About Us
On March 24, 1933, Ray Sheenan began the Sheenan Funeral Home in a one-room storefront on Washington Ave in Dunellen. In less than a year, he moved to Dunellen Ave where his funeral home still stands today.
While much has changed over the past 70 years what has not changed is the Sheenan touch. Ray Sheenan approached his calling with a rare sensitivity and empathy toward families experiencing the most difficult of human emotions resulting from a loss — the jumble of fear, loss, anger, grief and others. Though Ray Sheenan died in 1987, the "Sensitive Service" families expected did not falter. It has evolved and grown with his son Tom, who has been part of the Sheenan Funeral Home since 1959.
Managing a successful organization in our changing world requires constant review of what that organization stands for and how it best serves the needs of its clients. Managing a funeral home is no different. By offering informative seminars and having a comprehensive advance-planning program we can better serve everyone's interests. We help people to be more informed and help them to be better prepared for the future.
We are able to help people prepare arrangements in advance, relieving the emotional burden survivors may encounter when faced with making difficult decisions. While some funeral homes are being sold to corporations, Sheenan Funeral Home remains under family control. Owned and operated by the Sheenan family since 1933, our aim is to do the best we can for each family who calls on us.
We care for our families and stay with them as long as they need us!
Plus, our commitment doesn't end after the funeral. We offer a wide range of services and fairly priced products. What sets us apart is how we place the family and their desires above everything else. A successful long-term relationship with a family is one of our most valuable assets. At Sheenan Funeral Home, each funeral director is ever mindful that quality relationships are earned. Only through providing the best individualized "Sensitive Service" to each person who calls can we keep their trust and maintain that valuable relationship.
It's all about people: We pride ourselves on our ability of doing an exceptional job with every aspect of funeral service.
Our Commitment to "Sensitive Service"
Caring: Raymond J. Sheenan founded the Sheenan Funeral Home in 1933, in a storefront on Washington Avenue and a year later, he moved to the present facility on Dunellen Avenue. He insisted the decor and furnishings be home-like, offering bereaved families privacy and comfort.
Dedication: The Sheenan tradition continues today as Thomas E. Sheenan and his staff are dedicated to provide the "Sensitive Service" and caring the community has come to expect. Under Thomas' leadership they have developed many programs and services to meet the needs of each family served.
Community Involvement: The Sheenans have consistently demonstrated their concern for others through community involvement, including Knights of Columbus, Elks Clubs and Alhambra, a group benefiting special needs children.
Pursuit of Excellence: Tom Sheenan recognizes the value of a professional education. He was the first U.S. funeral director to achieve the "Certified Funeral Service Practitioners Degree." He has also served as President of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, as well as the President of the National Association of Approved Morticians. In fact all our funeral directors are fully licensed and attend regular professional education programs.
Offering Choices: The Sheenan philosophy in funeral services is to listen carefully to the wishes of each family member. We know that each situation is different. Sheenan Funeral Home wants to provide people with alternative ways to express their loss so the service is meaningful to them.
Explaining Costs: Knowing the families in the community, Tom and his staff understand that quality and cost are both important. With the wide range of available services and with a compassionate, caring and creative staff, everyone can get the dignity they deserve at a cost their family can afford.
Our Facility
Two thirty three Dunellen Ave has an interesting history of its own. Originally it was built in the late 1800s for the "Child's Family". After they moved north of Dunellen, the house was converted into a rooming house and later sat vacant. Ray Sheenan purchased it with a broken roof and without windows. Smaller than it is today, Ray and his wife lived in one apartment upstairs and his brother George, (who also became a funeral director and worked there) lived in the other upstairs apartment. After World War II, George moved to his own home in Arbor and the funeral home underwent its first expansion of many. Always thinking ahead and not resting comfortably on its laurels has made Sheenan Funeral Home what it is today. The arrangement room is where the kitchen once was. On the back wall you can see some of the plaques given to both Ray and Tom Sheenan.
Recently the interior and front of the funeral home was renovated and there is still more to be done on the exterior. Having a comfortable, clean and charming environment helps maintain a level of comfort in a place where most people would rather not be.
The casket selection area contains partial and full-size caskets in a comfortable, well-lit area. Cremation urns and containers are also displayed in the casket selection rooms.
Our Staff
Tom Sheenan has been an active part of the Funeral Home since 1959. Tom is a Graduate of St. Peters College in New Jersey. He enlisted in the US Army for two years and graduated from the McAllister Institute of Mortuary Science in Manhattan with honors. He is also the first U.S. funeral director to attain the degree of "Certified Funeral Service Practitioner." Following in his father's footsteps Tom is a member of the Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus. Tom has served as president to the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association and of the Middlesex/Somerset Chapter. He was also president of the National Association of Approved Morticians and is still an active member. The entire staff of caring funeral directors embrace the same philosophy toward doing the most for the families who call at their time of need.
Catherine Lawrence is a licensed funeral director who has been on staff at the Sheenan Funeral Home for 24 years. She is a graduate of Monmouth University. She graduated Cum Laude from the American Academy McAllister Institute and received the perfect attendance award. After graduating, Catherine began her apprenticeship at the funeral home and never left.
William Kennedy is a licensed funeral director with over 23 years of experience. Before coming to Sheenan Funeral Home in 1985, he had worked for a small number of funeral homes from Montclair to the Jersey Shore. Before attending the American Academy McAllister Institute to study funeral service, he was a graduate of Seton Hall University. Bill may be seen giving educational seminars to senior citizens groups, school groups and fraternal organizations. He also coordinates bereavement programs for both the public and for caregivers. Bill has also completed his studies and is a certified funeral celebrant. For many years he worked with the nationally known Rainbows program at St. Luke's Parish in North Plainfield. Along with his wife Nancy, they are part of the Metuchen Diocesan Bereavement Program for Children.
Lawrence G. Botts, III is a licensed funeral director and the newest addition to Sheenan Funeral Home. He graduated from Watchung Hills Regional High School in 1995, St. Lawrence University in 1999 and the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in 2003. Lawrence is a well-rounded funeral director and has experience in both family-owned and corporate funeral homes.
Corey Harter is an employee at Sheenan Funeral Home. He graduated from Dunellen High School in 2006 and is now attending Middlesex County College. Upon graduation, Corey will be attending the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service.