SERVING HOUSTON, TEXAS AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES
Distinctive Life Cremation and Funeral Services is proud to provide care and support to our Houston community.
The Distinctive Life Houston Care Team, including our licensed funeral directors, are available 24/7 to meet with your family when and where it is best for you, whether it be your home, the hospital/hospice, our location, or wherever is most convenient and comforting for you. We take the time to really talk with you and your family, getting to know you and your loved one who has passed so we can understand what’s most important to you and to the deceased.
We also help families understand that remembrance or memorial services don’t have to be in a traditional funeral home or chapel. In fact, we’ve deliberately chosen to have a small facility in Houston that helps keep our costs low so that we can provide you with the best possible services at a budget-friendly cost. Distinctive Life’s experienced team can help plan services in a location that is meaningful to your loved one and your family – anywhere from a sports venue to a natural landmark. We believe that every life is distinctive, and every life deserves to be honored in a highly personal and meaningful way.
Our Care Team also helps families understand the full range of funeral and memorial services Distinctive Life provides, from cremation-only services to simple, private graveside services to full chapel or church-based services – whatever is needed to help you and your family honor your loved one, celebrate life, and fulfill last wishes.
Beyond our Immediate Need services, Distinctive Life also offers comprehensive pre-planning services to help individuals and families plan ahead, minimize costs, and ensure a legacy is preserved.
Andy Starr
Owner/Executive Director - Andy Starr has always had a knack for business, but he’s also always had a deep desire to serve people at critical times in their lives, whether they’re suffering from an injury, caring for aging parents, or enduring the loss of a loved one. As owner and executive director of Distinctive Life Funeral Homes, Andy has led the company’s efforts to change the way individuals and families are served by the funeral industry, focusing on honoring every life in a highly personal and meaningful way.
Before leading Distinctive Life, Andy co-founded and served as senior executive of Hearthstone Assisted Living, helping foster the company’s growth from scratch to more than 30 communities in 10 states. Before Hearthstone, he was a senior member of the founding management team for U.S. Physical Therapy, helping guide its explosive growth from a start-up to more than 75 clinics nationwide and transitioning it to public trading on the NASDAQ exchange.
Andy started his career as a real estate & banking attorney at the Houston firm of Hirsch & Westheimer after graduating with honors from the University of Texas School of Law. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University in New Orleans.
Zane BELYEA
Owner/Community Relations - From an early age, Zane Belyea knew he wanted a career that involved helping people. He earned a degree in social work and psychology at Southern Illinois University, then worked with abused and neglected children. Zane next worked in the education industry, eventually becoming vice president of recruitment for a large education firm. Many years of business travel and a growing family in Dallas led Zane to look for a new career path, so he followed the advice of one of his mentors and began a new career in the funeral industry.
True to his roots in social work, Zane finds it deeply rewarding to help families during one of the worst moments of their lives, and he’s instilled that passion for creating highly personal celebrations of life throughout Distinctive Life. “Every member of our team has a solemn commitment to serve all of our families well beyond their expectations,” says Zane. “We absolutely won’t let them down.”
Liz Vargas
Owner/Human Resources - As the vice president of accounting at Distinctive Life, Liz Vargas is responsible for the financials, procedures, budgets, and human resources for all Distinctive Life locations. Before joining the company, Liz worked as an accounting professional for more than 25 years in different industries. She specializes in the direction and setup of accounting systems, as well as establishing policies and procedures for financial and operational activities for startup companies. In her spare time, Liz enjoys working in her garden and watching the Houston Astros – her favorite sports team.
Micah Rappaport
Director of Marketing - Micah Rappaport is a marketing professional who enjoys turning research and data into simple stories that help teams grow. He earned his marketing degree from Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business and has hands-on experience with sales enablement, including contact discovery, outreach list building, and CRM hygiene. Micah is known for being organized, responsive, and easy to work with. He focuses on what solidifies customers' needs and communicates clearly with both sales and leadership. Based in Dallas, Micah is committed to delivering work that is practical, measurable, and delivered on time. When he is not working, he spends time with family and friends and follows his favorite Texas sports teams!
Shawn E. Simon
Location Manager/Funeral Director - Shawn is a 1993 graduate of Commonwealth Institute, holding an Associate’s Degree in Funeral Service. He is licensed as a Funeral Director in Texas and is an active member of the Texas Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association.
