Staff

Our dedicated staff members are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.

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George Rafaidus, CFSP Licensed Funeral Director/Owner George@TheFordFuneralHome.com

George Rafaidus, CFSP, is President and owner of Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Services, of Center Line, Michigan and has been in Funeral Service since 1974. He was recognized for his 40 years as a Licensed Funeral Director at the 1980 Michigan Funeral Directors Association Annual Convention. George graduated from Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science in 1977 and received his Michigan funeral director’s license in 1980. As part of his ongoing education, he has completed all the requirements to be recognized as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice’s Board of Trustees. George is a member of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association (MFDA) and the National Funeral Directors Association. He is the past President of MFDA District Six and is active with various civic and fraternal organizations within the city of Center Line and Macomb County, including as the Center Line Lions Club as Chaplain, former Supervisory Board Member of Eastside Family Credit Union, a Knights of Columbus member, a member and Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Families Catholic Church and a member of the Center Line High School Academies Advisory Board. You can also find him guest lecturing at his alma mater, participating as a career day speaker at local schools, and he has spoken at the Florida Mystery Writers Conference. George and his family are lifelong Macomb County residents.

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Charlene Rafaidus COO Charlene@TheFordFuneralHome.com

Charlene has served Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Services since 2012, as Chief Operating Officier. She is a life long Macomb County resident and a retired teacher from the Detroit Public School System. Charlene received both her Bachelor of Science and Masters in Education Degrees from Wayne State University. She is a member of the Center Line High School Academies Advisory Board, Center Line Lions Club and attends St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Families Catholic Church. At Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Services, she is responsible for completing and coordinating the filing of forms and documents for our families, scheduling staff, necessary bookkeeping, and assisting with funeral services. When she’s not at the funeral home, she enjoys cooking, reading, and being with her family.

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Elyse Erickson, CCSP Licensed Funeral Director Elyse@TheFordFuneralHome.com

Elyse has been a member of the staff for Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Services since 2017. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Genetics from Michigan State University in 2009 and her Master's in Business Administration Degree from Wayne State University in 2013. Elyse is a 2023 graduate of Wayne State University, School of Mortuary Science. On June 16, 2023 Elyse achieved the National Funeral Directors Association designation of Certified Cremation Service Provider (CCSP).  She is a member of St. Anne Catholic Church, Warren, Michigan. When time permits she enjoys to spend time with her children and husband. read, cook and work in her garden.

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David Erickson Funeral Assistant info@thefordfuneralhome.com

David serves the Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Services as a Funeral Assistant. He comes with a backgound in nursing and a Bachelors Degree in Broadcasting Communications from Central Michigan University. When time permits he enjoys all sports especially golf and soccer.

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Barb Greeter

Barb serves Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Services as a Greeter. She comes from an office related background and is an active member of St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Families Catholic Church.

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Judy Greeter

Judy has served Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Services as a Greeter since 2017. When possible, she enjoys to read and cheer on her Detroit Tigers.

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Teresa Greeter

Teresa has been with the Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Service as a greeter since 2021. She comes with a background in public service. When time permits she enjoys family time and camping.

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Parker Rafaidus Greeter

Parker is our,16 year old, rescue dog that will greet you when you visit the funeral home. He was abandond by his previous owner and resucued by Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption, in November, 2021. Since December, 2021, he has been part of our family and when away from the funeral home, Parker enjoyes walking, ride in the car and taking naps.


George Rafaidus, CFSP

Licensed Funeral Director/Owner
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George Rafaidus, CFSP, is President and owner of Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Services, of Center Line, Michigan and has been in Funeral Service since 1974. He was recognized for his 40 years as a Licensed Funeral Director at the 1980 Michigan Funeral Directors Association Annual Convention. George graduated from Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science in 1977 and received his Michigan funeral director’s license in 1980. As part of his ongoing education, he has completed all the requirements to be recognized as a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) by the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice’s Board of Trustees. George is a member of the Michigan Funeral Directors Association (MFDA) and the National Funeral Directors Association. He is the past President of MFDA District Six and is active with various civic and fraternal organizations within the city of Center Line and Macomb County, including as the Center Line Lions Club as Chaplain, former Supervisory Board Member of Eastside Family Credit Union, a Knights of Columbus member, a member and Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Families Catholic Church and a member of the Center Line High School Academies Advisory Board. You can also find him guest lecturing at his alma mater, participating as a career day speaker at local schools, and he has spoken at the Florida Mystery Writers Conference. George and his family are lifelong Macomb County residents.

Charlene Rafaidus

COO
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Charlene has served Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Services since 2012, as Chief Operating Officier. She is a life long Macomb County resident and a retired teacher from the Detroit Public School System. Charlene received both her Bachelor of Science and Masters in Education Degrees from Wayne State University. She is a member of the Center Line High School Academies Advisory Board, Center Line Lions Club and attends St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Families Catholic Church. At Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Services, she is responsible for completing and coordinating the filing of forms and documents for our families, scheduling staff, necessary bookkeeping, and assisting with funeral services. When she’s not at the funeral home, she enjoys cooking, reading, and being with her family.

Elyse Erickson, CCSP

Licensed Funeral Director
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Elyse has been a member of the staff for Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Services since 2017. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Genetics from Michigan State University in 2009 and her Master's in Business Administration Degree from Wayne State University in 2013. Elyse is a 2023 graduate of Wayne State University, School of Mortuary Science. On June 16, 2023 Elyse achieved the National Funeral Directors Association designation of Certified Cremation Service Provider (CCSP).  She is a member of St. Anne Catholic Church, Warren, Michigan. When time permits she enjoys to spend time with her children and husband. read, cook and work in her garden.

David Erickson

Funeral Assistant
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David serves the Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Services as a Funeral Assistant. He comes with a backgound in nursing and a Bachelors Degree in Broadcasting Communications from Central Michigan University. When time permits he enjoys all sports especially golf and soccer.

Barb

Greeter
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Barb serves Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Services as a Greeter. She comes from an office related background and is an active member of St. Mary, Our Lady Queen of Families Catholic Church.

Judy

Greeter
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Judy has served Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Services as a Greeter since 2017. When possible, she enjoys to read and cheer on her Detroit Tigers.

Teresa

Greeter
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Teresa has been with the Ford Funeral Home and Cremation Service as a greeter since 2021. She comes with a background in public service. When time permits she enjoys family time and camping.

Parker Rafaidus

Greeter
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Parker is our,16 year old, rescue dog that will greet you when you visit the funeral home. He was abandond by his previous owner and resucued by Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption, in November, 2021. Since December, 2021, he has been part of our family and when away from the funeral home, Parker enjoyes walking, ride in the car and taking naps.