Who We Are
We are a small, caring company, family owned and operated since 1997. Since burial at sea is our specialized service, we pride ourselves on the attention to detail given to our families, focusing on the issues affecting YOU during your difficult time.
Many people do not realize that we are regulated and inspected the same as a funeral home. This is for your protection and peace of mind, knowing that everything is done legally and according to your wishes.
To legally advertise and scatter ashes in the ocean in California, you must be licensed through the California Department of Consumer Affairs. It is called a Cremated Remains Disposer license or CRD. This is in addition to any licenses issued by the Coast Guard. Our license number is CRD 399.Learn more.
Ken & Anya Shortridge, owners
We're a husband and wife team who really love people. Many have asked us over the years us if being in this business is difficult, too much to bear. Yes, it is true that our customers have all suffered great loss. The truth is, while some situations have certainly been more difficult than others, we have found that being able to assist others in their time of need has actually helped US to become better people. Our day to day focus in life is less on the material, and more on the greater things in life. We, too, have faced death in our family. We know how difficult it is. We know how to help.
Our company is still a small, intimate one and we're dedicated to giving you the personal attention you need at this sensitive time in your life. Please feel free to call us any time.
Our History
On April 21, 1997, Ken's father died. His wish was to be cremated and his ashes spread upon the sea that he loved.
Ken relates, “The experience was so unlike a land burial, unlike any funeral I had ever experienced. There was no feeling of gloom. The ocean air and atmosphere gave the occasion an almost pleasant quality. I determined then to share this experience with others.”
This was my compelling reason for forming Wakeman Funeral Home, Inc., a small, caring company to help in your time of need; a company dedicated to excellence in service and with the highest integrity; a company that is truly interested in you!
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More About Us...
Brian D. Wakeman, Owner / Manager / President / Funeral Director
Educational / Professional Credentials
* Licensed Funeral Director in the State of Michigan.
* 1981 Graduate of Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science, Detroit, Michigan and served as class Vice President.
* Certified Eye Enucleator from Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.
* Holds Limited Life Insurance License from the Basic Life and Health Insurance Institute, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
* Certified Funeral Service Practitioner from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, Westerville, Ohio.
* National Certified Bereavement Facilitator from the American Academy of Bereavement, Buffalo, New York.
* Past President of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association District 7.
* Served on Public Relations Committee for the Michigan Funeral Directors Association.
Community Activities / Recognitions
* Member and Former Elder at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Saginaw, Michigan.
* Past President of Holy Cross Lutheran School PTO.
* Member of the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
* 20- and 30-year basketball official Honoree from the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
* Member of the Saginaw Athletic Officials Association #27.
* Former Basketball Officials Trainer for the Saginaw Athletic Officials Association #27.
* Life Member of the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame.
Rodney C. Wakeman, Owner / Vice President / Funeral Director
Educational / Professional Credentials
* Licensed Funeral Director in the State of Michigan.
* 1988 Graduate of Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science, Detroit, Michigan.
* Board Certified from the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, Huntsville, Arkansas.
* Holds Limited Life Insurance License from the Basic Life and Health Insurance Institute, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
* Certified Funeral Service Practitioner from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice, Westerville, Ohio.
* National Certified Bereavement Facilitator from the American Academy of Bereavement, Buffalo, New York.
* District Director and Board Member of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association.
* Past President of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association District 7.
* Past Member of the Public Relations Committee of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association.
* Past Member of the Disaster Committee of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association.
* Past Member of the Legislative Committee of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association.
Community Activities / Recognitions
* Member and Elder at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Saginaw, Michigan.
* President of the Valley Lutheran High School Foundation.
* Former Chairman of the Valley Lutheran High School Alumni Association Scholarship Committee.
* 12-year volunteer Honoree as Sports Public Address Announcer for Valley Lutheran High School, Saginaw, Michigan.
* Member and Past President of the Saginaw Downtown Lions Club.
* First Recipient of the Lorenz A. Loos Lion of the Year Memorial Award from the Saginaw Downtown Lions Club.
* Contributing Photographer for the Township Times community newspaper, Saginaw.
* Life Member of the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame.
Harold C. Wakeman
In Loving Memory
December 25, 1933
March 17, 2008
Educational / Professional Credentials
* Licensed Funeral Director in the State of Michigan from 1955-2008.
* 1955 Graduate of the Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
* Board Certified from the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, Huntsville, Arkansas.
* Originally employed by Richard F. Gugel, Sr. at the Gugel Funeral Home from 1957-1965.
* Purchased the Gugel Funeral Home in 1965, renaming the business Gugel-Wakeman Funeral Home.
* Member of first group of non-medical students certified as Eye Enucleator through the Michigan Eye Bank.
* Certified Eye Enucleator from Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.
* Past President of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association District 12.
* 40- and 50-year Honoree as Funeral Service Licensee in the State of Michigan awarded by the Michigan Funeral Directors Association.
* Owner of the Corporation from 1965-1998.
Community Activities / Recognitions
* Named Scholarship through the Valley Lutheran High School Foundation -- The Harold C. Wakeman Memorial Scholarship Fund.
* Past member of several boards at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Saginaw.
* United States Army Veteran, served as Sergeant, 1955-1961.
* Saginaw County Coroner from 1969-1973.
* Proclamation recipient from the Michigan State Legislature for service as Saginaw County Coroner.
* Recipient of the distinguished Who's Who of Michigan award.
* Founding member of the original Saginaw County Drug Board.
* Past Instructor for Saginaw County’s original Hospice group.
* Past President of the former Saginaw West Side Lions Club.
* Past President of the Valley Lutheran High School Booster Club.
* Member of Arthur Hill Letterwinner's Association.
* Life Member of the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame.
