About SendOff

(He/Him)
FOUNDER

Kelly was born and raised in Forest Lake, Minnesota, where he and his family still live, work, and play. Kelly has more than 25 years of experience in retail and hospitality and leads Roberts Family Funeral Home, a family-owned business started in 2005. In addition to hockey, Kelly’s passionate about influencing the funeral industry and giving families new, unique, and inspiring ways to say farewell to a loved one.

SendOff Style: Kelly’s SendOff will be a snippet of tradition at his church followed up with a “beer league” hockey session at his favorite rink, with his casketed body at center ice for the opening face-off. Kelly’s SendOff will then commence at his preferred venue with great food, spirits, music, and Rocky Patel cigars.

(He/Him)
LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTOR

A lifelong resident of the Twin Cities, Colby grew up in Rosemount and now calls the Vadnais Heights home. He’s passionate about Golden Gopher Football and pretty much all other Minnesota sports. He and his wife Kelly love getting away to their cozy cabin in Breezy Point with their son, Murray, and their Black Lab mix, Archie.

Colby has been a practicing Minnesota licensed funeral director for 10 years. He’s fueled by the people he serves and strives to provide them with end-of-life services that are both honorable and memorable.

SendOff Style: Colby’s SendOff will be a tailgate party with a keg of cheap beer. All attendees will be asked to wear maroon and gold. At the cemetery a bagpiper will play “Amazing Grace” and when they lay Colby to rest the loudspeaker will blast “Spirit in the Sky” by Normal Greenbaum.

(She/Her)
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Megan lives in Minneapolis with her fiancé, Sam and dog, Shug. After experiencing significant loss in her younger years, she saw a need to change the way society embraces and responds to death. Megan is a certified death doula and is currently pursuing a degree in mortuary science to become a licensed funeral director. She’s passionate about enhancing and expanding end-of-life options and is an advocate for the legalization of Natural Organic Reduction (human composting) and Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) in Minnesota.

SendOff Style: A lakeside, Sauna-themed “Banya Bardo,” including a collection of my favorite mobile saunas and a cold plunge. Instead of a ceremony, there will be an Aufguss and whisking massage, and a sound bath meditation. Pastries, doughnuts, smoked meats, fermented veggies and sauces, and an abundance of sauerkraut will be served. I’d like a barista to run the espresso bar — life’s too short for bad coffee — and I’ll also have a mocktail bar. (If you feel the need for alcohol, I won’t judge from the other side!) Everyone will leave with a custom designed sauna hat.

(She/Her)
LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTOR

Coming from a small, southern Minnesota farm town, Michelle appreciates the charm of Excelsior, which she’s called home for over 20 years and where she raised her two sons. She enjoys boating on Lake Minnetonka, travel, pickleball and crafting tasty cocktails.

With more than 30 years of experience as a licensed funeral director, Michelle has guided and walked alongside countless families as they bid farewell to their loved ones. She wholeheartedly believes that offering more unique, personalized memorialization is a positive change that will bring solace to the bereaved and prompt wishful introspection among all of us considering our own mortality.

SendOff Style: Michelle’s ideal SendOff would be a musical at a local theatre with humor akin to the Church Basement Ladies theatrics. Big, showy, and fragrant flowers, a wine bar, signature cocktail, and classy hors d’oeuvres will welcome guests in the reception. Services will conclude with entombment at the beautiful Lakewood Cemetery.

(She/Her)
CELEBRANT

A nature lover at heart, Mary can be found hiking forest trails, boating on Lake of the Woods, and enjoying prairie fields and gardens. Mary and her family love to travel, admiring local architecture and signature monuments.

As a Life Tribute Professional for over 15 years, Mary is known for her personalized approach and care in working closely with families. She gets to know their loved one’s life story and identifies special ways to pay tribute to their unique life. Believing that celebrations of life are a gift we give one another in tribute to our loved one, the highest compliment she ever received was “This was one of the most beautiful and best Sendoffs I’ve ever attended!”

SendOff Style: Mary’s SendOff will be held on a lake shore or in a beautiful garden while friends share stories and hear new ones of great times, mishaps, and adventures together. A joyful mix of music, laughter, and song next to a bonfire is a must and before taking leave, Mary insists that all join in to sing “Happy Trails to You!”

(She/Her)
MA, LMFT

Brittany is a mental health therapist and founder of Best Self Therapy. Brittany’s mission through Best Self Therapy is to instill hope in grieving adults to change the way they view, talk about, and navigate grief. Through her specialty of grief and loss, Brittany guides clients in making meaning of their losses and redefining and maintaining their relationship(s) with the deceased. Brittany’s grief specialization also includes guiding clients in healing ambiguous/living losses (such as the losses experienced through divorce, loss of identity, grieving a loved one who is still physically present but emotionally/mentally absent, loss of job, etc.). Brittany values creating a safe and welcoming space, allowing clients to discover how to continue living as their best selves while remembering, honoring, and staying connected to those who have passed.

SendOff Style: Brittany's SendOff will be a dance party! In addition to a dance floor, music, lights, and good food, Brittany wants her attendees to wear a color that either reminded them of her or one that represents how they felt while spending time with Brittany.