Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home has served the area since it was founded by E. Haas Gallaway Sr. in 1935. The original Funeral Home was in Millington but moved to its present location in Basking Ridge in 1936. The Bernardsville location was acquired in 1950 to better serve the residents of Bernardsville. The two locations have and will continue to serve families now and into the third generation.

At the present time the business is managed by E. Haas Gallaway Jr. and is assisted by Bruce Wilber who has been an intricate member of the firm for more than 25 years. Also assisting in the everyday business is, Haas’ son Christopher Gallaway and his Nephew Michael Gallaway.  
Haas has been in the business since 1960 and is looking forward to a reduction of his responsibilities in the next few years as he trains Michael to be the next licensed manager. Michael grew up in Bernardsville and has graduated from the Simmon’s Institute of Funeral Service in Syracuse, NY. He will be receiving his NJ Practitioner of Mortuary Science license in October of this Year.

During our interview both Haas and Michael spoke about how the family funeral home is more than just a business. Haas said that, “When you look at your occupation as a job instead of a profession it will show in the way you relate to people.” “Being a Funeral Director is a difficult profession.” “You are on call 24 hours a day seven days a week and always have to be ready and available to help a family no matter how you are feeling.”

“The most satisfaction I get is being able to take most of the problems that a death creates off the shoulders of the survivors and get them through the funeral process.” “Our goal is to leave them with a positive remembrance of their loved one’s funeral that allows them to grieve and accept their loss which in turn allows the bereaved to resume their daily lives.”

Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home has served the area for 73 years and is pleased that the firm will continue under family ownership and management. “We hope to continue operating both of our locations and never know if we will expand into other areas.” “This however will be for the next generation to decide,” said Haas.