About Us

Member of the Illinois Funeral Directors Association

Member of the National Funeral Directors Association

Barbara Marik Baken is a fourth-generation funeral director of Marik-Baken Funeral Services Ltd dedicated to mercifully serving families in their time of sorrow. Her family has been serving Westchester, Chicago, and the suburbs since the late 1800s. Barbara grew up living above her family’s funeral home, and it was during these early years she gained a genuine compassion for those who have lost loved ones, as well as an appreciation for the proper and dedicated care of the deceased persons.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois, Chicago, where she graduated with high honors, she still felt the desire to fulfill her calling in traditional funeral services. At that time, it was not often to find women working in the funeral industry, but she was determined to have a career helping families by continuing on the Marik Family tradition of funeral service. When the opportunity presented itself, she jumped at the chance to attend Worsham College of Mortuary Sciences where she graduated as Valedictorian of her 1973 class. Additionally, Barbara was inducted into Mu Sigma Alpha, an honor society for people in funeral service. Moreover, she received industry-sponsored honor awards in both embalming and chemistry. After the required one-year apprenticeship, she became officially licensed in 1974 and has been licensed ever since. In June of 2014, Barbara was recognized by the Illinois Funeral Directors Association for being licensed for 40 years.

Barbara firmly believes that each and every individual is unique and that each funeral should reflect and celebrate their special qualities and talents. She will do whatever it takes to help each family personalize the funeral services to best memorialize their loved one. She values the trust of the families she serves and is committed to honoring the loved ones who have passed while attending to the needs and concerns of the surviving family and friends. Contact us for assistance today.