Our Staff - Brueggemann Funeral Home (2024)

A life-long resident of the community, Doug joined into the family business and learned under his father, Robert. A graduate of Northport High School, he later attended Farmingdale State University and earned an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science before his licensure in 1978. In 1991, a partnership was formed between Doug and Paul Papa as the two set forth growing the funeral home.

Doug is a co-founder and a past President of the Nassau-Suffolk Funeral Directors Association, has served in many roles with and is a past President of the New York State Funeral Directors Association. His service with the Family Assistance Commission and the National Victims Information Center has helped to identify victims and bring closure to families after national disasters such as TWA Flight 800, the World Trade Center attacks of September 11th 2001, the crash of American Airlines Flight 587, Hurricane Katrina and the Joplin Missouri EF-5 tornado in 2011.

Paul lives in Greenlawn. He began his funeral career as an assistant at Lang-Tobia-Di Palma Funeral Home in West Islip. In 1981 Paul joined the Brueggemann Funeral Home while attending Farmingdale State University where he earned an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science before his licensure in 1982. Paul partnered with Doug in 1991 and is a master embalmer.

Paul is a long-standing member of the American Society of Embalmers as well as the Knights of Columbus Fr. Thomas A. Judge Council #6893 of East Northport. He serves as a lector and Eucharistic Minister and is active on parish committees at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church in Greenlawn.

Dianna grew up in Commack and graduated from Hauppauge High School in 1998. She began a career in fashion after attending the Fashion Institute of Technology and later earned an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science from Nassau Community College.

Dianna sits on the Board of Directors for the Nassau Suffolk Funeral Directors Association and previously served as the Programs Coordinator. She was instrumental in establishing the annual Continuing Education Symposium to bring guest speakers and enriching materials to the benefit of funeral directors and the families they serve.

Dianna lives in the original home built by her grandparents Robert and Lillian with her husband Anthony, daughter Izabella and twins Annabelle and Ariana. She has an eye for design and orchestrated the 2013 interior remodel of the funeral home. She also enjoys cooking, and baking, as well as cheering on her three daughters in dance competitions.

A life-long resident of the community, Joe graduated from Commack High School North in 1974. He began a career as a Systems Analyst in the manufacturing industry. Joe began his funeral career with the Brueggemann Funeral Home as a door-man and pallbearer; he later earned an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science from Nassau Community College before his licensure in 2003.

Joe and his wife Kathy met while volunteering at the nearby Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Joe credits his time with the ambulance corps for developing his compassionate nature. Together they have three children, triplets, Michael, Melissa, and Matthew.

A life-long resident of the community, Craig graduated from Northport High School in 1989. He attended SUNY Stony Brook as a dual major of Sociology and Psychology, before beginning a career in law enforcement. Craig later earned an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science from Nassau Community College and began his career as a Funeral Director in nearby Huntington before joining the Brueggemann Funeral Home in 2008.

Craig is the office early-riser and fitness sage rolled into one. He is often found casually putting an easy fifty miles onto his bicycle or competing in virtual races with his teammates. Craig is the lone Islanders fan in a household held hostage by Rangers fans, but is consoled by the non-partisan friendship of his dogs Mack and Mindy.

Mike graduated from Northport High School in 2003. He began his funeral career with the Brueggemann Funeral Home as a door-man and pallbearer; he later earned an Associates Degree in Mortuary Science from Nassau Community College before his licensure in 2011

Mike sits on the Board of Directors for the Nassau Suffolk Funeral Directors Association and serves as the Cemeteries Coordinator where he assists area funeral directors with understanding regional and local policies pertaining to cemeteries.

Mike lives in Commack in a historic-designated home built by the Burr Family of Comac. He is an involved member of the community and has been a volunteer with the Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps since 2006, currently he serves as Chief of Department. He takes pride in showing his restored 1964 Volkswagen Beetle and making music.