Our History

  • 19311931

    Our history began in 1931 when William A. Bradley graduated from the Renouard Training School for Embalmers in New York City. After apprenticing under his cousin, Robert Mason in South Amboy, he was licensed in 1935. In 1933, he married Miriam Yarnall from Mt. Carmel, PA who at the time was a business and typing teacher at Union Hill High School, Union City, NJ.
  • 1935

    In 1935, the young Bradleys moved to Chatham where Bill worked at the Martenis Funeral Home, which was located in the former Cafe Beethoven building on Main Street. They lived above a stable in a barn across the street.
  • 1943

    In 1943, Bill Bradley purchased a small satellite funeral home located at 345 Main Street and opened his own funeral firm, Wm. A. Bradley, Funeral Director. He and his wife lived on the second and third floors above the funeral home and raised their three children there. Today, the house serves as the flagship home of Bradley & Son Funeral Homes.
  • 1961

    William's son, Richard R. Bradley, joined his father in the family business in 1961 after graduating from Lehigh University. Richard then completed his Funeral Director training at the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in 1963.
  • 1987

    Scott W. Bradley followed in his father's footsteps and joined Bradley & Son Funeral Homes in 1987. Scott graduated from the University of Northern Colorado and received his Mortuary Science degree at the American Academy/McAllister Institute as well. He possesses a Masters degree in Social Work, which enables him to help the people left behind compassionately and professionally.
  • 1997

    In 1997, Scott acquired Braviak
    Funeral Home in Whippany.
  • 1999

    Scott Bradley created the Center for Life Transition in 1999 with the goal of continuing the personalized, professional care of our families after the funeral and beyond. Today, our bereavement support services are renowned throughout New Jersey and the Northeast and are open to all bereaved individuals, regardless of whether or not they are clients of Bradley & Son Funeral Homes.
  • 2003

    In 2003, Bradley acquired Haeberle & Barth in Union;
    Smith & Smith in Springfield, and Brough Funeral Home in Summit, bringing the communities served by
    Bradley Funeral Homes to five.
Bradley Funeral Homes
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