For over 80 years, Krause Funeral Homes & Cremation Service has been a part of the community here in Milwaukee, Brookfield, and New Berlin. My family has always made civic involvement a priority, and we encourage that idea amongst our staff as well. I love being out and about amongst my neighbors, so I am always excited when I get invited to speak to a local group.
I’ve spoken to groups throughout the Milwaukee area – and around the world – on a variety of topics. One of them is the importance of preplanning your own funeral. Some people don’t realize how much time, energy, and money preplanning saves; others don’t even know preplanning is an option! Since I am in the position to observe families on a daily basis struggle with guessing what their loved ones would have wanted – and all while dealing with their own grief – I am passionate about educating others about the value of preplanning. And one of my favorite parts of speaking out in the community is when people come up to me after a presentation and tell me their stories of how preplanning benefited their families. They often mention the incredible peace of mind that comes with such a simple process.
Another topic of value I often speak about to the community is veteran benefits. Krause Funeral Homes has a long history of serving veterans. Our dedication to those who serve our country traces back to the second generation of Krause funeral directors, who were all in the military. Making sure veterans and their families receive the benefits and honors for which they qualify is very satisfying, as they deserve every ounce of respect they are given.
In addition to sharing knowledge about the funeral industry, I also enjoy talking to groups about historical events. Since I was a young boy growing up in Milwaukee, I enjoyed learning about history. I remember the feelings of anticipation and excitement when I would open a book about a certain time or event that happened in our country or world. This passion influenced my college career, as I earned bachelor degrees in both political science and history at UW-Milwaukee. Years later, as the president of Krause Funeral Homes and a fourth-generation funeral director, one of the ways I continue to invest in my interests in history and funeral planning is by giving presentations related to both.
My most recent presentation is a fascinating look at the assassination and funeral of President Abraham Lincoln. Most of us are fairly familiar with the events of April 14, 1865 that occurred at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., but there’s so much more to the story; details that were pivotal moments in our country’s history! For example, did you know after Lincoln’s first funeral held in the East Room of the White House, he had a total of 13 funerals over a 20-day period before he was entombed in Springfield, IL?
Here’s another remarkable fact: There were many photographs taken of Lincoln in his casket, but Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton ordered them all destroyed. Only one photo survived, and it was uncovered in 1951 when a high school student in Springfield, IL found it among some lost papers. Can you imagine being that young man making that incredible, historically significant discovery?
If you’re interested in hosting a presentation at your local church, assisted living facility, or civic group, reach out to me anytime. If you’re anxious to learn more about the benefits of preplanning our online planning form makes it easy, or you can connect with a member of our knowledgeable team. Don’t hesitate to pick up the phone or stop by in person at our locations in Milwaukee, Brookfield, and New Berlin.