Owners: Lucas Martin, Craig Baker, Kevin Reid, Christine Reid
I’m a Licensed Funeral Director with over 13 years of experience supporting families during some of their most difficult times. I’ve proudly called Essex County home my entire life. Today, I’m honoured to lead Cremation First—a locally owned and operated cremation company in the Windsor-Essex region.
This business is more than a profession for me—it’s a calling. I’ve built Cremation First on a foundation of compassion, integrity, and community care. After years of managing a cremation company under a larger umbrella, I knew it was time to create something different and strip it back to simply being here for the people. Something local, personal, and deeply rooted in servicing our neighbours.
Together with my wife Melissa, who is also a funeral director with the Reid Funeral Home in Leamington and Essex, we are proud to be raising our two wonderful boys in the quaint community of Essex. Our families have strong ties throughout Windsor-Essex County and we’re proud to live, work, and give back in the same communities that shaped us. As a father and husband, I understand the importance of dignity, trust, and affordability when families need it most.
Cremation First has grown from the ground up, and I’m proud of what we’re building. With four conveniently placed locations across the region, my goal is to ensure families can be taken care of wherever they are with the same warmth and professionalism. While Cremation First has grown quickly, my mission remains simple: to provide exceptional care at an affordable cost—with no pressure, no sales tactics, and no corporate umbrella.
Whether you’re planning ahead or navigating a recent loss, Cremation First is here to make a difficult time just a little easier, with people who truly care.
From my family to yours—thank you for considering Cremation First.
I am Natalie McKeen (formerly Natalie Pomerleau-Perron) a Licensed Funeral Director with over 12 years of education and experience in funeral service. Born and raised in St. Clair Beach, I have a deep appreciation for Essex County and the region I proudly call home. As a French Canadian, I am strongly connected to my community through Exchange Church and am honoured to serve local families with kindness, respect and understanding.
I attended local French elementary and secondary schools before pursuing my passion for art at university. While my creative studies shaped how I see the world, it was returning home that revealed my true calling in funeral service — work rooted in compassion, presence, and honoring life stories.
Along the way, I met the love of my life Joshua, and together we are building a home centered on loyalty, family, and wholesomeness, shared with our spirited son — Maximus and our beloved dog — Mason.
As a mother and a wife, I have a deep understanding of both the emotional and financial considerations, ensuring dignity is never compromised when it matters most.
I am proud to be part of Cremation First, honest, transparent and conveniently located in the region. Their mission rings true with my core values: to provide exceptional care at an affordable cost — with no pressure, no sales tactics, and no corporate umbrella. A feather is a beautiful symbol of gentle presence, remembrance, guidance and peace.
Whether you’re planning ahead or navigating a recent loss, Cremation First is here to make a difficult time just a little easier, with people who truly care.
From my famille to yours — thank you for considering Cremation First.