Testimonials - West Haven & North Branford, CT

I would just like to say thank you very much for the services I attended for my friend Stevie Marchitto on March 24th 2024. The services were great, the staff was very compassionate and very helpful especially Mr. Dave Chambers. He was very helpful, very courteous, and especially helpful. Thank you so much for helping us say farewell to a good friend.

They are very organized, and nice. Very kind, and I would like to recommend them to everyone.

Dear Keenan Home staff,

Thank you for organizing, and managing mom's services. Sarah did a wonderful job, and made a difficult time in our lives a little easier.

Thank you so much for planting a tree to honor our mother, Viola Abel. Also on behalf of our family we want to thank you for your help at this most difficult time. Your professionalism & thoughtfulness are greatly appreciated.

Sarah Rivera provided a beautiful viewing for sister Kathryn who recently passed. She also coordinated her burial with St. Lawrence Cemetery. She helped make our loss less stressful by making everything run smoothly and professional. Thanks Sarah.

We can't thank you enough for your help and guidance after the passing of our our dad/grandfather, Jerry Kelley. Also, for the planting of a tree in his honor.

Phil & staff of Keenan Funeral Home,
Thank you for your kindness during a most difficult time in our lives, and for planting a tree in my mom's memory.
Everything went smoothly, and we are grateful that you were there to guide us through.

I want to thank Phil Apell for his outstanding help and compassion for me in the passing of my husband in December. When you lose someone you can't think straight, but Phil guided me every step of the way. When it was time for me to have his military service all I had to do was call Phil. He truly was my saving grace. The service for my husband was absolutely beautiful. Thank you Phil it was because of you that I now have peace in my heart ♥.

Dear Phil and staff,
Months have passed, and I have not been able to sit down and write to all of you.
Needless to say, you are all exceptional people: caring, compassionate, and gracious. We could not have managed the funeral arrangements by ourselves. Every detail you helped us with was truly a fitting tribute to Bob. You guided us through the many details with patience and took care of everything we asked for including the military service, and bag piper.
The video you created was exceptional. It was, and still is, a difficult time. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude go out to you and everyone who made the day bearable.

To the Staff at Keenan:
We wanted to extend our appreciation for all the support given to our family during this difficult time. Your attention to detail and professionalism did not go unnoticed. Thank you.

Phil, I want to thank you so much for your compassion and help. This has been such a difficult time for me. You are an "Angel".

Phil, my family and I can’t thank you enough. You were so comforting to us from the minute we stepped in the door. We felt like we were in the company of family. You took the stress off of our shoulders. We were able to honor my husband in the way that he wanted. You listened to us but also gave us great ideas. Thank you for making an unbearable situation something we can remember as beautiful. We were able to mourn but also celebrate John’s life. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Linda, David and Michael Mansfield

We would like to thank you for your help with our mother's passing. You were kind, caring, and professional. You really made us feel comfortable. We know mom's death was treated with deep respect. You hold a place in our hearts.

~This may sound corny, but I’ll write it anyway!
~In October of ‘97, THE LORD called my Mom Home. We used Keenan in North Branford to get us thru this tough time! She was the back bone of a family whose Husband and Dad was a career Navy man, and we felt she deserved special treatment!
~Keenan Funeral Home did just that!
~Almost 25 years later, on Sept. ‘22, that Navy man, our Dad, Poppy, Uncle, and Friend…THE LORD called Home. We felt Dad deserved to be Honored for his services to GOD, Country, family, and Friends!
~Keenan Funeral Home did just that!
~NOW…for the corny part: When the sad, but Honoring services for Dad were complete at the cemetery, we shook hands with Phil and Erin thanking them for all they had done.
~OH…and I’d like to thank Beth, in the West Haven Facility for giving herself to helping and guiding my youngest Daughter who took the reigns in all this
~But it wasn’t as if we were shaking hands, parting company with two Funeral Directors, it was truly a sad feeling that we had made real Friends that felt everything we felt thru all of this…and parting of company with those dear friends was a sad moment as well!
~I didn’t see where to tap the Stars…but trust that my Family and myself give these folks a 5 Star rating!!!
~Phil, Erin, and Beth: thank you, and GOD Bless you from the bottom of the Shatto’s Family’s heart!!!

