Our Valued Staff

Our Valued Staff

We are nothing without our dedicated staff. If you take a few minutes to get to know us online, when you walk through our doors and see familiar faces, it will make your experience with us that much better.
Roland J. Coston-Criswell, President/Supervisor
Email: rcriswell@costonfuneralhome.com

Roland J. Coston-Criswell is the President of Coston-Criswell Enterprise. In that role, he serves as Managing Partner of Kimbo Realty, LLC, Co-Host of “The Coston Show” and President of Coston Funeral Homes, Inc. He is a licensed Funeral Director and manages all day-to-day operations along with directing funerals and handling at-need arrangements.

Mr. Criswell is the grandson of Samuel and Wanda Coston, the original owners of the funeral business, which was established in 1963. A third generation family funeral director, Roland and his staff ensures that the firm provides personalized premier family care through service to the community with integrity, respect, tenderness and unbiased attention to all. 

Coston Funeral Homes, Inc. was awarded the Best of the Best award from the National Funeral Directors Association in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011. This award is bestowed upon the top two percent of funeral homes in the country. Coston Funeral Homes, Inc. is the only firm from the state of Pennsylvania to ever receive this award and the
only firm worldwide to receive the award for three consecutive years.

Serving the community has always been a core value for Roland. He is currently the President of the Alumni Council at Shady Side Academy and the President of the FROGS Club (Friendly Rivalry Often Generates Success). He is a member of Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He serves as a trustee on the board of Shady Side Academy and is a board member with the Children’s Institute and Propel Charter School. 

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 from Geneva College with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He is married to Bethany Criswell and the father of Roland A. and Brandon I. Criswell.
Bethany J. Coston-Criswell, Funeral Director and Business Administrator

Email: bcriswell@costonfuneralhome.com

Bethany is the Supervisor at Coston, Gooden & Brown Funeral and Cremation Services, LLC in Pittsburgh, Pa. She serves as the organizations Marketing Director and Chief Financial Officer. In 2017, Bethany became a Licensed Funeral Director and a Licensed Insurance Agent. 

Her passion for helping families has led to the creation of The Coston Community Education Program. Each month, Bethany hosts and presents seminars to local churches and community groups on topics including Estate Planning, Grief and Healing for adults and children, Honoring Our Heroes, Understanding the Arrangement Process and Hospice Myths and Facts.  Her work with Hospice education in the Pittsburgh Community was so significant she was asked to serve on the board of Family Hospice & Palliative Care. Additionally, she served 8 years on the board of The York Children’s Foundation in selecting and awarding funding for national charities directed toward children organizations. Bethany’s passion for community extends to the firms commitment to community with the Coston Funeral Home endowed scholarship with NEED and supporting the programs of NEED.

Prior to working in the funeral profession, Bethany served as the Director of Communications at Mount Ararat Baptist Church where she was the creator and Editor-in-Chief of the Christian magazine, The Mount. This unique, edgy magazine with a circulation of over 7000 in 22 states, served as a prototype for other African American mega church magazines around the country. Prior to Mount Ararat, she was the Director of Public Relations in the Athletic Department at Carnegie Mellon University.

Bethany holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from Hampton University, as well as a M.Ed. in Sports Marketing from Temple University. She is a 2016 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Pittsburgh Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She also serves as a Parent Ambassador at Shady Side Academy. Bethany enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, writing and playing tennis. She and her husband Roland are proud parents to Roland, Jr. and Brandon.
LaShawn Mills, Customer Relations Specialist
Email: lmills@costonfuneralhome.com

LaShawn is a Customer Relations Specialist at Coston Funeral Home. She started with the company back in 2000. During her tenure, she has served in many capacities including training new staff, working visitations as a greeter, office support staff, funeral attendant, special events, family attendant and aftercare support. She is the mother of three daughters (Alaziah, Tyler and Paris and is a native of Pittsburgh, PA.
Danielle Colquitt, Funeral Director and Embalmer
Email: dcolquitt@costonfuneralhome.com

Danielle is a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. She has studied at Carlow University and the Community College Of Allegheny County, graduating with an Associates Degree of General Studies of Science. She is a 2016 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. She is a native of Clarksville, Tennessee.
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