With over 30 years of experience, Shawn has served as a funeral director and location manager, providing professional, empathetic service to thousands of families across Houston’s premier funeral homes and cemeteries, including Geo. H Lewis & Sons, Forest Park Westheimer, Forest Park Lawndale, J.B. Earthman – Tanglewood, and Memorial Oaks Funeral Home. He has dedicated the past seven years to providing exemplary professionalism and support to the families served by Distinctive Life.
Shawn is originally from Crowley, Louisiana, and relocated to Texas in 1988. Outside of his professional duties, he enjoys his two dogs, landscaping, hunting, traveling, and relaxing with his friends and family. He is a proud father to Kristin and grandfather “Pops” to Layne, Jaxon, and Rylan, emphasizing his commitment to family values and community service. He is currently a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church.
Eric Bishop
Funeral Director - Though not a native Houstonian, Eric relocated to Houston at age 12 from Detroit, Michigan, with a brief period in Beaumont, TX. His educational journey included attending schools in Austin and working at the New Orleans JCC for two years. Despite these experiences, he currently has established Houston as his primary home.
Following graduation, Eric dedicated 18 years to the JCC, serving as summer camp director, teen director, and sports director. His career path shifted upon the recommendation of Jeff Friedman. Since 2014, Eric has been employed and has been a licensed funeral director since 2019. He finds fulfillment in supporting families and actively contributing to the community.
Outside of his professional commitments, Eric values spending quality time with his family, which includes his wife, Dr. Rachel Bishop, and their children, Dylan and Marissa Bishop. His personal interests encompass supporting Houston sports teams, watching films, enjoying live music and theater, and traveling, with a particular fondness for Walt Disney World Resort.
Margaret Little
Funeral Director - Margaret was born and raised in Kemah, Texas, and spent summers in Port Aransas, Texas, with her parents and older sister, with whom she shares a close bond. In 2015, she made Houston her permanent residence.
Initially, Margaret earned an Associate Degree in American Sign Language Interpretation in 2016. However, following the unexpected loss of a close friend, she pursued her true calling in the funeral industry. In 2020, she graduated with honors from the Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service, earning an Associate Degree in Funeral Directing. She is an active member of both the Texas Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association, reflecting her dedication to her profession.
Margaret truly feels a deep sense of purpose in helping families honor and celebrate the lives of their loved ones. During her free time, she enjoys spending quality moments with her husband, Andy, and their two dogs, Abby and Crow. Her hobbies include sailing, watching movies, and visiting family and friends.
rEBECCA evans
Provisional Funeral Director- Becca, a lifelong Texan, relocated from West Texas's desert and mountains to Fondren Southwest in 2011. With 15 years of experience as a synagogue administrator in El Paso and Houston, she pursued an Associate’s Degree in Funeral Directing at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service. Graduating with honors in December 2022, she became part of the Distinctive Life team.
As a funeral director, Becca is dedicated to offering guidance, compassion, and comfort to grieving families. She provides attentive, calming support with meticulous care during difficult times. She is an active member of Congregation Or Ami, where she chairs the Membership Committee and serves on the Board of Directors.
Outside her professional life, Becca enjoys reading, binge-watching Netflix shows, and exploring adventures with her teenage daughter, who is her greatest joy. Her commitment to service and community, combined with her personal passions, exemplifies her compassionate approach to her work and life, making her a trusted figure in her community and a caring presence for those she serves.
Jane Shapiro
Pre-Planning Advisor - Jane moved from the Boston area to Houston in the 1980s. She earned her degree from Boston College, obtained a certificate as an Assisted Living Administrator, and is licensed as a Pre-Planning Advisor. Her career includes roles in various healthcare organizations, where she provided staff training, fostered relationships within medical and religious circles, and counseled families on senior living options.
Her professional background includes positions at HCA, US Physical Therapy, Aetna Health Plans, the Alzheimer’s Association, Brazos Towers, and Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services. She actively volunteers at the Evelyn Rubinstein JCC, Seven Acres, WU, and Bellaire Senior Centers.
Since joining Distinctive Life in 2018, Jane has focused on educating families about the importance of pre-planning. Jane considers her work a calling, a mitzvah, and a gift—an opportunity to share her knowledge, life experiences, passion, and empathy with those in need. Her dedication reflects her commitment to serving her community with compassion and understanding.
