ABOUT US
About Us
The WARNER Coat of Arms, has tremendous amounts of personal symbolism and meaning in its design. The Moto is in Latin. In Servitium Viventium Curando Mortuos Suos; translated, “In Service to the Living by Caring for Their Dead.” Starting at the top of the Crest you will notice the three-headed dog known as Cerberus. Cerberus is known as a Guardian of the Past, Present and Future. The center Crest has several symbols specific to our family. The Coat of Arms within the crest is that of the Association of Blauvelt Descendants’. Generations of relatives who are direct descendants of Henryk Blauvelt, an original Dutch Settler to the New World. This crest signifies members of this family Association. The Labarum or Constantine’s Cross is symbolic of good omen and Christianity. The Sword represents Justice and Military Honor and the Caduceus represents Mortuary Science. Overall, the center shield stands for Family, Faith, Honor and Service to our fellowman. The Skull is a reminder of mortality, yet the laurel leaves beside it represent eternal life. The Armor represents membership as a Knight of Columbus and the Anchor reflects steadfastness and hope. The two supporting animals are mythical beasts known as Enfield’s. These mythical creatures are said to have protected the fallen chieftains’ bodies as they awaited proper burial. The Acanthus Leaves symbolize the Admiration of the Arts and the Art performed as Embalmers. And lastly the Acacia Branch or Leaves represent the Eternal and affectionate remembrance of those who have gone before us, but are never truly gone; only from our sight.
In the late 1940's, Andrew Wozniak, a master wood worker and his wife Evelyn a seamstress, started a humble casket manufacturing company, in Garfield, New Jersey. After selling their hand made, linen and silk trimmed wood caskets, to many of the funeral homes in Bergen and Passaic Counties, they quickly out grew his humble manufacturing shop, which was in a garage next to his home.
In early 1950, Andrew and his wife Evelyn, purchased property on the banks of the Passaic River in Wallington, New Jersey. It was here that the Wozniak's built their new home, and a large garage, where they could manufacture their caskets. Not long after the new facility was built, Andrew Wozniak was approached by some of his casket customers, who asked if he would be able to pick up those who had died. Being the entrepreneur that Andrew was, he agreed. By the mid-1950's Andrew's business had begun to evolve.
By the late 1950's, Evelyn and Andrew decided to open their home to the community, and essentially become a funeral home. Being that Wallington and Garfield were predominately of Polish decent, the Wozniak's called their new firm; Wozniak Home for Funerals. This is a Polish to English translation for Funeral Home.
As the young Wozniak children were growing up, they understood that they had an obligation to the Wallington and Garfield Communities, and that they too, would serve the communities as funeral providers. Dolores Wozniak was the first to go to school in the 1950's and become a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. It was at this time that Andrew and Evelyn Wozniak opened the funeral home. In the early 1980's Geraldine Wozniak attended school and also became a Funeral Director and Embalmer. Andrew Wozniak also known as Butch, did not go to school to become a funeral director. Instead, Andrew Sr., relied on Andrew Jr., to be the muscle for the casket manufacturing. After the death of first Evelyn, and then Andrew Sr., the Wozniak children were charged with the service of community.
In 2009, the Wozniak's brought in Brian J. Warner to work with them. It was decided that he would eventually take over the day to day operations of the firm.
On January 26th, 2011; New Jersey State Board of Mortuary Science granted the new firm, Warner-Wozniak Funeral Service; a registration to operate as a funeral home.
On February 16th, 2011, The Warner-Wozniak Funeral Service was officially launched in the community.
Who We Serve
Who do we serve? EVERYONE!!!!
The most often question we are asked is; "Do you handle this type of funeral or service?"
Burial? Cremation? Burial at Sea? Green Burials? Cremation with Scattering? Home wake's?
The answer is YES! Every funeral or service is PERSONALIZED, we are not a COOKIE CUTTER organization!
Warner-Wozniak Funeral Service, is a family owned funeral service provider. We serve families of all faiths, denominations, and families who do not require faith based services.
This limited listing is alphabetically constructed, and is not representative of any preference on our part:
Agnostics, Atheists, Baptists, Catholics, (Orthodox Catholics), Humanistic, Jewish, all Protestant denominations, Unification, Unitarian
For those of the Orthodox Jewish faith, or any Jewish person, who wants an Orthodox Burial, we work closely with the Zemach David Chevra Kadisha. This is an Orthodox Chevra, and all of our activities, regarding strict Halacha observance, are supervised by Rabbi Yaakov Bayer. Rabbi Bayer, is not a funeral director, but is a respected Rabbinical expert, in regards to Halacha burial requirements. Rabbi Bayer personally supervises every aspect of our Orthodox services. Rabbi Bayer, or one of the full time Chevra Supervisors, will attend removal of the deceased; arrange and supervise the Shomer; will arrange and supervise the Tahara, and burial. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, WILL THE CHEVRA BE AVAILABLE FOR SERVICES THAT END IN CREMATION. For those wishing to have an Orthodox Funeral Service at the Funeral Home, we are able to offer separate seating for men and women.
Brian J. Warner, Executive Director, NJ Lic. No. 4587
Brian J. Warner, Executive Director, NJ Lic. No. 4587