Keenan Funeral Home

03/27/2026

This will complete our four part series on Understanding Service Options. This part, "Celebration of Life" (4️⃣ of 4️⃣) will conclude the series. We hope that you have learned a few things, but if you have any further questions, please reach out to us at anytime. ❤️

A Celebration of Life is a gathering designed to honor the personality, story, and impact of an individual. Unlike a traditional funeral service, the focus is placed on memories, joy, and the legacy the person leaves behind. What are the benefits?

Personalized and Meaningful

◾ Centered on sharing stories, experiences, and reflections that highlight who the person truly was.
◾ Often incorporates personal touches such as favorite music, photos, videos, hobbies, or cherished belongings.
◾ Can include readings, speeches, or creative elements that reflect the individual’s spirit.

Flexible in Style and Setting

◾ May take place in a variety of locations: homes, event venues, parks, places of worship, or meaningful outdoor spaces.
◾ Can be casual or formal, structured or relaxed—tailored to the preferences of the family or the wishes of the loved one.
◾ Often scheduled days, weeks, or even months after the passing, allowing more time for planning and gathering.

Focused on Legacy and Connection

◾ Encourages guests to celebrate the lasting impact of the individual’s life.
◾ Provides an uplifting environment for sharing gratitude, laughter, and cherished moments.
◾ Brings family and friends together in remembrance, support, and community.

03/24/2026

Angela A. Casterline

September 16, 1957 ~ March 18, 2026

I’d like the memory of me
to be a happy one,
I’d like to leave an afterglow
of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo
whispering softly down the ways,
of happy times and laughing times
and bright and ...

View Angela A. Casterline's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/24/2026

This is part three of our Understanding Service Options, and will educate you on Cremation Services. (Part 3️⃣ of 4️⃣)

Cremation services offer families flexibility in how they honor and remember their loved ones. These services can be personalized to reflect cultural traditions, spiritual beliefs, and or individual preferences.

◾ Visitation and Ceremony

--Cremation can include a visitation or viewing prior to the cremation process, allowing family and friends to gather, offer support, and say their goodbyes.
--A ceremony or service—religious, spiritual, or secular—may be held before or after cremation.
--Families may choose a traditional funeral‑style service, a memorial service, or a simple gathering centered on remembrance and reflection.

◾ Options for Final Placement

--Burial in a cemetery plot or cremation garden
--Placement in a columbarium niche
--Scattering in a meaningful location (subject to local regulations)
--Keeping the urn at home or in a designated memorial space

◾ Keepsake and Remembrance Options

--Keepsake urns or miniature urns for shared remembrance
--Jewelry containing a small portion of the remains
--Memorial art, such as glass or stone pieces
--Biodegradable urns for eco‑friendly ceremonies or plantings

03/22/2026

Audie J. Hollister, age 71, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 18th, 2026. She was born on May, 20th 1954 in New Castle, PA.

Visitation for Audie will be held on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 at Keenan Funeral Home in West Haven from 8AM - 10AM. A service will held at 10AM at the funeral ho...

03/21/2026

Paul W. Mei Jr., passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026, at the age of 88. Born on July 27, 1937, in New Haven, CT, Paul grew up imbued with a spirit of kindness and adventure that would define his entire life. His final days were spent in Guilford, CT, surrounded by the family he loved.

F...

View Paul W Mei Jr.'s obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/20/2026

Memorial Service (Part 2️⃣ of 4️⃣)

A memorial service is a ceremony held to honor and remember a loved one without the presence of the casket.

Because there is no need for immediate burial or cremation logistics, a memorial service can be scheduled with greater flexibility and is often held weeks or even months after the passing.

Families may choose this type of service to:
--Allow time for relatives and friends to travel
--Create a more personalized or reflective gathering
--Hold the ceremony at a meaningful location
--Plan an event after private burial or cremation

03/17/2026

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! ☘️ From our funeral home family to yours, we wish you a day filled with the warmth of community and the comfort of cherished memories.

While St. Patrick's Day is often associated with lively celebrations and "shenanigans," for many it is also a traditional time for spiritual renewal and offering prayers. In the funeral profession, this holiday can be a meaningful moment to reflect on heritage, the lives of those we've lost, and the "simple blessings" that bring us together. ☘️

03/16/2026

Understanding Service Options (Part 1️⃣ of 4️⃣)

✔️Traditional Funeral Service / Visitation or Viewing

A Traditional Funeral Service is a structured and meaningful way to honor a loved one’s life. This option allows family and friends to gather, share memories, and find comfort in ceremony and community support. The visitation (sometimes called a viewing or wake) provides an opportunity for family, friends, and community members to come together prior to the formal service.

✔️Formal Ceremony

The formal ceremony is the central gathering where family and friends come together to honor and celebrate a life This time allows guests to, Offer condolences and support to the family, Share stories and memories, and sometimes experience a quiet moment of reflection.

✔️Burial or Entombment

Burial (or interment) is the traditional, below-ground placement of a casket or urn within the earth, usually marked by a headstone. Entombment is above-ground, permanent placement of a casket in a crypt within a mausoleum or tomb. While both provide a final resting place, entombment is often chosen for its dry, secure, above-ground location.

03/13/2026

Understanding Service Options

Over the next two weeks, we will take a closer look at each of the service options listed below. Our goal is to provide clear, thoughtful information to help educate our community and explain each option in greater detail. We believe that understanding your choices brings confidence and peace of mind when important decisions need to be made.

As always, if you have questions or would like to speak with someone directly, we are just a phone call away.

1️⃣Traditional Funeral Service-Visitation or viewing
-Formal ceremony
-Burial or entombment

2️⃣Memorial Service
-Ceremony without the presence of the casket
-Can be held weeks or months later

3️⃣Cremation Services
-Can include visitation and ceremony
-Many options for final placement or keepsakes

4️⃣Celebration of Life
-Personalized gathering focused on memories and legacy

03/11/2026

Today we proudly recognize Funeral Director & Mortician Appreciation Day.

We are grateful for our firms dedicated professionals, as well as others thought the world and community, who serve families with compassion, dignity, and care during life’s most difficult moments.

Their commitment, as well as ours to honoring every life and supporting every family is at the heart of what "WE" do. ♥️

Thank you to ALL the Funeral Directors and Morticians who make it possible to serve our community with respect and professionalism each and every day.

03/11/2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Agnes C. Vermeiren, 78, of Meriden, Connecticut, who departed this life on Monday, March 9, 2026. Agnes was born on May 7, 1947, to the late John F. Vermeiren and Suzanne Gelinet-Vermeiren.

She is predeceased by her sister Michelle Ver...

View Agnes C. Vermeiran's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

03/10/2026

Paula Anne King, 57, of Hamden, CT, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 7th, 2026, surrounded by family. She was born on August 3rd, 1968, in New Haven, CT to Allan and Jean King.

During her life, she loved to give the biggest hugs to everyone. She had a big personality and a beautiful...

View Paula Anne King's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.