Our Staff

Robert J. Kugler, son of Kugler Funeral Home Founder Edward F. Kugler Jr., became the 2nd generation of the Kugler Family to become a funeral director and is currently the General Manager of the funeral home.

Robert Kugler is a lifelong resident of Saddle Brook and graduate of Saddle Brook High School. Robert received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of Miami, a Master of Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an Honorary Doctorate from Yeshua University & Theological Seminary. Robert attended and graduated from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Mortuary Science of NYC, NY in 1984 and is a licensed Funeral Director since 1985.

Robert’s professional memberships and associations include the NJ State Funeral Directors Association and Passaic County Funeral Directors Association. Robert is the recipient of many awards and commendations through his years of community service including the Ten Outstanding Young Citizens and NJ Community Service Award from NJ Jaycees, Distinguished Graduate Award from the National Catholic Educational Association, Administrator of The Year Award, Hall of Honor Inductee, and recipient of various Appreciation Awards from Peace Islands Institute, Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith and Special Recognition Award from NJ END DWI.

In addition to his decades of service to the funeral home and community, Robert is a longtime Police Officer serving his hometown Saddle Brook Police Department since 1985. Robert became Chief of Police in 1995 and is the longest serving Chief in the history of the department and currently the longest serving Police Chief in Bergen County. Chief Kugler is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, West Point Command & Leadership Program and has served as President of both the NJ Chiefs of Police Association and Bergen County Police Chiefs Association. Chief Kugler has also been Saddle Brook’s Emergency Management Coordinator for many years and is Municipal Chairman of the Saddle Brook Republican County Committee. Chief Kugler has also been a candidate for the elected office of Bergen County Sheriff.

Robert Kugler takes exceptional pride and honor, along with his wife Christine and daughters Shayna and Kaila, in continuing the legacy of his father, Edward F. Kugler Jr., Founder of Kugler Funeral Home, in providing professional and compassionate service to all families they serve

Kaila Kugler, daughter of Robert Kugler, is a third generation Funeral Director continuing the Kugler Funeral Home Family tradition started by her grandfather and founder, Edward F. Kugler Jr.

Kaila is a graduate of William Paterson University earning her Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Kaila then attended and graduated from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Mortuary Science and became a licensed Funeral Director in 2015. She is a member of the NJ State Funeral Directors Association and Passaic County Funeral Directors Association. Kaila is the Assistant Manager and Director of the day to day responsibilities and activities of the funeral home operations.

Kaila is a devout Christian whose life work is devoted to spreading the love, kindness and compassion of Jesus Christ, to all families she serves and all others she meets.

Shayna Kugler, daughter of Robert Kugler, is our third generation Funeral Director continuing the Kugler Funeral Home Family tradition started by her grandfather and funeral home founder, Edward F. Kugler Jr.

Shayna is a graduate of NYC’s prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology achieving a Bachelor of Science Degree in 2008. Shayna then attended American Academy McAllister Institute Mortuary School graduating in 2009 and has been a licensed Funeral Director since 2010.

Shayna is a member of the NJ State Funeral Directors Association and has served as President of the Passaic County Funeral Directors Association. Shayna is a Certified Funeral Celebrant and also a law enforcement officer since 2014 currently serving as Sergeant with Bergen County Sheriff’s Department. With her lifelong commitment to the family funeral home and her community, she continues the Kugler Funeral Home legacy as a third generation funeral director.

Christine Kugler, wife of Robert Kugler, is a licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Designer. Christine is a graduate of Capri Institute of Cosmetology and Hair Design in 1981.

Christine’s service with Kugler Funeral Home began in 1985 as a Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist. Christine’s continuous service and ever-evolving responsibilities with the Kugler Funeral Home include customer service representative, logistics coordinator, grief counselor, faith and spiritual development, and many other day to day tasks associated with the funeral home business. Christine currently serves as Funeral Home Office Manager.

Christine possesses exceptional pride and a deep rooted passion in her various roles with Kugler Funeral Home and in treating all families we serve like our own family.