About Us
Papich-Kuba Funeral Service has been serving the Cedar Rapids area with compassion and respect since 1934. Our deep roots in the community are a source of pride, as we have grown side by side with the families we serve.
We hope you will consider us your source for compassionate care and exemplary service. Our pledge is to help you honor your loved one in a meaningful way, offering thoughtful guidance and personal attention to every detail.
Our Beginnings
The Kuba Funeral Home was established June 3, 1934 by Edward and Josephine Kuba just five days after their marriage on May 29th. The site of the first funeral home was at 1300 2nd Street S.E. In 1940, a new funeral home was built across the street to the north at 1228 2nd Street S.E. Edward Sr. and Josephine Kuba's two sons Edward Jr. and John Kuba both became licensed funeral directors and were involved in the operation of the family business for many years until pursuing other interests.
Over the years, the Kuba Family purchased the Janeba Funeral Home located at 1604 "J" Street S.W. from Joseph J. Janeba on January 1, 1962. In August, 1971, the Brady Funeral Home business (but not the property) located at 840 5th Avenue S.E. was purchased from Thomas J. Brady. The Kubas continued to operate the Brady-Kuba Funeral Home from this location until the property was sold in 1976. These acquistions allowed the Kuba Family to serve an even greater number of families needing their services.
Josephine M. Kuba, who was a partner with her husband in the business, died May 6, 1983.
In July, 1993, Michael Papich who was employed at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, Iowa, came to Cedar Rapids to work for Edward R. Kuba Sr. He purchased the Kuba Funeral Homes from Edward R. Kuba Sr. on August 16, 1996. At the time of the transfer of ownership in 1996, Edward R. Kuba Sr. had owned and operated the business since its establishment in 1934 for an astounding 62 years! Edward R. Kuba Sr. died unexpectedly at his home, 1228 2nd Street S.E., on April 14, 1998.
During the days of June 11-13, 2008, the city of Cedar Rapids experienced unparalleled devastation due to flooding of the Cedar River. Both the east and west side locations of the Papich-Kuba Funeral Homes were damaged and rendered inoperable. Through much hard work and personal sacrifice, the Papich-Kuba Janeba Chapel was reopened on April 6, 2009. Papich-Kuba Funeral Home on 2nd Street S.E., located two blocks from the Cedar River, endured considerably greater destruction from the flood waters. This location was reopened for business on January 1, 2012.
