Associates

Benjamin S. Brody, Funeral Assistant

As the eldest son in the Ryave/Brody family, Ben has been working at the funeral home part time for a number of years now. Ben's passion for helping people and his compassion is evident in everything he does. In his spare time, Ben can be found working at his other favorite part-time job at Farmer x Baker, or spending time with friends and writing or playing music.

Joshua A. Brody, Funeral Assistant

Josh is the youngest member of the Ryave/Brody family to join the family business. Josh brings a refreshing energy and enthusiasm to all aspects of running a funeral home. In his spare time, Josh can be found enjoying the great outdoors, his dogs, his friends and family, and writing and playing music.

Jon McAfoose, Funeral Assistant

Bio coming soon

Judy Ryave McGuire, Director of Aftercare Services and Community Outreach

I am thrilled to be taking on the duties of Director of Aftercare Services and Community Outreach programming at Ralph Schugar Chapel. My professional career began at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital as a Registered Dietitian, providing nutrition counseling to a wide variety of patients. After taking 12 years away from work to raise 3 wonderful children, I decided to return to the workforce as a fitness professional. The JCC of South Hills was where I spent the next 11 years helping clients achieve their health and fitness goals. Now, I am excited to take on a new challenge in which I will be able to continue my passion of helping others. As the Director of Aftercare Services, I am available after the funeral of a loved one to offer support, answer questions and assist in securing any services if needed. In addition to my duties as the Director of Aftercare, I also am a member of Upper St. Clair/Bethel Park Rotary and Friendship Circle. Please feel free to contact me via e-mail or by calling Ralph Schugar Chapel at 412-621-8282.

Erica Stophel, Controller and Human Resources Coordinator

Erica Stophel is the Controller and HR Coordinator at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., where she has been an integral team member for the past four years. With a robust educational foundation from the University of Pittsburgh, Erica graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, alongside a minor in French Language. She later earned her Master of Science in Accounting from the same institution.

During her college years, Erica gained valuable experience as a student assistant in the Provost/Vice President's office, a Resident Assistant mentoring first-year students, and a teaching assistant, where she supported students in mastering course material. Additionally, she completed a rotational tax and audit internship with Aronson, LLC, a Washington, D.C.-based accounting firm, in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following her internship, Erica began her career at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., starting as a funeral assistant. Over time, she transitioned into her current dual roles in HR and finance, where she contributes her expertise to the operational and financial success of the organization.

Currently, Erica is preparing for the CPA exam, further solidifying her expertise in accounting and finance. She is proficient in a range of IT and accounting software, including Oracle and mySQL. Beyond her professional life, Erica enjoys reading, traveling, shopping, and cherishing time with friends and family.

Nolan White, Executive and Funeral Assistant

Nolan White hails from the Pacific Northwest, specifically Washington State. He first began working in the deathcare industry in 2022, at the age of 22, as an assistant for a funeral home in Skagit Valley. He had initially decided to pursue a job in the funerary industry after having befriended a funeral director while he was backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail in 2021, who spoke highly of this particular career. Nolan soon found himself enjoying his new job for its lack of monotony and for the rewarding feeling that comes from helping members of the community as they navigate the arduous hardship that is losing a loved one. Nolan relocated to Pittsburgh during the summer of 2024 with the intent of attending The Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and very quickly found himself loving the city.

When he’s not poring over his studies or working Nolan can be found enjoying outdoor recreations, such as hiking and camping, as well as thrifting, attending concerts, running, watching schlocky B movies, or spending quality time with friends.