History & Staff

About Us

Dear friends,

The year 2014 marks an important milestone for the Molden Funeral Chapel, Inc. as we celebrate 120 years of service to the residents of Bristol and the surrounding areas. Four generations of the Molden family have continued to carry on this fine tradition of competent, caring and compassionate service.

Our past…

The firm was founded by Harry Molden (1860-1940), who emigrated from Germany as a young man during the 1800’s. Following his marriage to Katie Betz, he and his wife settled on Bath Street. Harry supported his family by working as a barber and paperhanger, which he continued on a part-time basis after embarking on a career in funeral service.

The February 24, 1884 issue of the Bristol Observer announced that “Harry J. Molden, 542 – 544 Bath Street has resumed the Undertaking business, a profession he followed some years ago. He learned the business in Germany, and attending the college of Philadelphia to complete his knowledge of the embalming process.”

In 1910 he joined in the business by his oldest son, George (1888-1972), who became licensed after attending Eckels College of Embalming in Philadelphia. It was necessary for him to supplement his income, too, and he did this by driving a horse – drawn taxi.

During the early part of the 1900’s in our country, funerals were usually conducted from the home of the deceased. Gradually a trend was starting to have the undertaker use his own home, and Harry did this from his residence on Bath Street.

Then in 1938 something very significant happened. The Moldens decided to purchase a lot on Otter Street and construct a new facility, which included a full chapel, waiting room, office space and rest rooms. This was probably the first building in the area to be constructed specifically for use as a funeral home.

Under George’s energetic leadership and with the advantage of a new facility, the business continued to expand to serve the surrounding communities of Bristol Township, Tullytown, Croydon, and Bensalem.

George, Jr. joined his father in the business in 1950 following his graduation from Ursinus College and Dolans School of Mortuary Science. Both men worked very hard and within the 10 year period from 1958-1968, the building needed two additions; the first to add a display room for caskets and a modern preparation area, and the second to increase the size of the size of the public gathering area.

As the business expanded to the outlying areas, there was a greater need for additional parking. The firm met this need by purchasing the adjoining property and then employed the services of a professional landscaper to beautify the entire property.

The family tradition continued when in 1982 the fourth Molden, Christopher, became licensed as a funeral director following his graduation from Susquehanna University and the American Academy McAllister Institute in New York.

Our Present…

David L. Hernandez Jr, funeral director and Christopher Molden, the fourth generation of family directors, leas the staff comprised of Karen Lamb, Lisa Ruiz, Antonio AliBocas and A staff of this size provides the manpower needed to assure 24 hour service.

In response to meeting the needs of the ever-changing requirements of both the families we serve and the state and federal agencies, the firm undertook major capital improvements during this centennial year. With the 2,200 square foot addition, we now have:

A second chapel
Increased accessibility for handicapped persons
More spacious public areas
A private room for making arrangements
Enlarged office space, including a private office
Large, well-appointed rest rooms

Our Future…

As we move into the 21st Century, we make this pledge to our community: to maintain a good balance between making the changes necessary to meet the challenges of a new era while at the same time continuing to provide the highest quality of competent, caring, and compassionate service for which our firm has become known.

Michael Vito Grandi CFSP Vice President of Operations

Michael V. Grandi began his career in funeral service in 1998. He is a 2000 graduate of the Funeral Service program at Mercer County Community College and became a Licensed Funeral Director in November of 2000. His skills in embalming as well as his care and compassion for people elevated him to a Management position with Waitt Funeral Home in August of 2001. Michael also holds a New Jersey Life Insurance License, giving his firm the opportunity to offer alternative funding options to consumers who wish to prepay their funerals. Michael is a 10 time recipient of the Pursuit of Excellence award, and Hall of Excellence Inductee, the highest honor received in the industry for excellence in funeral service putting his firm in the top 2 percent of funeral homes nationwide. Michael Earned his CFSP (Certified Funeral Service Practitioner) Designation October of 2019

He is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association which he serves as a Trustee, and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. His community involvement is wide spread and he is a charter member and has served 3 years as the President of the Kiwanis Club of Marlboro, 2 years as its secretary and now is the current Treasurer. Michael has remained a member of the Matawan Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce since 2001 and is currently a member of the board. He is a member of the Matawan Italian American Association and supports its charitable endeavors. He sits on the Supervisory Committee for Entertainment Industries Federal Credit Union. In 2013 he became a proud member of the Knights of Columbus Bishop John C. Reiss Council #15964 and earned his 4th Degree November 2, 2014. Michael is a communicant of St. Clement Church in Matawan and is part of the Lector Group. In his spare time he enjoys boating and playing golf. Michael is an avid toy train collector, his collection has been featured numerous times in various publications and well as a content contributor to magazines.

Michael continues to share his experience, knowledge and insight in funeral service, with the staff and families he serves.

"The pride comes from helping each family generate their own creative ideas which leads to the meaningful funeral that represents the life well lived, for those they loved."-Michael V. Grandi
Gary Riker Funeral Director
Morgan Lisco Registered Apprentice

Morgan, a resident of Sayreville joined our team in April of 2018. She is a registered apprentice that has a gift for assisting families in their time of need. Many families have dealt with Morgan during visitation, memorial and funeral services.

An Amateur geologist, in her spare time she studies and prospects the local area looking for valuable minerals and gemstones. One of her prized findings is a moon rock located in Cheesequake State Park in Old Bridge. The only known moon rock to be found in Old Bridge Township.
Christopher M. Molden Supervisor

Christopher M. Molden is a lifelong resident of Bristol. He is a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Susquehanna University and the American Academy McAllister Institute of Mortuary Science. Chris has been very active in the community serving as president of the Bristol Rotary Club and the Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation. He has also chaired Historic Bristol Day and coordinated the renovation of the Bristol Train Station. Currently he chairs the Bristol Historic Preservation Inc., as well as remaining active and supportive in many area community activities.
Kathleen Lombardo Accounts Payable Assistant

Kathleen Ann Lombardo, for over 15 years, was a dance educator with the nationally recognized company, American Repertory Ballet and Princeton Ballet School (ARB & PBS).

In addition to teaching for the school, she also taught for ARB’s DANCE POWER, a dance educational residency. A program partnership between New Brunswick Public Schools & Piscataway Township Schools with ARB.

In 2010 she became ARB’s DANCE POWER Coordinator and duties included supervising teachers, creating schedules and overlooking the program in it’s entirety.

Currently, she is an elective teacher for Calvary Christian High School. She teaches Strength and Training and Dance/Movement classes for the 9th-12th grades and is also a substitute teacher for CCS.

Kathleen attends Calvary Chapel of Old Bridge with her loving husband Michael and their two children, Caleb Louis and Abigail Grace. Her and her husband have served in CCOB’s Children’s Ministry as well as other ministries of CCOB.

She loves spending time with her family and her church family.

She has taken a turn in her career and has entered into the accounting world with Jersey Memorial Group and couldn’t be happier to be a part of this extraordinary team.
George Molden Jr. Funeral Director In Memoriam

George Molden Jr. was lifelong Bristol resident and a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II. He is a graduate of Bristol High School, Ursinus College and Dolans Mortuary School in Philadelphia. George was a member of the Bristol Exchange Club, the Bristol Moose, and the Odd Fellows. He remains active and supportive of the community.