About Us

Bernie Platt was born in West Chester, PA and is a graduate of Temple University and Eckeles College of Mortuary Science. Bernie and his wife of 61 years, Judy, moved to Cherry Hill in 1966. In 1977, they founded and established Platt Memorial Chapels, Inc. a family owned, full service funeral home located in Cherry Hill.

Bernie extensively served the Jewish Community in Southern New Jersey. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, past president and board member of the Jewish Geriatric Home (Jewish Senior Housing), co-chairman of the Lions Gate CCRC Planning and Development Committee, as well as president of the Southern New Jersey B’nai B’rith Housing Corporation. He was a past president of Jewish Family and Children’s Services, 1982-1984, past president of the former Congregation Beth Jacob-Beth Israel, 1979-1983, chairman of the Congregation Beth Jacob-Beth Israel Building Committee, Executive Board member of Israel Bond Organization, and a member of the Board of Jewish Education, Aleph Home Services and the State Board of Jewish Federations.

Bernie and Judy were founders of the first chapter of the Jewish National Fund in South Jersey, and Bernie served as past president of the Southern New Jersey Council of Jewish National Fund. Bernie and his son, Harry, were the first father and son to co-chair Super Sunday. Bernie was a member of Col. David Marcus Lodge of B’nai Brith, Cherry Hill Lodge #966 of B’rith Shalom and Rising Sun Lodge #15 F.& A.M. Bernie was a member of Temple Beth Sholom, Congregation Sons of Israel and Chabad.

Bernie was active in his civic community for over 40 years. He served as Mayor of Cherry Hill Township from 1979 to 1980, and again from 2002-2012, Deputy Mayor from 1976 to 1979, and Councilman from 1977 to 1985. He served as a member of the Camden County Board of Chosen Freeholders, from 1996 to 1998. Bernie was a past president and chairman of the former West Jersey Arts Center. As a funeral director, Bernie’s professional affiliations included memberships in the West New Jersey Funeral Directors Association and New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association.

Bernie spent his life and his career showing his children and grandchildren how to envelop families with warmth and compassion during their greatest time of need. These are the values his family will proudly continue in his honor.

Harry Platt is a graduate of Cherry Hill High School East, Class of 1983 and received his National and State of New Jersey licenses as a Funeral Director in 1986. Harry is currently the Manager and Vice President of his family’s funeral home, Platt Memorial Chapels, Inc.

Harry has always been very active in his community. He was a founding board member of the Young Leadership Council of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey, a founding member of the Colonel David Marcus Lodge of B’nai Brith and served on the Adult Board of Directors for B’nai Brith. He has served as a board member of Jewish Federation Housing, Cong. Beth El and Jewish Family & Children’s Service and is currently serving on the Advisory Committee for JFCS. Harry served as the President of the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey from 2020 to 2022. He also served as the chairman of the 1721 Development Committee which helped transform the property into Weinberg Commons, a facility that houses both seniors and independent adults with special needs. Harry is a past co-chair for the Allied Jewish Appeal Super Sunday Campaign. He is a Mason and Past Master (1996) of Mizpah-Haddon Heights Lodge #191 F.&A.M. (now Rising Sun Lodge #15, F.&A.M.)

Harry has been active in his civic community since 1998 when he was first elected to Voorhees Township Committee. He served as Mayor of Voorhees from 2001 to 2004, as Deputy Mayor from 2012 to 2015 and continues as the longest serving member of the Voorhees Township Committee in Township history. Since becoming a member of the Township Committee, Harry has served on the Planning Board, The Buzby Landfill Task Force, and the Camden County Open Space Advisory Committee. He was formerly the Voorhees Public Safety Director, Liaison to the Voorhees Cultural & Diversity Council and currently serves as the Township Liaison to the Voorhees Township Economic Development Committee. Harry was honored by the Voorhees Breakfast Rotary as the the Voorhees Businessperson of the Year in 2011 and was honored with the “Lights of Tomorrow” award from The Jewish Business Network. Harry and his father Bernie were recognized by the New York Times and People Magazine in 2002, for their dedication to the communities they serve, and as the only known father and son Mayors of neighboring towns in the history of the United States.

Harry is married to Hilary Platt and together they have a son Jacob Platt, who works at Platt Memorial Chapels as a licensed funeral director along side of his father and Zayde. They have a daughter & son-in-law; Jaclyn Platt Isadore and her husband Dylan Isadore and in August of 2022 he welcomed his first grandchild Samuel.

