Our Staff

President

Roland J. Criswell is the President of Cage Memorial Chapel, Inc. In that role, he serves as the managing Funeral Director. He is a licensed Funeral Director.

Mr. Criswell is a third generation funeral director. He is the grandson of Samuel and Wanda Coston, founders of Coston Funeral Homes, Inc, established in 1963 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Roland and his staff ensures that Cage Memorial Chapel, Inc. provides personalized premier family care through service to the community with integrity, respect, tenderness and unbiased attention to all.

Serving the community has always been a core value for Roland. He has served as President and member of many boards, ranging from the NAACP to his alma mater, Shady Side Academy. He is a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Roland is a graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science where he is a guest lecturer on professional development, business strategy and customized creative services. He is also a graduate of Geneva College with a Bachelors of Science Degree. He is married to Bethany Criswell and the proud father of Roland A. And Brandon I. Criswell

Vice President

Bethany is CFO of Coston-Criswell Enterprise. In that role, she serves as Managing Partner of Kimbo Realty, LLC, Managing Partner of Trinitee, LP and Vice President of both Cage Memorial and Coston Funeral Homes, Inc.

Bethany has an extensive background in Journalism, Marketing and Public Relations. Prior to joining the firm, Bethany worked in University Advancement at Carnegie Mellon University and served as the Director of Communications at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church. She and her husband, Roland Criswell, became the owners of Coston Funeral Homes in 2005 and acquired Cage Memorial Chapel in 2019. Bethany focuses on structuring the firm for efficiency in the financial aspect of the business.

Serving the needs of the community is also a primary focus for Bethany. She is a member of various organizations including The Chicago Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, The Windy City Chapter of The Links, Inc. and the Chicago Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Bethany earned a B.A. in Journalism from Hampton University in 1998 and a M.Ed. in Sports Administration from Temple University in 2000. She received a Diploma from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 2016 and acquired her insurance license in 2017.

Bethany and her husband Roland reside in Chicago with their two children Roland Andrew and Brandon Isaiah.