Meet Our Funeral Professionals

Each of the staff members at Vander Plaat Colonial Home is committed to providing your family with the finest in personal end-of-life care. In fact, for years, it’s been comforting for area families to know that we are available to help at any time of the day or night.

When a loved one dies, all you need to do is contact us today. From that moment on, we’ll take on the responsibilities of the physical care of your loved one, and the emotional care of those left behind.

Please take a few minutes to get to know our funeral home staff. We’re sure you’ll find each of us to be all that you would hope for in a trusted funeral professional.

Meet Our Staff

Jim Vander Plaat

Funeral Director, NJ LIC #3166

Email: jim@vpmemorial.com

James Vander Plaat was born in 1951 to William and Wilma Vander Plaat. He is Fourth Generation of Vander Plaat Funeral Professionals and has been in funeral service for the past 35 years.

A graduate of Eastern Christian High School, Kings College of New York and the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, Jim has been a part of the Vander Plaat-Vermeulen Memorial Home since 1974.

Jim lived in North Haledon for over 20 years where he raised his family before moving to Hawthorne with his wife Virginia “Ginny”. He has two sons David and Nicholas, and four daughters; Kristin, Debra, Andrea and Marina.

Over the years he has been active in both his community and church. He has formerly been a member of the First Christian Reformed Church of Haledon where he served as deacon and elder. He was a former member of the Haledon Emergency Ambulance Corp. and coached the Eastern Christen Junior High Basket Ball and North Haledon girls’ softball.

He currently is a member of Rockpoint Community Church where he serves as Finance Ministry Team leader, elder and President of the church. Jim is also currently the treasurer of the Franklin Lakes Lions Club and serves on the Board of the Holland Christian Home

Throughout the years, Jim has been extremely generous and supported numerous local charities and organizations and is always ready to lend a hand. In 2010 he with his son Nick started hosting a “First Responders Beefsteak” for the local Police, Fire and Ambulance Squads. He felt that it was his way of saying an extra “Thank You” to all those who put their lives on the line for others.

Nicholas Vander Plaat

Manager, NJ LIC #4711

Email: nicholas@vpmemorial.com

Nicholas Vander Plaat was born in 1982 in Ridgewood New Jersey and is Jim’s son. He is Fifth Generation of Vander Plaat Funeral Professionals and has been in funeral service since 2006.

Nick and his wife Kristen live in North Haledon with their daughter Samantha. They are both graduates of Eastern Christian High School. Nick received his Associate’s Degree in Business Management from Bergen County Community College and then graduated from the American Academy Institute of Mortuary Science in 2006.

Nick is a member of Rockpoint Community Church in North Haledon and participates there playing Bass Guitar for the “Praise Band”. He was also active at Hawthorne Gospel Church with their Sunday night service and plays guitar for their band as well and many other Churches and Organizations. He is also a board member of New Hope Ministries and member of the Oakland Franklin Lakes Rotary.

Nick is known for taking great pride in serving families with the utmost care and compassion possible in their time of need. There is not a time when he is called upon that he does not try his best to help others.

Erica La Morte

Funeral Director, NJ LIC #4273

Email: ericalamorte@gmail.com

Erica grew up in Parsippany, NJ and graduated from Morris Catholic High School in Denville, NJ. While attending high school, she decided to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a funeral director. She graduated from the County College of Morris obtaining an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration. Furthering her education, in 1997 she attended and graduated from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City.

Erica is a licensed funeral director with over 25 years experience. She takes great pride in providing compassion to the families in Bergen County during their time of need to arrange a loving tribute for their loved one. She values the relationships she makes in the process. For many years she was the Secretary of the Morris County Funeral Director’s Association and most recently served as President. Erica supports the 200 Club of Morris County and resides in Somerset County.