Losing a loved one is weird. You’re expected to make roughly 200 decisions in about 48 hours while your brain feels like it’s made of cotton candy. If you live in the Cleveland area, specifically near the Southeast suburbs, you’ve probably driven past the big white house at 521 Broadway Avenue a thousand times. That’s johnson romito bedford ohio. It’s been a fixture of the community for over a century. But there is a massive shift happening right now that most people—even the locals—haven't quite caught up with yet.
Honestly, the "mom and pop" funeral home is becoming a bit of a unicorn. In August 2024, the news dropped that Johnson-Romito was officially merging with Busch Funeral and Crematory Services. It wasn't a hostile takeover or some cold corporate buyout. It was more like two old friends deciding to share a workshop.
The Reality of Johnson Romito Bedford Ohio Today
For decades, Donald B. Johnson and later Ed Romito were the faces of this place. If you went there, you saw Ed. He started as a high schooler looking for a part-time job with flexible hours because he played sports. He ended up staying for fifty years. That’s the kind of longevity you just don’t see in the modern workforce.
But here’s what really matters: The name on the sign says johnson romito bedford ohio, but the backbone is now the Busch family. Why should you care? Because the "death care" industry is getting insanely expensive. By joining forces, they’re basically trying to keep the cost of a casket from hitting the price of a mid-sized sedan.
Why the Location Matters
Bedford isn't exactly a sprawling metropolis. It’s a tight-knit spot. The funeral home sits right on Broadway, nestled among the historic architecture.
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- Accessibility: It serves Bedford Heights, Walton Hills, and Oakwood Village.
- The Vibe: It doesn't feel like a hospital. It feels like a living room. That matters when you're crying in front of strangers.
- Facilities: They have flexible seating. Whether you have five people or five hundred, they move the walls and chairs around so it doesn't feel empty or cramped.
What Most People Get Wrong About Costs
People think every funeral home charges the same. They don't.
If you look at the raw data for johnson romito bedford ohio, the "Basic Services of the Director" usually starts around $1,600. That’s the fee just for them to exist and handle the paperwork. Then you add the "Transfer of Remains" (about $385) and "Embalming" (roughly $650). By the time you pick out a casket—which can easily run you $1,500 for a basic model—you’re looking at a $5,000 bill before you’ve even bought a single flower.
The merger with Busch is actually a strategic move to keep these numbers from skyrocketing. When a business has twelve locations instead of four, they buy stuff in bulk. It sounds clinical to talk about "bulk buying" for funerals, but it's the difference between a family being able to afford a service or going into debt.
Cremation vs. Burial in Bedford
The trend is shifting hard toward cremation. It’s basically the "new normal" in Northeast Ohio. A direct cremation at Johnson-Romito generally lands around $2,545. Compare that to a traditional burial which starts closer to $3,455 (and that's without the cemetery fees).
People in Bedford are practical. I’ve seen services there where the deceased was buried in their favorite Cleveland Browns jersey or even golf clothes. The Romito family always leaned into that. They weren't the "suit and tie only" type of directors. They understood that if Grandpa spent 40 years in sweatpants, he probably didn't want to spend eternity in a tuxedo.
The Recent Passing of Ruth Romito
It’s worth mentioning that the family behind the name isn’t immune to the services they provide. In January 2026, Ruth Romito, the matriarch and wife of the late Andrew "Andy" Romito, passed away at 95. She was a master Bridge player and a pianist.
When you see the name johnson romito bedford ohio on an obituary, it isn't just a business listing. It’s a legacy that the Romito family, specifically Mike Romito and Debi Romito-DePompei, are trying to protect by partnering with the Busches. They are still involved. They didn't just sell the keys and move to Florida.
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Actionable Steps for Families in Bedford
If you are currently looking at options or just pre-planning (which, honestly, your kids will thank you for later), here is what you actually need to do:
- Ask for the General Price List (GPL): Federal law says they have to give this to you. Don't let anyone "estimate" over the phone without seeing the paper.
- Check the Veteran Benefits: This location specializes in Veteran services. If your loved one served, the VA often covers a significant portion of the burial costs at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.
- Tour the Broadway Location: Don't just look at photos. Walk in. See if the "vibe" feels right. Some people find the Bedford location comforting because of its age; others might prefer the more modern Busch facilities in Parma or Avon.
- Inquire About the "Busch-Romito" Guarantee: Since the merger, they’ve updated their service guarantees. Make sure you ask what happens if you aren't satisfied with the service.
The reality of johnson romito bedford ohio is that it's a bridge between the old-school way of doing things—where the funeral director knew your name because he sat behind you in church—and the new-school necessity of big-business efficiency. It’s a weird mix, but in the current economy, it’s probably the only way these historic neighborhood spots survive.