team I crossed paths with. I stood in awe as the two young women came to pick up my spiritual mother’s body from her home. They talked us through every step asking before doing, explaining as they did and transporting her body to the vehicle that awaited. My sister in Christ who was with us said " I do not want anybody but New Haven to touch my body should I pass in this lifetime, what respect and dignity for the life that once was”. It felt like a sacred ceremony as we accompanied her beloved son in ushering 'mom' from the 14th floor and through the hallway on a stretcher and out the building for the last time.

Thank you, Shelley, for responding so promptly to all of our emails and calls even when it was repetitive. Thank you for accepting us when we dropped by unexpectedly with a question. Thank you for the care, attention to detail and guidance for and through the funeral service and burial. Thank you for the work you personally did in preparing 'moms' body she looked like royalty and it was done as if she would have done it herself. May God continue to bless the New Haven Funeral Centre. You are not just a business or a service but a ministry of hospitality, integrity, transparency, and an extension of Gods love and comfort during the most difficult season one can face.

Forever Grateful,

Karen (One of Pastor Claudia Yvonne Johnsons Spiritual Daughters)

First off I would like to say thank you to the team for wearing a bright green. Not sure if it was pure coincidence or you too heard my grandma’s wishes. She wanted everyone to be wearing colours as she didn’t want us to mourn in black. She wanted to be remembered and celebrated in living colour.

My family and I would like to say thank from the bottom of our hearts for going over and beyond to make my grandmas homecoming a blessed one. You made my grandma look so beautiful.

Everyone talked about how nice the funeral home is and how attentive the staff was to their needs. Most of all they were happy to see it was black owned.

Shelley thank you for handling us with love and care and same to the entire staff. We are forever thankful.

They made us feel sooo welcomed and they took care of everything Shelly and her staff are amazing and very professional. If there were more stars I would rate more.

Customer service and professionalism and sympathy at its best. I give New Haven there flowers …Thanks again

Shelly has been lovely, warm and very clear in guiding us to the whole process. Thank you!

We want to sincerely thank New Heaven Funeral Inc (Canada) for the most memorable and magnificent send-off event (celebration of life) that they coordinated for our loved one Bishop Bertie A. Mullings. We contacted New Heaven after our loved one transitioned not knowing what to expect and the questions to ask. Our initial contact would set the stage for us to quickly develop trust in New Heaven’s ability to help our family accomplish our goal during this time of grief. The staff are patient, kind and compassionate. They are highly professional; for example, they offer information without giving the feeling of overwhelmingness. They communicated respectfully; were thorough, offered suggestions, followed-up when necessary and gave our family a schedule of important things to be done (e.g, bring the deceased clothes by a certain date, contact the burial ground, etc.) and gave clear instructions. Our family felt supported, understood and cared for at all times in a unique manner. For example, we were asked if we wanted music to be played and which genre; based on our suggestion, they played the most beautiful music that had us moving our bodies happily from start to finish. They went far beyond their professional obligations and unexpectedly won or hearts. Special shout out to Cassandra – you are one in a million.

Trinity helped my family plan a beautiful service. She was very professional and helpful with the way that she guided us through the process. Trinity explained everything very well and she was very informative. Additionally she was always very compassionate and gentle with the family as she understood the emotions we are feeling. We are so thankful that we had her help and support during this difficult time.

It is not often that you get the opportunity to work with someone that is doing what they were destined to do, but after experiencing your compassion for you craft and your ability to turn what is unequivocally the most difficult time in our family's life into a positive experience, we know that this was your destiny, to care for families as they say goodbye to their loved one. Our sincerest thank you to the New Haven team.
The Cummings family

Hi Shelley,

Just wanted to reach out to tell you a few important items …

You and your team were absolutely AMAZING! Your professionalism, class, empathy and all around care were invaluable to my family and I at this difficult time. You made things so much easier.

I am so absolutely proud of your female black owned self! You and your staff are the epitome of BLACK GIRL MAGIC!

Thank you, thank you, thank you ️

My experience with Shari Yearwood (the Funeral Director) and the staff at New Haven greatly exceeded my expectations! My family and I were extremely pleased with the exceptional customer service we were given from start to finish! The staff was highly professional and always made us feel comfortable. Any questions we had (whether via email or telephone) were always answered promptly and with courtesy.
Thank you Shari and the New Haven team for your kindness, dedication, and a job well done for my father's funeral! We could not have asked for anything more!