I would like to thank Phil Appell and staff at Keenan Funeral Home for the exceptional customer service they provided me and my family. Our Mother passed away and Phil and his staff were so compassionate and caring to me and my entire family. They made a difficult process as smooth as possible, and were readily available for any questions or concerns. We have been using Keenan Funeral Home for family members since the 1950's and have never been disappointed with their services. Thank you Phil and to all the Keenan staff members.

The Northford-North Branford Women's Club, GFWC would like to thank you for your generous support of our first ever Charity Golf Tournament. The day was beautiful and the golfers enjoyed a spectacular event. Every contribution was important in ensuring such a successful outcome. Most importantly, the funds raised go directly to support Read to Grow and other local charities. Again, thank you for supporting our efforts.

Phil,
Many thanks to you and your team for all your help and special efforts on behalf of the Allen family. Everything went incredibly smoothly from the beginning through today's service and was greatly appreciated by all. Please also pass on our special thanks to the priest, who did an excellent and moving job in helping us say goodbye, in God's presence.

A few words regarding the Keenan Funeral Home and their handling of services for my son. I cannot find the words to express how gracious, kind, informative, and professional Phil Appell and his staff were while completing all aspects of the arrangements. Phil's suggestions were spot on, and there were no financial surprises. I would certainly recommend the Keenan Funeral Home to anyone seeking such services.

When our father passed away, I called many funeral homes to discuss services our family wanted, which would be different than the way most are handled. Cost was also something for discussion. Phil asked me the important questions first which were about my father and how we were doing. He was always patient and made me feel that he had all the time I needed to plan and was never in a hurry. If I left him a message, he returned my call immediately. Phil was exceptionally clear and, of course, knowledgeable about how the process would be handled. There were things we decided not to have because of cost. Phil would not allow those things to be left out and added those services back in with no charge to us. This was something he insisted on doing because he said, "It's not about the business. It's about your loved one and making it right." Thank you Phil and the entire staff at Keenan Funeral Home for giving our father a beautiful service.

I can not thank Phil and staff at Keenan, enough, for the exemplary job they did with my mother's funeral arrangements and the work they did to make her look like my mother once again. It was comforting to know that during this extremely difficult time, that we did not have to worry about any of the arrangements. Phil's compassion and professionalism are incomparable. I do not have strong enough words of Thanks to express my gratitude to Phil and his staff ,

Our family appreciated the great care we received from Keenan Funeral Home. Phil Appell was wonderful to work with. He guided us through with compassion and patience and took care of everything. Phil and his team helped us to get through a very difficult time and we are very grateful.

An experience like no other yet Phil was a trooper right to the end. My dad’s service was quite different to say the least and Phil has become one of the most patient and comforting individuals I’ve ever gotten to know. The passing of my father was the most difficult thing I’ve ever been through but together as a team, Keenan worked with my family to make things happen. Jodi was compassionate at the service as was her coworker. (I’m sorry I didn’t catch his name). If you’re looking for a funeral home to guide you and your family through a loss, look to Keenan and allow Phil and staff take care of you. You’re in amazing hands, trust me. Forever grateful for having Phil lead us. My dad is finally at peace. Thank you!

I want to thank you and Phil for being so patient.

It was a pleasure to do business with you.

Special thanks to Jodi for your kindness and compassion while working with us to plan my mom's funeral service. I really appreciate your helpful suggestions and gentle guidance at such a difficult time. It is comforting to know my mom's funeral was so beautiful and just as we wanted it to be. Thank you!

Dear Jodie,
In our family every kind and thoughtful gesture done makes you a part of our family. While we've not met in person, your name received highest praises for your help with the obituary, making crucial changes well after the deadline and saving our family money and a lot of stress.
Then there was the beautiful video collage you came in to complete on your day off. Above and beyond during a pandemic!!
Our mother and grandmother's legacy is complete in print and video because of your attention to detail.
With gratitude and appreciationfor all you did, Thank You!!

Jodie, Thank you for all your hard work!

Dear Phil and Dedicated Staff,

Please accept our heartfelt thanks for all of your compassionate care and help throughout the planning of and the services for our beloved father Pasquale Young. We sincerely appreciate your accommodating our every request and providing steady guidance and comfort during this difficult time. We were so pleased with the high level of professionalism and the respect and dignity you showed us and our father.

