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Funeral home searches for deceased woman’s family before funeral


Funeral home searches for deceased woman’s family before funeral

A 92-year-old woman from Leonia died last month, but none of her relatives have been found so far.

The undertaker responsible for Carmela Polemeni’s remains is now desperately trying to find a family member before her burial.

If no one comes forward, Polimeni will be buried in what is known as an “untitled grave” without a headstone at Evergreen Cemetery in Hillside.

Polimeni died July 17 while receiving care at the CareOne nursing home in Cresskill. The director of Eternity Funeral Services in Englewood says it’s extremely rare to care for a person with no known relatives.

Principal Aree Booker says he will wait until August 17 before resuming services.

“If no relatives come forward, we will give her a dignified funeral,” says Booker.

He tried to find relatives but found nothing.

“One contact’s phone number didn’t work, and the next contact listed the name of a caregiver at the senior living facility where she lived,” Booker says.

Polimeni lived in a senior apartment complex in Leonia. The supervisor told Booker that Polimeni had never had visitors in 25 years.

CareOne posted a comment from administrator Lisa Rhoads.

“CareOne at Cresskill was deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Carmela Polimeni,” Rhoads wrote. “She visited CareOne at Cresskill several times for short stays and is loved by the community in our building.”

Booker says some have called his funeral home and offered to pay for the funeral. He has contacted local police to see if the offers are legitimate.

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