From the Summer 2024 issue of The Independent magazine. 

OGR recently caught up with Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes & Crematory in Naperville, Illinois. John L. Kunsch and Joe O. Kunsch are fifth generation, twin brothers and have been OGR members since 2002. 

Tell us a bit about how your funeral home was founded and how it operated today. 

The funeral home was founded in 1861 by Frederick Long, a local cabinetmaker. His nephew, O.J. Beidelman, took it over and then passed it on to his son, Dutch. In 1968, our father, John W. Kunsch, joined the staff and later purchased the funeral home that now bears our name. 

It is unusual to have twin brothers running a funeral home. Tell us more about this arrangement. 

We are very honored to be the fifth generation running the funeral home. We both knew we wanted to follow in our father's footsteps, and we are so glad that we did. We strive to maintain the historic family values of service that have been passed down from each preceding generation. 

You lost your dad, John, in January. In what ways do you honor his legacy and recognize his lasting impact on the funeral home? 

Our father was a Vietnam Army veteran who was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor in Vietnam. His military service was very important to him. He always felt close with families he worked with that had a military connection. He was very proud to help them honor their loved one with military honors. John has been a member of the American Legion Riders Post 43 as a way to honor our father. We help to raise money for veterans and volunteer for many veteran organizations. 

Why do you believe funeral service is important? 

Every family grieves the loss of a loved one at some point in their lives and we are honored to be able to guide families at some of the most vulnerable times in their life. We have the opportunity to give them direction and help them make decisions and choices that will have a lasting and meaningful memory. 

What is the most rewarding part of working in the funeral service profession? 

We appreciate the opportunity to acknowledge the significance of the life that was lived and help families find meaning and purpose in their own lives, even in the face of a loss. We pride ourselves on being comforting and treating each family as if they were our own. It is important to us to establish a relationship to ensure our families feel comfortable. We are handling something that is very important and close to their hearts, and we do not take that lightly. It is our job to help families be able to express emotions and feelings about the life and death of their loved ones and friends. 

To read more about Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes & Crematory, check out the Summer 2024 issue of The Independent magazine.