Sincerely and with love,
Mary and Elizabeth

Thank you for all your help and guidance through planning our mother Daphne's ceremony. You helped lower our stress tremendously and we appreciate it all. We hope not to see you often but when, know who to call if need be. Thank you again so much.

Hi Phil,

I have had much on my mind this last month, many thoughts about family, life and death and how fleeting this world is. In my deep thoughts, you have been on my mind like an old friend. I want to express what a comfort you were to me and my cousin Janneke during this difficult time. It was much more than doing your job, you made me feel like I was your only concern. I contacted you often as I did not understand these military matters - plus the restrictions with Covid-19 made everything that much more complicated. I trusted you and my trust was well placed. This is the smallest token of my humble gratitude and thanks for everything you did to make this sad process as smooth as it could be. I am blessed to know you. Humble regards,

I would like to thank the entire staff of the Keenan Funeral Home for your warmth and support after my mom’s recent death. From the moment I met Phil, I knew that Keenan was the right place to be. You and your staff did everything to ensure my mom’s final journey would be perfect. First, and most importantly, she looked so beautiful again which really helped heal the unpleasant images of her final years. Also, the many personal touches you provided made everything feel so meaningful, such as the personalized prayer cards with my mom’s own photo and prayer… but there were so many other details. Finally, your “home” itself provided a very warm and relaxing atmosphere that felt so comfortable during this difficult time.

Thank you again for your genuine care, guidance, and patience; Keenan is truly the BEST!

Phil, I just wanted to thank you one more time for everything you did to make my mother's final arrangements perfect. Everything went along smoothly and I have received many compliments on all areas of the services. I truly appreciate how you covered all steps and made our time of grief a little easier.
It was a pleasure doing business with you and much thanks again.

This funeral Home was absolutely amazing from the minute, we called to the entire service. I could have not asked for a better funeral home. Jodie the director met with me and my family to go over everything and she truly touched our hearts and made us feel better about our loss. The entire staff went out of there way for us. I don’t even have words to express how wonderful it was. Thank you all for everything.

When my mother passed, I went to Keenan's to see if they could recomend a funeral home near where she lived so that her friends and neighbors could view her one last time. They were able to work with another funeral home near where my mother lived in Enfield and gave her the service she deserved. I want to thank the entire staff for their care and support during such a difficult time.

Their Understanding and Kindness. Mr Appell is a wonderful person. I was not prepared when I went to meet with him. I did not know what to do. He guided me and I did what had to be done.

To the excellent staff at Keenan, the services you provided for my father’s funeral met the essence of his wishes. Andreas work and patience on our family photos created a captivating video of our family life with Dad. The wake with the many attendees was uplifting and went smoothly. The details to every difficult decision were handled with professional and sincere guidance by Phil. For this entire experience, we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
Sincere thanks from the Zyde family

Our family has and always will use Keenan for honoring our loved ones. The services are done with respect and attention to detail. The tribute video they create is beautifully done and can not only be viewed at the visitation but on DVD for family after. Phil, Andrea, Jack and the entire staff were exceptional in making all the arrangements easy for us to plan. Thank you all.

Thank you so very much for all that you did for our family in our time of sorrow. Keenan Funeral Home is so professional in every way. The staff is exceptional and made us so comfortable during a very difficult time. Andrea has a special place in our hearts because of the CD tribute to our mom and Tim Horan was so helpful to all of us. Thank you once again we will never forget.

Thank you for all the care and comfort provided to all of us.

I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the staff at Keenan for their service at my mother’s recent passing. Everything was handled with the utmost professionalism, compassion and understanding. Also, a special thank you to Phil for his personal attention to every detail on this mournful day.

I have been to numerous services at Keenan over the past several years and the staff has always been attentive to the families needs and concerns. Dean and Phil, the current directors, are readily available whenever someone is in need. I will always use Keenan Funeral Home to honor my loved ones lives.

One can only imagine the heart ache of experiencing a loss until you've actually experienced one. The folks at Keenan funeral home are nothing less then extended family. Their sense of honor and compassion were next to none. Thank you for all that you do!

The staff at Keenan's have always been the greatest. They pay close attention to your needs and are there to help every step of the way.