Staff
Burns-Kish Funeral Home staff members are one of a kind. They are a unique group of kind, funny, caring people of all ages. Employee turnover is very rare at Burns Kish Funeral Home, with many of the employees serving over 10 and even 20 years. Details are important, service is emphasized, and most of all, relationships with each other and the community we serve are cherished. The staff is proud of the reputation and history of the Burns family in Northwest Indiana, and constantly strives to do their absolute best.
Brian Burns, Owner and Manager of Burns-Kish Funeral Homes in Munster and Hammond, Indiana, has been in the family business for over 30 years. He began working for his Dad, Thomas Burns, at age 13, washing cars and cleaning. Brian lives in Munster with his wife and three children. He’s an active member of St. Thomas More church, and took over Burns-Kish Funeral Home from his father officially in January, of 2017.
Tom Burns, Brian Burns’ father, is a third-generation funeral director and has been the business for many decades. Tom was born in Hammond, Indiana and has lived in the Region his entire life. He’s an active member of St. Thomas More church and raised five children with his beloved wife, Jean. Tom enjoys golfing and fine dining. His greatest joy is spending quality time with his family and grandchildren.
Apollo Moreno has been with Burns-Kish since 2008. Apollo lives in Highland, Indiana with his wife who is a public-school teacher. Apollo has two grown children and a new Grandson he’s thrilled about. Children are drawn to Apollo and he often finds himself entertaining them at wakes. Apollo loves to volunteer with the Tri-State Special Games each year.
Emily Hagen, a native of Hammond, Indiana, joined the Burns-Kish team in 2010. Emily’s calm caring personality means families call and ask for her assistance by name. She enjoys fishing and collecting vintage toys. Emily loves old movies, classic cars, and keeps her co-workers having fun.
A graduate from the Mortuary Science program at Ivy Tech, Lorraine joined the Burns-Kish team in 2017. Lorraine is from East Chicago, IN. A mother of two lovely daughters and a sassy Chihuahua terrier mix named Coco Chanel. When Lorraine is not at work she enjoys spending time with friends, seeking out new restaurants, and drinking good beer and spirits.
Ruth Litherland assists families with pre-planning their final arrangements, preferably well in advance of any sort of need. She strives to make this important process as easy and accessible as possible. Ruth is a native and lifelong-resident of the Region. She cherishes spending quality time with her family and close friends. She also enjoys long walks and curling up with a good book.