HISTORY OF A. S. COLE SON & CO.
In 1858 Alexander S. Cole became the owner of a furniture maker company that supplied caskets to the residents of Cranbury. When young Alexander acquired the business, he began to offer additional services to the families, and it soon became known that A. S. Cole was the undertaker for Cranbury residents. Years later, Alexander's son, William S. joined his father to improve the range of services and at the turn of the century, the firm became known as A. S. Cole Son & Co. At that same time, Isaac C. Hoffman, Alexander's son-in-law joined the firm.
Serving as both a furniture and funeral establishment for many years, the firm phased out the furniture aspects of the business in 1937 under the ownership of William C. Hoffman and Fred L. Hoffman, the sons of Isaac. These two men continued to prosper as A. S. Cole Son & Co. Funeral Directors. Most funerals at that time were held at a family's home, and what few that were not were held at the residence of Mrs. Isaac C. Hoffman, located across from the present funeral home. William C. Hoffman acquired full ownership of the firm in 1951 and perpetuated the tradition of service and excellence established by his grandfather nearly a century before.
In 1973, Mr. Hoffman sold the business to Mahlon M. Thompson. His daughter, Christine A. Thompson joined the firm in 1980. Together, they modernized and expanded the funeral services available to the residents of Cranbury and the surrounding communities of Central New Jersey. In 1991, Mahlon Thompson retired, and A. S. Cole Son & Co. was acquired by W. William Saul owner of Saul Funeral Homes, Inc. a family-owned firm located in Hamilton Square, New Jersey. At that time, Christine A. Thompson was appointed Manager of the location and she continues to serve in that position today.
During the past decade, the facility has been renovated according to the requirements of ADA specifications, enabling us to meet the needs of the families we serve today in both Middlesex and Mercer counties.
Printer-friendly Driving Directions
 Click here for printer friendly directions
* Adobe Acrobat required to view printable directions.
From New York: (approximately 1½ hours from New York City):
Take the New Jersey Turnpike South to Exit 8A (Jamesburg/Cranbury). Go through the toll booth and bear to the right, continue around ramp. Stay in the left lane - follow signs for Cranbury and Rt. 535, make a left at the light onto Cranbury Road. Go through three (3) lights - bear to the right (sign says "All Traffic") - make a left at the light onto Rt. #130, then immediate right off exit "Cranbury." Make 1st right turn onto Plainsboro Rd. At the light make a left onto N. Main St. Continue three (3) blocks. The Funeral Home is on the left, accross from the Methodist Church. Continue past the funeral home and turn left onto Scott Avenue, parking lot entrance is on the left.
From the South:
Take the New Jersey Turnpike North to Exit 8 (Hightstown). After the toll, continue straight down the ramp and onto Route #33 West. Follow 33 West to a traffic light (Maxwell Avenue). Continue straight into the center of Hightstown and at the next light the Fire House will be directly in front of you. Make a right onto Main Street and continue straight until you intersect with Route #130. Cross over Route #130 (both lanes) and follow signs for Route #539 North/Cranbury. Continue straight for about ½ mile and you will come to a traffic light. Go through the traffic light and you are now on Main Street. Follow for about ½ mile and you will see the lake on your right. Make the next right onto Scott Avenue and the parking lot entrance is on the left.
From Route #1, North or South:
Take the Scudders Mills Road Exit off of Route #1. Continue straight on Scudders Mills Road for approximately 6 ½ miles following signs toward Cranbury. You will come to a traffic light at North Main Street in Cranbury and make a right. Continue into the center of Cranbury and the funeral home is just past the PNC Bank on the left. We are directly across the street from the Methodist Church. Go past the funeral home and turn left onto Scott Avenue. The parking lot is on the left.
From the Shore Points:
Take Interstate 195 West to Route #130 North towards New Brunswick. Continue on Route #130 North through 13 traffic lights and at the 13th light you will be at the intersection of Route #130 North and Old Cranbury Road. Continue straight through the light and you will come to the Cranbury circle. Follow signs for Route #539 North/Cranbury on your left and you will cross over Route #130 South. Follow this road for about ½ mile and you will come to the intersection of Main Street and Old Trenton Road at a light. Continue through the light and continue for ½ mile past the lake. Make the next right onto Scott Avenue and the entrance to the parking lot is on the left. | 
