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February Spotlight
LaRae Backeberg
For 18 years, LaRae has served families from first call through final disposition, creating meaningful services that honor life while supporting grief with dignity and care. One moment that has stayed with her came after a service when a grieving spouse quietly shared, “You made this bearable.”
That is the power of presence.
That is funeral service done well.
Her team describes her in one word: Steady.
LaRae leads with calm confidence and integrity, a lesson she learned over time. You do not have to constantly prove your worth. You demonstrate it through consistency and how you show up every day. Families have even requested her again after previous services, a reflection of the trust she builds so naturally.
Beyond her work at Hansen Mortuary, LaRae is building Selah & Soul, a healing-centered space for women navigating grief, burnout, and emotional overload. Her vision includes retreats and leadership development for women in funeral service and caregiving roles. She is passionate about helping women protect their mental health, process cumulative grief, and remember they are allowed to be human too.
When asked what Funeral Women Lead’s mission means to her, LaRae shared that unleashing greatness means women no longer shrinking to survive in this profession. It means connection instead of competition. It means leading with both strength and softness.
Her advice to other women in funeral service is simple and powerful:
Protect your mental health. Set boundaries. Take your days off. You are allowed to lead with compassion. That is not weakness. That is power.
LaRae, thank you for the steadiness, heart, and leadership you bring to funeral service. You are exactly why we celebrate Women’s History Month and why Funeral Women Lead exists.
Are you a woman in funeral service + deathcare unleashing your greatness?
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