Compassion and innovation are embedded in the roots of Busch Funeral and Crematory Services—and it all starts with our caring Busch staff.
In our 100+ years serving Northeast Ohio, we’ve helped countless families plan unique and meaningful final arrangements for their lost loved ones. And we wouldn’t be able to do it without our expertly trained care center staff:
- Care center manager: Dana Ivins
- Lead embalmers: Kent Berkheimer and Elizabeth Mencke
- Embalmers: Paula Harris-Holland and Randy Van Hove
- Certified crematory operators: Brannon Mencke and Hannah Potes
- Transfer team: Matthew Carollo, Sierra Lewis and Tom Liegl
This compassionate team aims to provide each family they serve with care, comfort and service during a difficult time. How do they do it? We’re glad you asked!
Continue reading to learn more about our care center staff through a Q&A, and better understand how their roles operate.
Q: What does your day-to-day look like as a care center staff member?
No matter if it’s a holiday or the weekend, this team of individuals is working to provide families the best possible service around the clock. As Paula Harrison-Holland sums it up,“We work diligently getting our guests embalmed, dressed, casketed, and sent to one of our seven locations for their services.”
The daily activities of the care center staff can vary from person to person. Some work directly within Busch’s on-site crematory, operating and managing the facility. Others assist in making transfers and caring for the deceased. Care center staff members describe their job as fast paced, schedule oriented and one that can change at the drop of a dime.
Q: What is your favorite part of being a part of Busch’s care center staff?
“Being involved in a team that touches each and every family we serve is one of my favorite parts of working as a part of the care center staff.” —Brannon Mencke
Others on the team agree. They describe the care center staff as a ‘close-knit group’—and a group that is dedicated to the mission of serving and guiding families toward healing. The care center staff understands they have a direct impact to people’s lives during one of the most difficult experiences.
Q: What’s something not many people know about your role at Busch?
The care center staff agreed that the general public is likely surprised by the logistics and organization required by their jobs. But as Hannah Potes comments “It’s an honor to do it.”
“I would expect not many people understand all the time and effort we place in making sure every detail is flawless. Families shouldn’t worry about logistics at any point from the time of the first call to the completion of services with Busch.” — Dana Ivins
Q: When do you feel most empowered at your job?
The most rewarding elements of the care center staff members comes after everything is planned, the service is complete and the family expresses their gratitude for the support the staff gave along the way.
Care center staff members feel a sense of empowerment when they know they were able to positively affect a family during such a hard time. So much so that they trust Busch enough to serve them again in the future.
“When I get feedback that the family thought their loved one that I had worked on looked like themselves or better than they had seen them recently. It’s nice to know that disease and trauma don’t necessarily need to have the final word when it comes time to say goodbye.” — Liz Mencke
Q: What sets the care center staff at Busch apart from other funeral homes in the area?
Busch is unlike any other funeral home in the area. The camaraderie and leadership we display makes our care center staff stand out from all other funeral homes and crematories.
Liz explains, “Because we don’t meet with families directly or field the phones, we are able to focus entirely on making sure everyone gets to where they need to be and looks their best.”
Each of the care center staff members are dedicated to what they do and being their greatest day in and day out.
Q: In your own words, what is the Busch difference?
The level of dedication and care from everyone involved is something our care center staff finds to be truly unrivaled. The Busch difference is that every single one of our team members puts his or her all into providing a truly meaningful service for every family.
Through unparalleled attention to every detail, the Busch care center staff strives to provide a celebration and honoring of the life lived—and offers endless options to do so.
“All I know is that I work with some amazing people that will bend over backwards to do whatever needs to be done in order to help serve our families.” — Kent Berkheimer
Your Personal Guide to Final Arrangements
Following the loss of a loved one, there are upwards of 125 decisions to be made—and our care center staff can help you fulfill a number of them. But first, download our funeral planning checklist to ensure you have all other service elements covered.
Jim Busch
Owner and president of our firm. Fourth generation funeral director and certified crematory operator, Jim is guided by his principles in faith, family and friends. He loves to hear feedback from our families. Proudly serving Busch families since 1986.
