Finding a place to say goodbye isn't exactly how anyone wants to spend their Tuesday morning. But if you’ve lived in South Jersey for more than a minute, you’ve probably driven past that brick building at 831 Carl Miller Boulevard. It’s a landmark. Honestly, in a city like Camden that has seen so much change, the Carl Miller Funeral Home Camden NJ feels like one of those permanent fixtures, like the bridge or the waterfront.
But let’s be real. When you’re looking for a funeral home, you aren't just looking for a building. You’re looking for someone who won't mess up the hardest day of your life. There’s a lot of history here—some of it deeply respected and some of it, well, complicated.
Why This Place Is Basically a Camden Institution
The history of this place actually goes way back. While the Better Business Bureau notes the business "officially" started locally around 1950, some records suggest the lineage of the business entity stretches even further into the 1800s. It’s a generational thing. For decades, the Miller family—currently managed by Pamela Dabney with ownership linked to Gloria Hunt Miller—has handled the "homegoings" for thousands of families in the area.
In many Black communities in Camden, this isn't just a business; it’s a cultural touchpoint. They specialize in traditional full-service burials and homegoing celebrations that can last for hours, filled with music, eulogies, and deep community roots.
The Cost of Saying Goodbye
Let's talk money because nobody likes to, but everyone needs to. Funerals are expensive. Period. If you look at the pricing structures often cited for Carl Miller Funeral Home Camden NJ, you’ll see a range that tries to hit different needs.
- Direct Cremation: Usually starts around $895 to $1,460. This is for the "no-frills" approach—just the basics.
- Basic Services: The professional fee for the director and staff often sits at $1,500.
- The "Whole Nine Yards": A traditional full-service burial can easily climb toward $9,225 once you add the casket, the vault, the hearse, and the flowers.
It’s a lot. People often think they have to buy everything in a bundle, but you actually have rights under the FTC Funeral Rule to pick and choose. You can buy a casket online and have it shipped there; they can't charge you a "handling fee" for it. Kinda wild, but true.
What Really Happened With That 2018 Lawsuit?
If you Google the name, you’re going to see some headlines that might make you pause. There was a pretty high-profile lawsuit filed back in 2018. A woman named Ashkeya Pratt-Williams sued the home, alleging they let her brother’s body decompose in a garage because of inadequate embalming and lack of refrigeration.
It was a messy situation. The family wanted an open casket, and the funeral home eventually told them it wasn't possible. The lawsuit named several people, including Gloria Hunt Miller and various directors like Alexis Combs and Robert Marvin.
🔗 Read more: Calculating 35 percent of 140: Why This Specific Math Matters for Your Wallet
Now, look. The funeral home’s spokesperson at the time, Levi Combs, defended their reputation, pointing to their "longstanding integrity." These cases often settle out of court or get tied up in legal jargon for years. Does it mean the place is bad? Not necessarily. Every long-standing business eventually hits a snag, but when it involves a loved one, "snag" feels like an understatement. It’s important to weigh that history against the thousands of families who had perfectly fine experiences.
Navigating the Neighborhood and the Facility
The location itself is at 831 Carl Miller Boulevard (formerly Van Hook Street). If you’re sending flowers, most local florists like Mendez & Jackel or Stein Your Florist know the route by heart.
One thing that's sorta unique about this spot is the accessibility. They’re open pretty long hours—usually 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM most weekdays. If you’re coming from out of town, Camden can be a bit tricky to navigate with the one-way streets and the construction, so definitely use Waze or Google Maps.
The Staff and the Vibe
The directors there—names like Felicia Beverly, Rasheeda Ali, and Thomas Allison have appeared in their filings—are used to the Camden pace. It’s not a "stiff" corporate vibe like some of the larger funeral conglomerates (looking at you, SCI). It’s local. It feels like Camden. That means it’s personal, but it also means it’s a busy, active hub in the community.
Actionable Steps If You're Planning a Service
Don't just walk in and sign the first thing they put in front of you. Whether you use Carl Miller Funeral Home Camden NJ or the one down the street, do these three things:
- Ask for the General Price List (GPL): They are legally required to give this to you. Don't let them just give you "package" prices.
- Verify the Embalming Necessity: If you’re doing a quick cremation or a closed-casket service within a certain timeframe, New Jersey law doesn't always require embalming. Ask if it's actually necessary for your specific plans.
- Check the Casket Prices Elsewhere: You can often find the exact same casket at a warehouse or online for 50% less. The funeral home has to accept it.
Managing the end of a life is exhausting. This funeral home has been a part of the city’s fabric for a long time, through the good and the bad. If you value a deep connection to Camden's history and a director who understands the specific traditions of the local community, they’re usually the first call people make. Just keep your eyes open and ask the hard questions about refrigeration and prep—it's your right to know exactly how your loved one is being handled.