As a physical therapist, funeral director at Platt Memorial Chapels, Inc. and life-long community member, Alison has made community service and caring for seniors and their families the focus of her life’s work. Alison has served in many capacities in both secular and Jewish organizations, including; Past-President of Federation Senior Housing Associates, Rehab Director at Jewish Geriatric Home, Harry B. Kellman Academy School Board, Board of Directors Thomas Jefferson University-CAHS Alumni Association, Sunday School teacher at Temple Emanuel, Co-chair JNF Green Sunday, Co-President Temple Beth Sholom Pre-school Home and School Association, Temple Beth Sholom Pre-school and Day Camp boards, Jewish Geriatric Home Auxiliary, Coach of the National Award winning Cherry Hill East Dance Team, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Gala committee, Little Rock Foundation Gala committee, and Dancing with the Cherry Hill Stars.

Currently, Alison is a member of Congregation Beth El in Voorhees and is active as a member of the Jewish Senior Housing and Healthcare Services Board of Trustees, now serving as Secretary of the Executive Committee, a member of the Friends of Jewish Senior Housing Board and Executive Committee, Politz Day School Board, and the Cooper Hospital Foundation’s Pink Roses/Teal Magnolias committee.

A graduate of Thomas Jefferson University, Alison was recognized for her achievements in the volume, “Thomas Jefferson University; A Chronological History.” In addition, she was honored with the “Lights of Tomorrow” award from The Jewish Business Network – a project of Lubavitch House – and the “Sis Levy Service Award” from the Federation Senior Housing Associates. Alison was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and graduated first in her class from the Funeral Service program at Mercer County College.

Rena has been a principal at Platt Memorial Chapels since 1995. In her position as Administration Director, she is responsible for Finances as well as day to day office operations. A lifelong Cherry Hill resident, Rena has served in a number of professional, educational and community service oriented roles.

Following graduation from Hofstra University with a Bachelor’s in Business and Marketing, Rena worked as the Environmental Education Coordinator for Camden County, connecting with students across the County to educate them on the concept of recycling and its effects on sustainability. In keeping with her passion for education, Rena went back to school and earned her Master’s Degree and Certification in Elementary Education from Holy Family College (now University).

Rena began a 10 year teaching career in the religious school at Temple Beth Sholom in Cherry Hill. During this time, she also became the USY Director of TBS, a position she held for 5 years. Rena was recognized by the Hagesher Region USY Board as the “Advisor of the Year” for outstanding dedication and leadership to the Hagesher Region Youth. A longstanding member of Temple Beth Sholom, Rena is a member of TBS’ Board of Directors, serving as its Special Events Chair and Sisterhood.

In addition to her synagogue involvement, Rena continues to be active in the Community in many different ways. She is a Board member of the Jewish Federation Department of Jewish Education, Vice-President of the Board of Trustees at Kellman Brown Academy, former board member of the JGH Auxiliary at Lion’s Gate, serving 2 terms as President of the Board, a lifetime member of Hadassah, member of the Kellman Brown Academy Tribute Dinner Committee and has chaired JNF’s Green Sunday. Rena is a past participant and graduate of the Jewish Federation Leadership Institute and was also active in the Parent Teacher Organizations at Kellman Brown Academy and at the Preschool at Temple Beth Sholom.

Rena recently completed her studies at Mercer County Community College in the Funeral Services Program where she graduated first in her class and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Having successfully passed all of the State and National Licensure exams, Rena is excited to continue working alongside her family in an additional capacity as a Licensed Funeral Director.

Jacob Platt is the newest licensed funeral director at Platt Memorial Chapels. Jacob graduated Eastern High School in 2017 and received his National and State of New Jersey licenses as a Funeral Director in 2021.

He is a proud lifelong member of the South Jersey Jewish community, and has been involved as a member of Cong. Beth El, graduating from their Hebrew School and Hebrew High School. He is also a member of BBYO. Jacob attended and worked at Tall Pines Day Camp until 2017. He is looking forward to embracing the community and continuing the Jewish values and traditions that he grew up with.

Joshua A. Goldstein is the newest third generation Platt to join the family business. Before receiving his degree and Proficiency in Funeral Services, Joshua attended Kellman Brown Academy through 8th grade and continued his secondary education at Cherry Hill East, where he was a javelin thrower for 4 years on the Track and Field team.

A lifelong member of Temple Beth Sholom in Cherry Hill, Joshua was a Hebrew tutor in the school for three years and was active in BBYO. He also worked as a counselor at the JCC Camps at Medford until 2018, when he was named Counselor of the Year.

Joshua looks forward to continuing to serve his community and carrying on the legacy that his late grandfather, Bernie, started nearly 50 years ago.

Kody is the Comfort Dog at Platt Memorial Chapels, Inc. He is only scheduled to come into the office two days a week but could be available should a family request. He is a valued member of our team bringing solace to whoever needs it. Kody is hypoallergenic, so even those with allergies to dogs can be comforted.