MUEHLEBACH FUNERAL CARE celebrates 65 years of serving local Kansas City families
With 65 years in business, Muehlebach Funeral Care is clearly doing something right! The legacy began in 1954 and continues today. When James “Bud” Harrington opened the doors at 6800 Troost Avenue in 1965, Muehlebach was one of very few businesses in the Southtown area. Over 65 years the area has grown, declined and grown again – and the doors of Muehlebach Funeral Home are still open to serve Kansas City.
The family-owned business quickly became recognized as a first choice for Kansas City area families. Under the leadership of Bud, later Jim Harrington and today Steve and Nicole Pierce (pictured right), Muehlebach became known for outstanding customer service, true compassion and caring, and as genuine caregivers for families going through difficult times.
Today, Muehlebach remains one of the few family-owned and operated funeral homes in Kansas City, and the full-service funeral home is committed to helping every family and individual. “Maintaining a tradition of quality service is our top priority,” says Steve Pierce. “It is a privilege to uphold that tradition while helping those in their time of need.”
Muehlebach Values Community Service
From the beginning Muehlebach Funeral Care and the employees have valued being accessible and giving back to the community. Did you know that Muehlebach was a founding member of the Southtown Council over 35 years ago? They and a handful of other area leaders formed the Southtown Council to give the area a stronger voice, advocate for improvements and help lift up area businesses.
They also offer free flag retirement ceremonies, 9/11 remembrances, and Talk of a Lifetime programs which encourage the community to connect on a deeper level with our elderly loved ones. Steve Pierce described community service as a fun way to give back. “It feels good to see people smile.”
The Muehlebach employees are also very active in the community, volunteering their time, talents and monies. You’ll find little league coaches, girl scout leaders, service on fundraising boards, past and present Southtown Council and Troost Avenue CID board members, church volunteers, neighborhood and condo association board members, service on the Kansas City Hospice Board, the Serra Club, Rotary Club, and so much more.
Beyond their compassion and love for community the Muehlebach team also likes to have fun. Just one example is their BBQ team which competes in select local competitions. The Muehlebach Funeral Care team, including drivers and employees of the Skradski Funeral Home (also owned by Steve and Nicole Pierce). Pictured back row left to right: Steve Pierce, Brandon Schlitzer, Jim Larson, Joe Smith, Tom Reagan, Jeff Hunzinger (former employee), Jim Dalton, Terry Mendenhall, Doug Price, Walter Carpio. Pictured front row left to right: Carrie Lally, Jenny Mertes, Makayla Ridley, Helen Skradski, Tana.
Helping Us Plan Ahead and In the Most Difficult Times
Admittedly, whether expected or un-expected funeral services aren’t fun to think about. Muehlebach Funeral Care understands that and offers a number of services to help minimize the stress. Did you know you don’t even have to come to the funeral home? They’ll come to your home to make your arrangements. How about that they accept funeral plans that were purchased from a different funeral home? They’ll also help you plan ahead, focusing on key decisions: what type of service you would want to have; whether you want to be cremated or buried; do you want a church service, service at Muehlebach, or a service at a non-traditional location. Even more, they’ll help you document your wishes and will keep them on file, making it easier to communicate with family and friends now and in the future.
Even beyond funeral planning, they will help you connect with loved ones on a deeper level through programs like Talk of a Lifetime. The program can help reacquaint us with our loved ones and get to know them in a new and different way. Learning about memorable events and people, proudest achievements, places and favorite activities, inspirations, values and lessons they have learned can help bring us closer to those we care about most. The information can later help tell the person’s life story and guide memorialization.
Whatever your need, Muehlebach truly offers personalized services.
More Than Just Funeral Care
Did you know Muehlebach’s reception and meeting rooms can be used outside of funerals? Their well-furnished rooms make a great place to host luncheons, receptions and other meetings. Whether you need a space short term (we used space for committee meetings when our AC went out), or something longer-term, they can help. One organization even holds their regular meetings.
What about gifts? Muehlebach offers gifts to memorialize special events like weddings, births, anniversaries, first communions, Mother’s Day, and more. From jewelry made from a thumbprint to rosaries made from flower petals to 3-D crystal photos, they offer lasting treasures for so many occasions.
Innovation and Award-Winning Services
Over the years, Muehlebach has found was to meet more than just basic funeral care needs. Did you know Muehlebach was one of the first funeral homes in the Country to offer prearranged funeral plans, offering convenience and peace of mind for families at a discounted rate? The idea was so popular it caught on throughout Kansas City and across the United States.
They’ve also been recognized for their outstanding services. In 2016, Steve Pierce was selected as Funeral Director of the Year Runner-Up by American Funeral Director magazine, which selects the top funeral directors in the country. Muehlebach was also selected by an independent panel of area business leaders from nearly 1,500 nominees as one of the 2016 winners of Think Biggers’ 25 Under 25 Award.
In 2017, Muehlebach was awarded Southtown’s Community Anchor Award recognizing their long-term investment, bringing stability to the area, and dedicating decades to making our community great. Pictured are former owner Jim Harrington, and Jenny Mertes and Brandon Schlitzer displaying their Southtown Award.
Most recently, Muehlebach Funeral Care was presented with the 2018 Excellence in Customer Service Award by the Johnson Consulting Group of Scottsdale, Arizona. The award honors Muehlebach for receiving the highest levels of families’ satisfaction.
More About Muehlebach’s History
It all started in 1954 when James “Bud” Harrington, broke ground for Muehlebach Funeral Care. After opening, Bud helped the firm become one of the first funeral homes to offer prearranged funeral plans and quickly developed a reputation for high-quality services and personal care.
Following in his father’s footsteps, James S. “Jim” Harrington joined the business in 1963 and took over the funeral home in 1995. Jim continued his father’s legacy of providing professional and customized service to local families.
After four decades in the business, Jim retired and in July of 2003, Steve and Nicole Pierce took over ownership of Muehlebach Funeral Care. Since then they have helped the firm remain a first choice for families. With Steve and Nicole’s leadership, Muehlebach has remained one of the few family-owned and operated funeral homes in Kansas City.
Today, Muehlebach is a full-service funeral home, and is committed to serving your family in the years to come.
For Further Information, contact:
Jenny Mertes
Muehlebach Funeral Care
6800 Troost Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64131
Telephone: 816-444-2060
Fax: 816-444-4042
Email: Jenny@MuehlebachChapel.com