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Cole West and John Baker launched their SF Cambridge Memorial Group in August 2025 with a clear thesis: acquire and build a network of community-based funeral homes in the Midwest that honors owners’ legacies while creating a stronger, more sustainable platform to serve families. Building on this long-term vision, Cole’s grandfather founded a funeral home 70 years ago that his family still operates today, giving him deep industry roots alongside experience in operations and growth strategy.
They have now completed their first acquisition with the purchase of Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes and Life Story Network in Michigan. Their vision is to build a funeral home company with deep expertise in celebrations of life, an increasingly important part of how families honor and remember their loved ones.
The acquisition was completed as an all-equity transaction. The round was led by TBD Investors, Pacific Lake, and Shore Capital, with a total of 14 investors participating, including Cerralvo Capital, WSC & Company, and The Nashton Company, among others. Cameron Perkins and Dmitri Ivanov will join the board to support the company’s next phase of growth.
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes and Life Story Network are dedicated to preserving and celebrating personal and family legacies through meaningful storytelling. By combining creativity, empathy, and professionalism, the companies transform memories, experiences, and milestones into beautifully crafted life stories that can be shared across generations. Through a personalized approach and strong attention to detail, they help individuals and families capture their unique journeys in an authentic and timeless way.
