By Thomas A. Parmalee
Elisha Elliott, a longtime staff member at McGuinness Funeral Home in Woodbury and Sewell, New Jersey, was honored by the Greater Washington Township Chamber of Commerce with the Rick Zammer Business Hall of Fame Award earlier this year.
“She wears the hat of all hats — doing all the things,” the chamber announced on its website in advance of a dinner that honored Elliott for her achievement. “You can always catch her at a networking event, a fundraising event, supporting fellow businesses and looking for any way to be involved.”
A graduate of Deptford Township High School, Elliott earned a Bachelor of Arts in liberal arts and English from Glassboro State College and has worked at the funeral home, which is owned by Foundation Partners Group, for about 12 years, serving as its community engagement lead and as a certified life celebrant.
She’s also a faithful servant of the Lord, serving as a deacon and Bible study coordinator for First Presbyterian Church of Woodbury Heights and is involved in the community as a volunteer and supporter for Angels Community Outreach, People for People Foundation, South Jersey Dream Center, JR’s Angels, The Marine Corps League Toys for Tots and Rowan University’s Holiday Helper Annual Auction.
Elliott, who said she was honored to receive the award, noted that a deep commitment to the local community is vital for any funeral home.
“When we’re busy with cases, it can be easy to let community outreach slide,” she said. “But showing up — whether it’s at a Rotary meeting or placing 9/11 memorial flags — reminds community members that we care about their lives, not just their losses. That trust is priceless.”
FuneralVision.com recently caught up with Elliott to learn more about how she found her way into funeral service, how she approaches her work and her passion for the local community.
You’ve worked at McGuinness Funeral Home almost 12 years … are you a licensed funeral director?
I am not a licensed funeral director, but I work hand-in-hand with them every day and have profound respect for the work they do. I’ve considered pursuing a funeral director’s license, but I don’t think performing the behind-the-scenes work is where I belong. My strengths are in walking families through the grieving process – supporting them at the worst moments of their lives. I focus on building relationships, learning about the lives they shared with their loved ones and honoring that connection. That’s where I can help families the most. Often, families are unaware that funeral homes offer this level of support.
What training has helped you succeed in funeral service and as a celebrant?
I have a diverse educational background, including degrees in English, education and psychology. I’ve been a reading specialist, a technical writer and a youth minister. More importantly, I’ve developed very strong people skills — compassion, empathy and especially listening — through my education and through my own personal experiences. My work as a corporate trainer in the 1990s taught me the difference between hearing someone and truly listening, including reading body language. I was ordained as a minister in 2020, received a Certified Life Celebrant designation in 2023 and have completed many courses in grief management and mental health first aid. As a celebrant, I spend hours with each family to craft a deeply personal service. Some service scripts are 18–20 pages long because I try to include every story a family shares, creating a vivid timeline of their loved one’s life. Even in the most difficult situations, like suicide, I help each family address reality, remove the “elephant in the room” and remember their loved one for their life, not just their death.
Was funeral service always your calling … how did you find the profession?
I’ve always been very sensitive to the feelings of others, but funeral service found me through my work as a funeral coordinator at my church. I worked closely with the McGuinness Funeral Home team on many church services and got to know them and the work they do. I learned that my personal experience and background in education and psychology makes me well suited to helping others move forward toward a more positive journey through grief. Working with the bereaved is the most rewarding and influential position I have ever held. As community engagement lead, I also organize events for families and the wider community, forging lasting professional connections and acting as a resource for anyone seeking support.
You serve several roles at the funeral home. Do you have a favorite?
Community outreach opened the door for me, but being a certified celebrant combines everything I love — listening, writing and sharing stories that honor loved ones and help ease the grief of families in pain.
What’s a service you were a celebrant for that stands out to you – and why is having a celebrant on staff so important?
One of my most memorable celebrations of life took place in December 2024 for a woman who adored Christmas. Her daughter, who had no religious connection, spoke with me for two and a half hours. I took notes on her every memory, turning them into a service full of warmth and comfort. When I closed the service with one of her mother’s favorite sayings, “Give me two rings when you get home,” the whole room gasped. It was a perfect personal touch. Months later, people were still talking about it. Having a celebrant on staff gives families without a church connection someone who can create something deeply personal. I am proud to support our McGuinness team of funeral directors and appreciate the confidence they have placed in me for more than 11 years.
You are very involved in the community and started the WWKD (What Would Katharine Do?) Scholarship Foundation, which honors Katharine Campbell. Who was she?
Katharine Campbell was my daughter’s best friend — she was like a daughter to me. She was vibrant, smart and compassionate; the kind of person destined to change the world. She was a 2015 graduate of Gloucester County Institute of Technology and a selfless community volunteer. When she died suddenly at the age of 20 in 2017, I needed to channel my grief into something meaningful for my daughter and our community.
When did you start the foundation – and how fulfilling has it been to operate it/make an impact in the lives of others via the scholarships?
I started the What Would Katharine Do Scholarship Foundation in 2020 with the blessing of Katharine’s mother. This scholarship foundation awards two $1,500 scholarships per year to deserving high school seniors. It’s not an academic scholarship, but rather a life philosophy scholarship. It honors the memory of Katharine, who left behind many philanthropic projects. It is our purpose and passion to continue her work and to recognize the students who embody her vision and spirit. Our annual fundraiser, a Valentine Tea Social in February, has been quite successful. Some of the earliest recipients now serve on our board and hearing how Katharine’s memory has impacted their lives is extremely life-affirming.
Is there any other work in the community you’d like to highlight?
My most significant volunteer work is with the scholarship foundation. Katharine’s loss provided me with a profound understanding of traumatic grief and inspired me to transform my own challenges into opportunities to support others. I’m also proud of the McGuinness team’s efforts for local food pantries. We hold frequent food drives, especially during the summer when children no longer have access to school meals. I can’t bear the thought of any child going hungry.
How gratifying was it to be honored with the Greater Washington Township Chamber of Commerce Rick Zammer Business Hall of Fame Award?
Receiving the Rick Zammer Award from the Washington Township Chamber is a tremendous honor. I have always looked up to previous recipients for their kindness, generosity and integrity. Being recognized among them and helping to uphold Zammer’s legacy is extremely meaningful to me. This award goes beyond local recognition; it reflects the positive impact we can achieve when we genuinely care.
What’s a book you have read that has had a profound impact on you and why?
The Bible has been an ever-present influence on my life for the foundation it gives me in life and service. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is another; it opened my eyes to the resilience of children during WWII and reminded me to be grateful for what I have and the opportunities we enjoy.
Elisha Elliott can be reached at elisha.elliott@mcgfuneral.com
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