Our History

Back in 1886, Amzi M. Posten began providing funeral services to the Jersey Shore area.

Over one and a quarter centuries ago, the area was much less densly populated, and it was not unusual for businesses to offer a variety of now seemingly unrelelated services. What was once a small store-front business focusing on building furniture, and uplhostering, also had the facilities to offer funeral type services. Locations varied from First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands to a nearby location in Navesink. Eventually, the current location was purchased and the business evolved into the full service funeral home we know today. It is one of the oldest Funeral Homes in the Monmouth and Ocean county areas. After over 125 years of continuous service, Posten's Funeral Home is still independently owned and family operated.

Amzi’s two sons, W.H. “Harry” and Hebert Posten worked with their father, and they carried on the business after his passing. They eventually closed the nearby Navesink location and operated exclusively from its then location on the corner of First Avenue and Bay Avenue in Atlantic Highlands.

In the years during and after World War II, funeral customs began to change; the use of a designated “Funeral Home” was becoming more common. The Posten’s purchased the Armstrong estate, known as “Ringwood”, located at 59 East Lincoln Avenue in Atlantic Highlands. With limited modifications, the home was converted to a Funeral Home with the intent of providing a warm, comfortable and home-like atmosphere to the families they served. The building has since been designated as a “Century Home” by the Atlantic Highlands Historical Society. We are very proud to currently be using this facility. The business passed on to Amzi’s grandsons, William H. “Bill” Posten and Elmer Gawler. Elmer retired in 1978, leaving Bill to manage the operations of the business with the assistance of then employee, Frank R. Weiland.

A few years later, in 1983 Frank Weiland, purchased the funeral business from Bill and Kay Posten. Frank continues to own and operate Posten's with emphasis on the traditions, services and care which was begun by the Posten family. It is always Mr Weiland’s intent to strive to maintain and improve on these ideals and provide meaningful and affordable funeral services to any and all who call upon Posten’s.

Posten’s Funeral Home continues to be independently owned and family operated for over 125 years.

Kenneth J. Rau, Senior Director NJ Lic. #3275

Ken-RauMr. Rau has been a Funeral Director at Posten's since 1990 and took on the responsibilities of Senior Director in 2004, being responsible for all funeral services.

He has resided in Eatontown, Highlands and Middletown Township throughout his life.

Ken became interested in funeral service in the late 1960's and continued on that path throughout high school.

He is a graduate of Red Bank Catholic H.S. and received an A.A.S. Degree from Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ.  He continued on to the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service of New York City and graduated with a degree in Funeral Service in 1975.  After completing all residency requirements, he was licensed as a Practitioner of Mortuary Science in1976 (NJ Lic.#3275) including Embalmer & Funeral Director.  From 1976 to 1990 he practiced at the Robert A Braun Home for Funerals in Eatontown before moving to the Bayshore area of Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, and Middletown Twp. in 1990.  In 1999 he furthered his education at the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice earning the degree of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner.

Mr. Rau has been associated with many funeral service organizations, including the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, Monmouth & Ocean County Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice and British Institute of Embalmers.  Additionally he has been involved with several civic organizations such as the Lions Club, and municipal organizations including the Fire Dept. as a former Chief and the First Aid Squad as a former Captain.  He was also a member of the Board of Health in Eatontown and served on the Monmouth County Regional Health Commission #1.  He has received several valor awards for his actions in emergency situations including those from the State of New Jersey, Office of the Monmouth County Fire Marshall, Mid-Monmouth Mutual Aid Association, Borough of Eatontown and the Eatontown, Oceanport, West Long Branch Ex-chiefs Association as well as acknowledgements for his other services.

Mr. Rau is committed to providing personal, professional and meaningful services, meeting the needs of all families who call upon Posten's Funeral Home.

Louis G. Hemko VP / Chief Financial Officer *

Lou-HemkoLou Hemko joined Posten's as an employee in 1995, and was promoted to Vice President of the firm in 2005, performing the functions as the Facilities Manager and Chief Financial Officer.

After graduating Linden High School in 1962, Lou studied at Montana State College, in Bozeman, Montana, and then Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. Lou is also an Army veteran having served his country with the First Army during the Vietnam Era.

Lou's business background experience includes roles in accounting, purchasing, personnel management, and construction management as well as handling oversea’s personnel relocation for Fortune 500 companies

Prior to the working at Posten’s, Lou was the proprietor of Square H. Construction Company in Fords, NJ for over 20 years, where his last role was to serve as President.

* Unlicensed and not qualified to make Funeral arrangements, embalm or conduct Funerals.

In Memoriam: Frank R. Weiland, Owner / Funeral Director NJ Lic. #3008

Frank-WeilandMr. Weiland started his career with a goal toward funeral services in his late teens.  He was a life-long resident of the Atlantic Highlands / Middletown Township area.

Frank was a graduate of Middletown High School, NJ, and he received his A.A. degree from Monmouth College, West Long Branch, NJ and continued on to receive his Funeral Service degree from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, New York City, NY in 1969.  In 1971, after serving his required internship, required by the state, he received his license as a Practitioner of Mortuary Science in New Jersey (NJ Lic. #3008) enabling him to be a Funeral Director and Embalmer.

In 1979, after serving almost 10 years at the Robert A. Braun Home for Funerals in Eatontown, NJ., Mr Weiland took on the Funeral Director responsibilities at Posten’s Funeral Home.  In 1983 Frank purchased the business from the Posten family and was the Owner and President of the firm.

Over the years, Mr. Weiland had been involved as a member of the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association and Monmouth & Ocean Counties Funeral Directors Association, where he served as an officer and for over 20 years had been on the Cemetery Board of Bayview Cemetery in Leonardo, NJ.  Additionally, Mr Weiland had been involved in and a supporter of many church, civic and municipal functions in the local area.  His involvements included memberships in the Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club where he has been recognized for his support, efforts, and accomplishments.  Additionally, Frank sponsored several scholarship grants for local college-bound high school seniors.

Frank passed away on November 16, 2017. His obituary can be found here.

Member Access

Login