About Us

Kraig Pike knows the importance of being faithful in the little things. As a young man growing up in Howard City, Michigan, Kraig watched as his father, a Baptist minister, prepared for funeral and memorial services with a compassionate heart and attention to detail. A favorite memory, a strong shoulder to lean on, a kind word in a dark hour - to families
experiencing grief, these little things are often the big things. Kraig took these lessons to heart and desired to follow in his father’s footsteps as a faithful servant to those in need.

To pursue his dream of funeral directorship, Kraig attended Wayne State University, School of Mortuary Science, and graduated in 1987. He began his career at Systema Funeral Home in Muskegon, Michigan, and spent a decade serving the families of that community. During this same time, he started a family with his wife Rachel and welcomed a daughter and son - Nicole and Alex. In 1997, the family moved to Bridgman where Kraig assumed greater responsibilities as the director/manager/operator of Boyd Funeral Home. In 2001, Kraig purchased the Bridgman establishment and became owner and director of the community’s sole funeral home, renaming it Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, The Boyd Chapel.

Kraig views his role as a funeral director as a calling and feels it is a great privilege to help families during their darkest hours. While he can’t alleviate their grief, Kraig believes his job is to take care of the details and make the road smoother so families can focus on honoring their loved ones.

Kraig’s commitment to his community extends beyond the funeral home, as he is a regular face at Bridgman events and recently retired as a Reserve Deputy for the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department after 15 years of service. He can be found pulling a hay wagon with his 1951 John Deere in the local parade or spending time with his family. Realizing the precious gift of life and appreciating the blessings God provides has made Kraig an eternal optimist, saying, “Life’s a blast. Get out there and chase it.”

After 35 years as a funeral director, Kraig is honored to take care of the families of Bridgman, remarking, “We may own the funeral home, but it belongs to the community and it is our privilege to take care of it.” For Kraig, it all boils down to serving people and walking alongside them as a friend, sparing no details and creating a memory picture of their beloved that will last a lifetime.

For Rachel Pike, the Golden Rule is the guiding principle for all areas of her life. Growing up as the youngest of five children near Holland, Michigan, Rachel’s parents taught her the importance of treating others the way she’d like to be treated, and it’s a lesson she carries with her today. When helping families who are experiencing loss, Rachel says, “I try to put myself in their place and think about how I would want someone to care for my loved one in the same situation.”

Beginning at age three and continuing through High School, Rachel sang sweetly about God’s love as a member of the Children's Bible Hour. This Biblically-based music and story hour was broadcast weekly across the United States and Canada, and Rachel’s soprano voice was easily recognizable as a frequent soloist for the children’s choir on the show. After graduating from Hamilton High School, Rachel quickly landed a position with the Children’s Bible Hour (CBH) in Grand Rapids. It was at CBH where she met Kraig, a mailroom staff member working his way through college at Grand Rapids Baptist (now Cornerstone University). What began as a work friendship soon turned into a long-distance relationship, as Kraig transferred to Ferris State University. They continued to date, despite the miles between them, until Kraig finished mortuary school in the Detroit area.

In 1987, the couple married and started their journey together in Sterling Heights and later Muskegon. Rachel worked as a church secretary until their daughter Nicole was born, and their son Alex arrived two years later. Eventually, the family settled in Bridgman and built a life and a business dedicated to serving their community and the families that call it home.

As a dedicated employee of Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph, Rachel continues her care for those in need. Although no longer involved in the day-to-day operations of the family business, Rachel still serves an essential role by providing a support structure for her husband and filing in behind the scenes when needed. An active member of the community since 1997, Rachel believes it’s an honor to be entrusted to care for families she’s known for decades.

Strengthened by her faith, Rachel has deep gratitude for the simple blessings of everyday life. Her recent promotion to Grandma resulted in an even greater appreciation of the little things, and she enjoys watching Hazel Rose discover the world around her. By relying on the power of love as modeled by her own parents, Rachel hopes to provide comfort to those in need and serve families with compassion and care.