Josh Reinitz
Pre-Planning Advisor - Since childhood, Josh has been instilled with the value of loving-kindness. This emphasis on caring for others and the community-led Josh to pursue a career in the funeral industry. Josh’s heartfelt approach to educating individuals and families about their end-of-life decisions brings ease and comfort to difficult conversations. Josh feels privileged to work alongside families to ensure that they have an exceptional experience when preparing for the inevitable. In joining Distinctive Life, Josh brings several years of experience as a pre-planning advisor and a friendly face to the Houston community.
When Josh is not working at Distinctive Life, he is serving the Houston community as an HFD firefighter at Station 37 on Stella Link. Being a firefighter has further strengthened Josh’s passion as a helping professional. Josh is the co-founder and director of The Captain Renaud Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to Houston firefighters and their families after a line-of-duty death, catastrophic injury, or work-acquired cancer diagnosis.
Josh is a member of Congregation Beth Israel. He has two sons and a daughter, Henry, Bowen, and Maeve, who attend The Shlenker School.
Cindy Kaplan
Pre-Planning Advisor - Cindy is a second-generation Houston native with a diverse professional background spanning various industries, including fashion and insurance. Her broad experience reflects her adaptability and commitment to her career development.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Cindy has been an active and longstanding member of Houston’s Jewish community. She was part of the inaugural sixth-grade class at Beth Yeshurun Day School, attended Pershing Middle School, and graduated from Bellaire High School. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas and completed a master’s in education at the University of Houston.
Married for 25 years, Cindy is a mother to two sons and a grandmother to four grandchildren. Her personal experience with her husband's passing has given her insight into hospice and funeral services. She now channels her empathy and knowledge into her role as a Pre-Planning Advisor at Distinctive Life, aiming to support others through similar life transitions.
Lu Dorfman
Pre-Planning Advisor - Lu Dorfman has a passion for all things Jewish. Following a 30-year career in private industry, Lu served as Executive Director of Congregation Beth Yeshurun for 17 years, retiring at the beginning of 2019. Prior to his entrée into the professional Jewish world in 2002, Lu established a 23-year “career” in leadership in Jewish volunteering in local, national, and international organizations. During his 40 years in organized Jewish life, Lu has counseled families with their life cycle needs from births to deaths, including officiating at brisses, funerals, and unveilings. Lu is married to Robin for nearly 49 years. They have 3 children and 6 grandchildren in Atlanta, Memphis, and Houston.
Jacquelyn Gitschel
Community Liaison - Jacquelyn was born and raised in Crowley, Louisiana, as the youngest of nine children in a Lebanese family. She attended LSU on an academic scholarship and earned a degree in Fashion Merchandising. After college, she moved to Houston, where she built a career in retail management and buying before transitioning to roles that allowed her more flexibility and deeper community involvement.
During this time, Jacquelyn married her husband, a California native, and they started their family together. Their two children were born in California before they moved back to Houston in 2012 to be closer to loved ones.
Her passion for helping others led her to work in client support and planning, where she guided families in making informed decisions about their future. She values connection, advocacy, and providing resources to those in need. With years of experience in relationship-building, she is dedicated to being a compassionate presence for individuals and families navigating important life decisions.
Jacquelyn looks forward to serving as a trusted resource in the community, offering guidance and support to those she meets.
Sassy
Unofficially Canine Grief Counselor- Sassy holds the title of the youngest among the Unofficial Canine Grief Counselors at Distinctive Life Houston. At 6 months old, she's a delightful apricot toy poodle weighing in at 3.5 pounds. Sassy's role involves offering comfort and warm cuddles to individuals navigating the challenging waters of grief and sadness. Beyond her crucial role in providing emotional support to grieving families, Sassy also brightens the days of individuals engaged in Pre-Need planning, spreading joy and bringing smiles wherever she goes.
If you'd like Sassy to be with you during your appointment, please call 713-588-5358.
violet june
Unofficial Canine Grief Counselor- Meet Violet June, our Unofficial Canine Grief Counselor at Distinctive Life Houston. She is a 2 ½-year-old Goldendoodle weighing in at a mere 57 lbs. and believes she is truly a lap dog. Her traits include being playful, affectionate, obedient, being responsive to emotions whether happy or sad, and enjoys providing comfort and support to those she encounters. Violet doesn’t know a stranger, she will be your best friend, she always greets everyone with licks, tail wagging, sitting for treats, and overwhelming affection. Violet June is here to provide comfort and support during times of grief and sadness.
If you'd like Violet to be with you during your appointment, please call: 713.725.1542 or contact us.