The Bobcean Funeral Home has quite a long history with Flat Rock. For over 80 years, the Bobcean family has served the Flat Rock community through some of our most difficult times. On September 13, 2019, Bob Gilbert purchased the funeral home from the Bobcean family. Despite this change of ownership, the funeral home has been renamed Bobcean Funeral Home to continue to honor the family that has served our community for so long. Bob Gilbert admitted he was quite nervous about taking over a family business that had held such strong roots in the community. In the face of this new challenge, Bob leaned on the many years of obstacles and experiences he had working with families through the most trying of times. Bob hoped he could ultimately build the same strong community connection to Flat Rock the Bobcean’s had cultivated.
Bob knew at six years old he wanted to be a funeral director when his father passed away. At 16, he started working at a funeral home. By 18 years old, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a Graves Registration Specialist. This role was a unique service that could be difficult, especially in a catastrophe, as Bob was responsible for identifying the deceased. As painful as it may seem, this service provided answers to those at home. This service has ultimately come to be helpful once again with the struggles we face in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Bob is a member of MIMORT, the Michigan Mortuary ResponseTeam, which assists local medical examiners through this ongoing pandemic and returning the deceased to their loved ones. Although this is such a challenging part of our current reality, Bob helps many community members have the support and closure they deserve.
Prior to taking over Bobcean’s, Bob was a partner in a Westland funeral homeand a general manager for a Livonia Funeral Home for many years. As many don’t want to think about end of life services, they truly are a part of life and shared by everyone. Bobcean has been a part of these challenging moments for many years for so many families. Bob came into the Flat Rock community and made the transition flawlessly. Bob has a way of making people feel comfortable, thoughtfully expressing the full life of each lost family member and communicating how important the mourning process is for each of us. He not only is a counselor to many, but truly helps guide families through very difficult times. In a time when so many things are often structured and rushed, Bob and the Bobcean tradition is not. They provide a service we all dread but can and is provided with sincere care and compassion, along with a guiding hand, at Bobcean’s. Bob takes great pride in and respect for his profession, which is seen in his devotion through his services.
As we embark into 2022, please know our community has many businesses that offer wonderful, caring services. Bobcean’s Funeral Home is one of them. Bob, his family, and associates are there to help with compassion, guidance and are a wonderful addition to our community.
Bobcean’s Funeral Home
26307 E. Huron River Dr.
Flat Rock, MI 48134
bobceanfh@gmail.com
(734) 782-2755