New Haven Funeral Centre was EXCEPTIONAL! Jade, Karen and the ENTIRE team were professional and caring. My mother was buried with dignity and compassion. They did a great job in preserving her appearance and her makeup was natural. NHFC is affordable and I cherish how great they were for my mom's home sending service.

From the moment my family and I stepped into New Haven to inquire about preparations for my late husband, we knew, this was the place to do it. We had a wonderful funeral director by the name of Angel. Angel was very accommodating, understood our needs, and did her best to make this process seamless. Angel and her colleagues were very professional, and responded to our every call, which were many, as well as our emails. I would definitely recommend New Haven to our friends and family as we had a great experience from start to finish.

New Haven Funeral Centre took away my anxiety and fear of planning the unpleasant experience of a funeral. Cassandra L. F. D.is an amazing funeral director. From picking the Casket to suggestions of attire, you name it, Cas was with us every step of the way. No question was off limits. The event went so smoothly, that We are forever grateful to New Haven and particularly Cassandra. Highly recommend New Haven. Their premises are beautiful and stylish that you forget you are in a funeral center. Well done! We are blessed to have you by our side during this difficult time Cassandra.

According to their constant radio advertisements, the main attribute of this place is that it's owned by a black person/ people.

That's pathetic.

If I said that I own the only ice cream parlor in town that was run by a Chinese person, It would be no different.

What the hell would I -or anyone else that is normal- care who serves me my ice cream or Burns my parents and puts them in a box.

Making the owner's race a Hallmark of the quality of the company is Ludacris, racist, preposterous.

I just had a relative die, and I certainly wouldn't go searching around town to make sure that the person I hired was any specific colour.

This place gets high reviews so it obviously offers decent service, so I will give it 3 stars based on the service alone.

Ultimately like any other funeral home, there are standard costs so that you are likely going to pay 20,000 bucks for a basic service and a casket and or a cremation. And of course they have a couple hours of phone calls and paperwork to verify things.so yeah, they get paid like lawyers.

Good for the owner.he/she is black and is making high money.we should all be so lucky regardless of skin tone.

Thank you to the New Haven Family for your professionalism, effective communication, care and overall service. Exceptional service, would definitely recommend. God bless you all.

Thank you New Haven for making the experience of planning the funeral of my mother so easy. From the first call until the internment the staff were professional. Prearrangement is the best way to go! New Haven will take care of you.

The staff at New Haven have been amazing from from the first phone that was made in planning my grand mother’s homegoing. They responded to every email answered every call with respect and understanding of what the family is going through.
Thank you all at New Haven for helping my family and I through this very difficult time.

Shelley and the New Haven team provided exceptional customer care. Their professionalism is unmatched and they were readily available to answer all of my questions and they were very informative. Losing a parent is a very painful experience and Shelley and her team were very warm, understanding, patient and comforting. They made me feel like family and went out of their way to ensure our vision for our father's funeral came to fruition and my father's send off was perfect. The venue is elegant and professional and the catering company was very professional and the food was excellent. I would highly recommend this funeral home!

Went to a funeral here recently, staff were very friendly greeting you at the door and guiding you to which room. The funeral home was very clean and looked very nice.

I normally don’t take the time to write reviews but I just couldn’t resist! Talk about total cooperation, professionalism and just super, super nice people to work with. Shelly and Jade we’re such a pleasure to deal with and just so friendly. I had a slideshow prepared and went the day before the service to test out the sound and had many requests when it came to the audio, visual and lighting and you guys nailed it! It was timed so perfectly with the dimming of lights, all were so impressed. Also we had a 4 piece band perform a song during the service and the PA system with microphones were all again perfect. Everything just went so smooth from the our first phone call right to the end. Thanks again guys for making such a difficult time be stress free.

We had a very pleasant experience utilising New Haven services. All the staff members we dealt with from right before the passing of our loved one (as it was expected) to the very end of services; everyone provided excellent service. The staff at New Haven are kind, knowledgeable and speedy. They really helped us a great deal at a time when we were vulnerable and in mourning. Thank you.

Happy to take close to $20,000 for a service and then rush through as if running overtime by 5 or 10 minutes would put them out of business. Did not give a grieving widow and children who just lost their father time to say goodbye before closing the casket and ushering them out. Told the widow that she would have to pick up ashes at the crematorium because "people don't come to collect them and then we have to keep them". Said it is the crematorium's responsibility to call her when its time to pick up the ashes. After waiting for 3 weeks had to call the crematorium to find out why it was taking so long only to be told he has been waiting unclaimed for quite a while, the funeral home was notified, and that it is absolutely the homes responsibility to contact. Sounded like it wasn't the first time this has happened and official complaints have been lodged.
Take the money, turn them out asap, and wipe hands of it.
Unacceptable, unprofessional, and a complete lack of empathy.

