Katharine Wagner-Elfner

Funeral Director, Owner

Katharine was born and raised in South York and graduated from the Oldfields School in Glencoe, Maryland in 2005. She attended Albright College for a year where she went in as a Pre Med major and left at the end of her freshman year undecided. She took time off school and eventually worked in an outside sales position, covering York and Adams Counties. As time went on, something pulled within her to pursue a career in the funeral industry. In 2017, after almost 12 years of being in sales, she decided to return to school full time, working simultaneously and finished her credits needed to apply to Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. She left her sales career to pursue a position at the former Burg Funeral Home, Inc. in 2019. Katharine completed her required internship and embalmings at Burg and graduated from PIMS in 2021, becoming a licensed funeral director in Pennsylvania in January of 2022. Since meeting with the former owners of Burg and learning of their desire to retire, Katharine made it her goal to learn every aspect of the business in order to eventually own the funeral home, which became a reality on May 16, 2023. She and her husband Nathan have two boys, Sam and Maxwell, who are often at the funeral home along with their two golden doodles, Pete and Frank. In her free time, Katharine enjoys spending time with her boys, cooking, running, cruising and the weekly Sunday family dinners at her in laws. Katharine loves being a funeral director and being the first point of contact with a family to the last person, seeing them through the entire process of putting their loved one to rest. To be able to receive a call from a family who has lost a loved one and being given the honor to care for a decedent is a privilege.

From Katharine: “I am humbled to carry on the legacy of the Burg’s with my own added touch and will always strive to do my very best to make sure your experience with our funeral home is memorable and pleasing. We are a locally owned and operated funeral home and our goal is to create a calm and welcoming atmosphere for the families we serve. Having a peaceful environment for families where they can relax during arrangements and know we are with them through the entire funeral process is extremely important to me. If you need a hug, we will give you one and if you need to cry, we are always here to listen. Your loved one is special to us and it’s necessary for us to understand who they were so we can create a service to honor their legacy. We are easily accessible by phone or text and are available at your convenience.”

Nathan Elfner

Co-Owner

Nathan was born and raised in Red Lion and graduated from Red Lion High School in 2005. He obtained his Bachelors of Business Administration & Marketing from Penn State University and has worked as a relator with Century 21 Dale Realty Company in Red Lion since 2009. While Nathan is still involved in the day to day operations at the funeral home, he is still active in real estate and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. He enjoys interacting with the families at the funeral home and assisting with all funeral services. In his free time, he enjoys exercising, playing golf, traveling and being at home with his family.

Bill Cristopher

Funeral Director, Advance Funeral Planning

Dakota Bryant

Funeral Assistant

Dakota was born and raised in West Central Florida and graduated from Durant High School in Plant City Florida in 2018. He lived in Florida until he was 19 years old and moved to Alabama in 2019. In Alabama, Dakota began a career in construction. In 2021, he then moved to Pennsylvania where he worked in construction until he became employed at the former Burg Funeral Home, Inc. Since working there, Dakota has taken a great interest in the funeral home industry. In his free time, he enjoys watching sports. He looks forward to continuing his career at the funeral home. With Dakota’s southern charm, you will always be greeted by “Ma’am” or “Sir”.

Steven Kopp

Funeral Assistant

Steve was born in Windsor to Eugene A. Kopp and Lucille I. (Chapman) Kopp on January 22, 1953. Steve married his high school sweetheart Kimberly A. (Ritz) Kopp. They have two children Angela N. Michael and Scott S. Kopp both of Red Lion, and have four grand children and two great grandchildren.

Steve graduated from Red Lion Area High School in 1971 and the Harrisburg Barber School In 1972. He has been a licensed barber for 51 ears and owned barber shops in York and Lancaster counties. During his career Steve has served in various leadership positions. In 1995 he was appointed by Former Governor Tom Ridge to serve as a member of the Pennsylvania State Board of Barber Examiners and served until 2002. He also served as the President of Hair International of Pennsylvania, an organization of Barbers and Cosmetologists, and served as the President of the Pa. Legislative Council of Organized Barbers.

He is a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Red Lion where he served on many committees. Steve is a member of Charity Lodge #134 in Freeland, Maryland and the Chesapeake Scottish Rite Club of Baltimore, Maryland. Steve also served on the Red Lion Borough Council for eight years and served as Mayor of Red Lion from 2010 - 2017.

My life has been dedicated to serving the community and I look forward to continuing that at The Wagner-Elfner and Burg Funeral Home & Cremation Service.

Steve Lentz

Funeral Assistant

Steve was born and raised in York County. He attended York Suburban and attended college briefly before spending 27 years with BAE, 15 years with Hershey Medical and most recently, Manheim Auto Auction from where he retired. Steve was blessed with his wonderful wife, Lynn to whom he has been married for 35 years. They have two sons that have given them three wonderful grandchildren. Steve and his wife enjoy giving back to the community for all the blessings they have received in life. Steve has enjoyed golfing, softball and motorcycle riding over the years. He has been assisting in the funeral industry since early 2022.

Julie Beard

Funeral Assistant

Julie has spent lifetime in Red Lion connecting with others through music, usually playing the piano or organ and accompanying a soloist or group.  She counts Mr. Donald M. Warner and Mrs. Gladys F. Slenker as mentors and is grateful for their influence.

Her greatest joy, however, is her family, daughters Lauren and Hannah, and more recently her 2 beautiful granddaughters, on whom Julie's sun rises and sets.  Julie and her husband Jeff are involved in the Red Lion Historical Society and the AACA Museum in Hershey.  They enjoy traveling, naming Mount Rushmore, Mount Washington, and the Grand Canyon as highlights so far!

A retired educator, Julie teaches piano lessons in her home and practices yoga several times a week.

As a member of the Wagner-Elfner and Burg team, Julie especially values joining together with purposeful connection while a loved one is honored, and their lifetime celebrated. 

Lori Krouse

Funeral Assistant

Lori was a former High School Business teacher at Cumberland Valley & Red Lion Area School Districts. She retired after 28 years. She is married to Randy Krouse & has two married children, Lindsey & Adam. She also has one granddaughter, Addison. Her retired years are spent traveling, reading, gardening & spending time at the family beach condo. She enjoys her work at the Wagner-Elfner & Burg Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Ron Rosen

Funeral Assistant

Terri Elfner

Funeral Assistant