“It’s been a good run.”  That’s what funeral director John Kaatz said according to this newspaper article announcing the sale of four funeral homes that he was associated with.

Kaatz, who succeeded his father in the operation of Kaatz Funeral Home and eventually owned facilities in four Michigan cities, reflected on his career in the article after ownership changes earlier in the month of May.  Kaatz also stated in the article, “We’ve been at it a long time.  It’s been in the family for 66 years. . . “

The aticle states that John Kaatz joined his father in the business in 1995.

In a somewhat unusual change of ownership, Kaatz sold his four funeral homes to two different parties.  According to the article, “Dan Jansen, a long-time associate in the funeral business, purchased Kaatz Funeral Home in Capac and Yale while two former Yale employees, Craig Baxter and Kyle Schieweck have bought Kaatz Funeral Home in Richmond and Mt. Clemens.”

In reflecting on his career in funeral service Kaatz made these comments, “I like to think we were always there for the people. To come alongside them in a difficult time. It’s really just how you treat people. We’re in a small town and by virtue of our business, we came to meet and know a lot of people. Dad and I and our family love Yale. We loved the small town atmosphere where everyone on Main Street knew everyone on Main Street. You just did.”

Related —  Website announcment of sales

Related — Website of Jansen Family Funeral Home  (one of the acquirers)

Related — Website of Grace Memorial Funeral Home (one of the acquirers)

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  I think that this is a great story for funeral service.  First of all, it is always great to see somebody retire after such a successful career  —  a career where they have “cared” for the people of their small town in difficult times.

And secondly, to have the satisfaction to find a way to propel the funeral home into the next chapter with the new owners being not only friends, but at least in one of the ownership changes, a former employee who started working at the funeral home at the age of 16.

Well done, Mr. Kaatz.

More news from the world of Death Care:

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• After life, return to earth.  Rotary International
• “Never got a return call”:  Problems persist at Louisville cemetery after owner promised operations would be up and running.  Video news story and print article.  WAVE TV – Louisville (KY)
• Are funeral pyres legal in Colorado?  Colorado Sun  (CO)

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