Meet Our Staff: How Funeral Preplanning Is Different with Busch

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 preplan their final wishes before a loss occurs. And we wouldn’t be able to do it without our expertly trained preplanning advisors, Kathleen Bloesinger and Julie Graf Skinner.

These compassionate women aim 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 preplanning duo through a Q&A, and how they can help provide peace of mind for you and your family.

Q: What was your career path leading up to becoming a preplanning advisor?

Kathleen:
I started out working as a funeral director for at-need families during the first part of my career. Since 2002, I have been honorably serving families at Busch as a funeral director who assists families with preplanning services.

Julie:
I started working at a funeral home as a teenager. This was an interest after taking an aptitude test that led me in this direction. I went on to Mortuary College and have worked in funeral service my entire career. I am a licensed funeral director and embalmer, but most of my time has been helping families preplan.

Q: What does your day-to-day look like as a preplanning advisor?

Kathleen:
Each day, I meet with families either in the comfort of their own home or at one of our funeral home locations to discuss future final arrangements. All other hours of my days are spent following up with the families we serve through phone and email contact. Additionally, I spend time doing community education events on the benefits of funeral preplanning.

Julie:
Much of my days are spent across the table from families helping them prepare for the day when their loved ones will be sitting across from one of our directors. I also spend time making phone calls, providing community education programs and participating in several networking organizations.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a preplanning advisor?

Kathleen:
My favorite part of this role are the stories that I have the opportunity to listen to. I enjoy learning about the life and history of those I am so privileged to serve.

Julie:
Meeting new people and learning their stories is one of my favorite parts of this role. I enjoy getting to help them create a tribute that honors their life and eases the burden on their loved ones.

Q: What's a common misconception you hear about preplanning?

Kathleen:
Many families I meet with are under the assumption that the funds they put down for a preplanned service aren't transferable. Under Ohio law, all prearranged plans are 100% transferrable at any time. Whatever cost you agreed to during your initial prearrangement agreement is final.

Julie:
Many people believe that preplanning their funeral will hasten their death—this is simply not true. Preplanning your funeral will only help provide peace of mind to your loved ones and allow you to live the rest of your life worry-free because you know your final arrangements are already taken care of.

Q: When do you feel most empowered at your job?

Kathleen:
I feel most empowered when I can put someone's mind at ease—this is one of the main purposes of preplanning final arrangements.

Julie:
It’s empowering when I can watch a family move from anxious to calm as we move through the preplanning process.

Q: What sets preplanning with Busch apart from other funeral homes in the area?

Kathleen:
I feel our entire caring Busch staff is more responsive, informed and available to our families.

Julie:
At Busch, we are a team of specialists that are focused on helping families. We are focused on the family we are meeting and not trying to juggle their meeting with those of new deaths and funerals.

Q: In your own words, what is the Busch difference?

Kathleen:
We have the best staff—the best in the business. We have beautiful facilities and our own crematory. You won't find a group of people that care more than we do at Busch.

Julie:
The Busch difference is the intentional and ongoing effort we put in to improve our family and staff experience.

Preplan Your Funeral with Busch

Our preplanning advisors at Busch want to support you in finding peace of mind when it comes to your final arrangements. Learn more and preplan your funeral with one of our caring advisors below.