Our Heritage

The Vander Plaat family has been in funeral service for five generations over a century.

John VanderPlaat, Sr., Founder

Because of their commitment to the community they serve, and their caring for families, the Vander Plaat Funeral Home will be around and available to assist families in their time of need for generations to come.

The first Vander Plaat Funeral Home was located in Garfield, NJ and founded in 1894 by John Vander Plaat, Sr. The family heritage of service began when John J. Vander Plaat joined his father in 1906 and they worked together until 1944, when John Sr. died. John C. Vander Plaat continued the tradition by joining the family business in 1948 upon his return from his service in the Army Air Corps.

John J. VanderPlaat

John C. and Betty VanderPlaat

In 1952, he and his father established the Vander Plaat Funeral Home in Wyckoff, NJ where it has stood the test of time for nearly 50 years. The Garfield location was sold in 1985, after 91 years of caring, personal service and the Wyckoff location continues to carry on the same tradition.

Today, John C. Vander Plaat’s children Brenda and Linda continue the family tradition. Linda and her husband William Brock, Jr., manager of the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, LLC of Wyckoff joined in 1975. Tim Brock, son of Bill and Linda, is the fifth generation of the Vander Plaat Funeral Home family.

The Vander Plaat family, along with their staff of caring professionals, pride themselves in providing personalized, compassionate service before, during, and after the funeral service. They respect and satisfy every family’s unique needs by offering customized funeral service options. They maintain the highest ethical standards, recognize and appreciate local customs and religious practices. They are committed to honoring and celebrating all lives that have been lived.