Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home

Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home has been a trusted pillar of the Waukesha, Wisconsin community for over 125 years. Founded in 1897 by Joseph Cesarz and Erling Larsen under the name Erling & Cesarz Funeral Home, the business has evolved through several name changes—including Erling Larsen Funeral Home and Cesarz and Zinnecker—before formally incorporating in 1968 under its current three-partner name. The public name was adopted in 1993, honoring the legacy of Joseph Cesarz, Donald Charapata, and Grant Zinnecker. Grant Zinnecker served as a partner for approximately 25 years before selling his interest in 1992 to join the Peace Corps. The funeral home has been located at 237 North Moreland Boulevard since the 1960s, offering a welcoming and accessible facility that includes a chapel, reception and event space, and areas for private and identification viewings.

As a full-service funeral home, Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker offers a comprehensive range of services to meet the diverse needs of the families it serves. These include traditional burial and cremation services, funeral and memorial services, celebration of life events, and pre-need planning (both funeral preplanning and prepaid cremation). The facility features audio-visual equipment, large capacity spaces, and a multi-sensory experience for personalized tributes. Additional services include livestreaming, catered events, live music options, aftercare and grief support, memorial programs, flower arrangement delivery, and home delivery or priority mail of ashes. The funeral home also offers cultural and religious options for multicultural funerals. While it does not operate an on-site cemetery or crematory, and does not offer pet cremation, licensed grief therapy, or legal and estate planning services, it coordinates closely with local providers to ensure seamless care.

Accessibility and inclusivity are hallmarks of this funeral home. The facility is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible entrance, parking lot, restroom, and seating. It offers free on-site parking and language assistance services. The business is proudly LGBTQ+ friendly, reflecting its commitment to serving all members of the community with dignity and respect. Families consistently praise the staff for their professionalism, empathy, and responsiveness. The funeral home holds a 4.6-star rating on Google and a perfect 5.0-star rating on its own site, with reviewers highlighting the compassionate care, well-maintained facilities, and the staff's ability to guide families through difficult arrangements with ease.

Burial services start at $4,320 and cremation services start at $4,220, with transparent pricing available in the general price list. The funeral home operates Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm, with weekends available by appointment and a 24/7 answering service. Recent obituaries are published online, allowing the community to stay connected and offer condolences. Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home continues to honor its long-standing tradition of exceptional service, helping families in Waukesha and the greater Milwaukee area find comfort and closure during life's most difficult moments.