Firstly I would like to take the time out to not only thank Shelly and her amazing team at new haven funeral home for their exceptional service but also for their professionalism and dedication to providing my loved ones excellence and taking the time to get every little detail just right, they work with pride and empathy and provide exceptional customer service, my family and have been through a lot and new haven has been awesome throughout the whole process. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. I recommend new haven funeral centre 100 percent. I will always use them.thanks again for everything

You all are amazing
Sincerely
Stephanie Campbell

My first time experience with New Haven Funeral Centre was outstanding! They handled us with care & treated us like family. They are very professional & made this process very stress free. Thank you again Shelley & the New Haven team!

The services provided by the New Heaven Funeral Home staff for my late mother Lorna Nichol, were of pure EXCELLENCE. From the moment I spoke with Shelly and the staff I had total peace of mind. Shelly was very caring and understanding. She was able to address our concerns promptly. We were never left hanging to wonder what the next steps were. She always provided very clear guidance and resources. I no longer call her Shelly but “Super Woman. ”

This was the first time that I ever had to make funeral arrangements, however the New Heaven team alleviated the stress and went above and beyond to ensure that all was taken care of.
I was very impressed with the personal, professional and compassionate service my family received. My mother’s remains were treated with honour and dignity by the staff at New Haven.
Many attendees also expressed how impressed they were by the courteous and professional conduct of New Haven’s employees. Thank you for providing a classy and lovely send off for our beloved mother.

In gratitude,
Winston Robinson and family.

Words cannot express our gratitude on how Shari Yearwood and the Staff at the New Haven Funeral Centre made us feel.
As devastated and challenging as it was to deal with our son's passing, Shari returned more than twenty (20) emails I sent her promptly. She ensured that clarity was given and the planning process went smoothly. She listened, she acted and above all she delivered.
New Haven provided a stately service, warm and friendly staffs, and a very clean environment. They totally exceeded our expectations and we are very very pleased.
Thank you, Thank you.

Sadly, we met the New Haven team under very unfortunate circumstances, however, the treatment from Shari Yearwood, Shelley Challenger and their amazing team made our situation that much easier. They were spectacular! They made us feel as though we were family. We couldn’t have asked for
anything more. My father would have
been so proud of his send off. Thanks again!

I would like to send my best regards to the new haven funeral home on behalf of the Jones family. I know I’m a bit late for a review but I appreciate your services you guys are the best at what you do. Big shout out to Kassandra she was amazing and helped us throughout the whole process we are forever grateful to her! God bless you all

I have not have the chance to experience the full service this place has to offer, but by me just walking in to finish a business transaction. I was amazed. From the clean and prestige building, to the well groomed members and the warm atmosphere. I would recommend this place to very body I know.

New Haven made arrangements for my grandmother's funeral painless. Every person I spoke to was helpful and our funeral director was supportive and understanding. The staff at New Haven are prompt to respond to phone calls and emails, they are professional, and overall the best experience I've had having to deal with a funeral arrangements. I was impressed with the layout of information they provided via email that outlined the things to know and prepare for, due dates to submit items, templates, referrals for services, and the list goes on. They are truly working in present times by having a Centre that is tech-savvy, which creates a seamless environment for music, video tributes, and live stream capabilities. My experience at New Haven has opened up the conversation with my family about the importance of funeral pre-planning and without a doubt, we know it will be with New Haven. Thank you for everything you've done for our family and those we know who have also used your Centre for a beautiful send off for our loved ones!

Shari and her team at New Haven went above and beyond to ensure that our requirements were met, we had the most beautiful send off for our princess Jah`Zaiyah. We cant thank you guys enough!

New Haven is a beautiful establishment. The decor is warm and elegant. Every staff member greets you with a smile and makes you feel safe, and comforted during such a difficult time. There was no question or inquiry that was to much. I had the privilege of working with Shelley who was absolutely amazing! She responded promptly to every one of my emails, and I was always able to reach her by telephone. I highly recommend New Haven Funeral home and if you're lucky to work with Shelley consider yourself blessed. Thank you Shelley and New Haven for everything. God bless you all