Funeral Home Seeks Relatives Of Bergen County Woman, 92, Who Died Alone

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — After a 92-year-old woman died alone in a nursing home, a Bergen County based funeral parlor is looking for relatives to help set her to rest. And other residents have joined in the search.

According to the Record of Hackensack, Carmela Polimeni of Leonia died at CareOne at Cresskill on July 17. "Despite efforts to locate next of kin or other legal representatives, no one has come forward to claim the body," reads a legal notice.

The ad was placed by Aree Booker, the director of Eternity Funeral Services in Englewood.

Residents around the area have taken to Facebook to try to find relatives or provide information.

"This is very sad and please share," said a woman who posted in the "I grew up in Leonia" group.

"I will say upfront I do not know this woman," wrote someone in a New Jersey group. "But she’s a #JerseyGirl, just like me. And sadly, she passed away in July. What is even more sad is that no one has claimed her as a family member. So sadly, she waits for her final place of rest… alone."

Other commenters suggested that people should volunteer in nursing homes, since there are always residents without family close by to visit them.

A story in the Record says that Polimeni had a brother who died more than 20 years ago, and that no family had visited her in 25 years. She didn't have children, but the brother had a son whom the funeral home has not been able to find. They called phone numbers listed for friends and family, but those no longer work, they said.

Patch has also called the funeral home for an update, and will add more information if it's released. (You can also reach Patch here.)

A Bergen County-based group says that they will post information about her burial for the many people who are interested.

The funeral home said if no one claims the body by Aug. 17, they will follow local laws "and have her buried respectfully."

Call Booker at 201-568-2671 if you have information.