Michael F. Crahan has joined Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas as the archdiocesan ministry’s new director of sales and marketing. Mike and a team of community service counselors are working out of a new office location in Overland Park, Kan., to assist Catholics in Johnson and Wyandotte counties and the Topeka area with burial pre-arrangements.
Mike is returning to the Midwest after holding a similar position with the Diocese of Phoenix since 2005. That diocese was the third in the United States to build and operate its own mortuaries. As director of sales and marketing in Phoenix, Mike developed a comprehensive plan that helped Catholics understand options for cemeteries, funerals and cremation.
Robert W. Chenoweth, executive director of Catholic Cemeteries of Northeast Kansas, said, “Mike brings extensive experience and innovative ideas to his new role with our ministry. He will build upon the already strong relationships we have with parishes to enhance awareness of our Catholic cemeteries and services we provide.”
Originally from Iowa, Mike earned his business degree from the University of Iowa. He worked for Maytag for 12 years and entered the cemetery industry in 1989. His experience includes sales, sales management and operations management of both cemetery and funeral home facilities.
“Our community service counselors will be communicating why it is important as Catholics, as parents and as spouses to make pre-arrangements with Catholic cemeteries,” Mike said. “Our emphasis will be on continuity of services from birth through death as Catholics; distinctions of our cemeteries; options available to Catholics; and the peace of mind pre-arrangements offer families.”
For more information about Catholic Cemeteries, visit www.cathcemks.org; email [email protected]; or call 913-371-4040 or 785-272-0820.
– From Therese Horvat