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Daniel T. D'Alessandro, Owner, Supervisor, Funeral Director
Born and raised in Brookline, Daniel T. D’Alessandro has devoted his life to serving families with compassion, professionalism, and respect. His career in funeral service began at the age of 14 when he started working in a local Brookline funeral home, developing a lifelong commitment to helping families during their most difficult times.Daniel became a licensed funeral director in 1977 and has spent nearly 60 years guiding families through the funeral planning process with care and understanding. Throughout his distinguished career, he became the successor to the Anthony J. Sufak Funeral Home in 1980 and the Gilbert McInnes Jr. Funeral Home in 1983, continuing their traditions of service to the community.In 2007, Daniel joined the Smith family funeral home, carrying forward the values established by founders Thomas and Janet Smith while bringing his own experience, dedication, and commitment to personalized service. Today, he remains devoted to helping families honor their loved ones with dignity, respect, and compassion.
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Dustin A. D'Alessandro, Funeral Director
Dustin, a second-generation funeral director, began working with his father at a young age. From pulling weeds, cutting grass, and washing cars, he was often found at the funeral home doing whatever he could to help out. While a high-school student, Dustin was given the opportunity to go to the crash site of Flight 93 in Shanksville, PA, to help with the recovery efforts alongside his father, other funeral directors, coroners, medical examiners, police, and FBI. After graduating from Canevin Catholic High School in 2002, he was able to work full-time at the funeral home and began taking on new roles. While working full-time, he enrolled in the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science, where he earned his degree in Funeral Service. Dustin lives in the North Hills with his wife, Nicki, and their three boys: Domenic, Gianni and Luca. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and watching the kids play their sports.
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Jean M. D'Alessandro, Co-Owner, Vice President
Born and raised in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood, Jean M. D’Alessandro has spent her life dedicated to both her family and her community. Following a distinguished career of 35 years with the City of Pittsburgh, she retired as a Building Inspector, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge, professionalism, and commitment to public service.As Co-Owner and Vice President, Jean plays an important role in supporting the funeral home’s mission of providing compassionate care to families. Her strong values, attention to detail, and dedication to helping others continue to be an integral part of the funeral home’s success.Above all, Jean treasures her role as a mother and grandmother and brings that same sense of care, warmth, and family-centered compassion to the families served by the funeral home.
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Sarah C. Balistreri, Funeral Director, Embalmer
Sarah joined the funeral home staff in 2023. She earned her Associate degree in Funeral Service from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and her Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science from Gannon University, passing both her national and Pennsylvania board examinations on her first attempt.From a young age, Sarah felt a calling to help others, which naturally led her to a career in funeral service. She began her work with a strong focus on embalming and restorative art, where her attention to detail and gentle approach help provide families with comfort and peace during difficult times. Over the years, she has expanded her role to guide families through every step of the funeral process, creating meaningful and personalized services that truly honor each life.Sarah believes that every family deserves compassion, patience, and understanding, and she takes great care in building genuine connections with those she serves.Originally from Buffalo, New York, Sarah now lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with her husband, their two cats, and their Jack Russell, Hope. In her free time, she enjoys attending live music events, traveling on cruises, and spending time camping.
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Lathon Kenyon, Funeral Director
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Morgan Applegate, Funeral Director, Certified Celebrant
Morgan joined the funeral home staff in 2024. She lives in the Brentwood neighborhood of Pittsburgh with her fiancé and their two cats, Rex and Obi. Morgan received her Bachelor of Science in Mortuary Science and a Minor in Theology from Gannon University in Erie, PA where she received the Academic Award of Excellence in Mortuary Science. She is a 2024 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS). In her free time, you can find her with her nose stuck in a book or working on one of her many crafts.
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Edward Eckenrode, Funeral Director, Embalmer
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Jaylene Beatty, Office Manager
Jaylene joined the funeral home staff in 2024, bringing with her many years of experience in the healthcare field. She has a true gift for compassion and takes pride in caring for and supporting families during times of loss.Jaylene has a deep love for her family and her cat, Miss Tawney. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music, and staying busy around Pittsburgh. She loves her job and looks forward to coming to work each day.
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Robert Straus, Funeral Assistant
Bob joined the funeral home staff in 2024 following his retirement from the Allegheny County Government after 42 years of public service. Throughout his career, he built a reputation for professionalism, dependability, and strong commitment to serving others. Wanting to remain active in the community, Bob has brought his experience and caring nature to funeral service. As a funeral assistant, he takes pride in helping families and supporting the funeral home's mission of providing compassionate and respectful care during life's most difficult moments.
