About Us
Landmark Funeral Group is redefining what it means to grow with purpose in the funeral care profession. We partner in ownership of funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemeteries in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding areas.
Our Mission
To provide compassionate and exceptional funeral services that honor the unique lives of those we serve.
We are dedicated to supporting families and communities with care, dignity, and respect during their most difficult moments.
Our Approach: People First, Always
Our streamlined practices focus on reducing excess and ensuring resources go where they matter most: empowering the devoted care teams who serve families and individuals with warmth, respect, and integrity. At the same time, we prioritize the growth of our people, offering robust professional development and unique opportunities for advancement within our organization.
By nurturing our team, we cultivate leaders who evolve with the communities they serve and deepen their impact every step of the way.
Who We Are
We have over 60 years of combined experience and specialize in all aspects of the funeral industry.
Seb D'Appolonia
Chief Executive Officer
Seb D'Appolonia is the President and CEO of the Landmark Funeral Group. He is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions and is passionate about inspirational leadership. Seb takes a genuine interest in the personal and professional development of his team in an effort to help them unleash their true potential while supporting, challenging, and empowering associates to achieve company objectives. His desire to cultivate deep, meaningful human relationships and his ability to blend strategic vision with hands-on execution help establish the trust and confidence that form the foundation of Landmark’s partnerships.
Prior to his role at Landmark, Seb entered funeral service in 2021 as one of the co-founders of Milestone Funeral Partners, where he served as the Chief Growth Officer. His leadership, dedication, and results-driven approach helped establish Milestone as a major player in the death-care business and secure its ownership transition in 2024.
Seb previously enjoyed a successful 20+ year career in various business development, sales, and sales leadership roles, primarily in the insurance and financial services industries. Those roles equipped him with a strong foundation in relationship management, financial planning, and strategic development.
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, and after spending more than a decade in the Washington, DC area, Seb has enjoyed calling the Portland, ME area home for the last 15+ years. He is the proud father of two daughters and a son, all of whom are in their 20s. In his free time, you can find Seb traveling the world, enjoying the outdoors (especially on the water), cooking, and spending as much quality time with friends and family as possible.
Seb D'Appolonia
Chief Executive Officer
Seb D'Appolonia is the President and CEO of the Landmark Funeral Group. He is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions and is passionate about inspirational leadership. Seb takes a genuine interest in the personal and professional development of his team in an effort to help them unleash their true potential while supporting, challenging, and empowering associates to achieve company objectives. His desire to cultivate deep, meaningful human relationships and his ability to blend strategic vision with hands-on execution help establish the trust and confidence that form the foundation of Landmark’s partnerships.
Prior to his role at Landmark, Seb entered funeral service in 2021 as one of the co-founders of Milestone Funeral Partners, where he served as the Chief Growth Officer. His leadership, dedication, and results-driven approach helped establish Milestone as a major player in the death-care business and secure its ownership transition in 2024.
Seb previously enjoyed a successful 20+ year career in various business development, sales, and sales leadership roles, primarily in the insurance and financial services industries. Those roles equipped him with a strong foundation in relationship management, financial planning, and strategic development.
Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, and after spending more than a decade in the Washington, DC area, Seb has enjoyed calling the Portland, ME area home for the last 15+ years. He is the proud father of two daughters and a son, all of whom are in their 20s. In his free time, you can find Seb traveling the world, enjoying the outdoors (especially on the water), cooking, and spending as much quality time with friends and family as possible.
Ryan Hobbs
Chief Operating Officer
Ryan has worked in funeral service his entire career, starting at the age of 17 in his hometown of Fostoria, Ohio.
His funeral service journey began with washing cars and mowing the grass. He then made his way inside the home to assist families in other ways. He lived at funeral homes in both Columbus, Ohio, and Newport, Kentucky, while working his way through school at Ohio State and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He graduated in 1995 after serving as president of his class.
Following the completion of his apprenticeship and developing as a young funeral director, Ryan purchased and grew two small funeral homes. He joined Walker Funeral Homes in Northwest Ohio in 2011 after the sale of his business.
Ryan developed in leadership, becoming the location manager of the flagship location, then regional manager, vice president, and eventually president of the Walker family of care providers. He worked alongside Keith Walker to grow to the 11 locations that proudly serve families today.
Ryan now acts as the Chief Operating Officer of Landmark Funeral Group. He is eager to bring his operational experience and heart for funeral service to new areas, helping maintain the quality care families deserve in their time of bereavement. He believes deeply in the need to respect the inherent dignity of every human person and in building a culture that does the same.
Ryan and his wife, Erica, have 10 children: Anthony (wife, Helen), Alexis (husband, Kyle Buzzi), Avery, Anderson, Adeline, Adam, Ambrose, Anna, Abigail, and Aquinas. They also have two grandchildren, Scarlett Therese and Ezra John Paul Buzzi.
In his free time, Ryan enjoys reading, writing, speaking, and the occasional single malt scotch or Italian wine. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys spending time with the people he loves. He is a past president of Kiwanis, Rotary, and Lions Clubs. He cares deeply about serving the community and has served on numerous boards for non-profit organizations, including his current role on the board of directors of Catholic Charities of Northwest Ohio.
Ryan Hobbs
Chief Operating Officer
Ryan has worked in funeral service his entire career, starting at the age of 17 in his hometown of Fostoria, Ohio.
His funeral service journey began with washing cars and mowing the grass. He then made his way inside the home to assist families in other ways. He lived at funeral homes in both Columbus, Ohio, and Newport, Kentucky, while working his way through school at Ohio State and the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. He graduated in 1995 after serving as president of his class.
Following the completion of his apprenticeship and developing as a young funeral director, Ryan purchased and grew two small funeral homes. He joined Walker Funeral Homes in Northwest Ohio in 2011 after the sale of his business.
Ryan developed in leadership, becoming the location manager of the flagship location, then regional manager, vice president, and eventually president of the Walker family of care providers. He worked alongside Keith Walker to grow to the 11 locations that proudly serve families today.
Ryan now acts as the Chief Operating Officer of Landmark Funeral Group. He is eager to bring his operational experience and heart for funeral service to new areas, helping maintain the quality care families deserve in their time of bereavement. He believes deeply in the need to respect the inherent dignity of every human person and in building a culture that does the same.
Ryan and his wife, Erica, have 10 children: Anthony (wife, Helen), Alexis (husband, Kyle Buzzi), Avery, Anderson, Adeline, Adam, Ambrose, Anna, Abigail, and Aquinas. They also have two grandchildren, Scarlett Therese and Ezra John Paul Buzzi.
In his free time, Ryan enjoys reading, writing, speaking, and the occasional single malt scotch or Italian wine. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys spending time with the people he loves. He is a past president of Kiwanis, Rotary, and Lions Clubs. He cares deeply about serving the community and has served on numerous boards for non-profit organizations, including his current role on the board of directors of Catholic Charities of Northwest Ohio.
Ashkan Bagheri
Chief Financial Officer
Ashkan Bagheri (Ash) is a seasoned finance executive with over 18 years of experience in financial planning, value creation, liquidity optimization, and risk management. His career spans multiple industries—including power and utilities, real estate, and manufacturing—across both public and private equity environments. Ash is recognized for his transformational and collaborative leadership style, fostering innovation and embracing change in dynamic, fast-paced settings. He holds a bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering and an MBA and is both a CPA and CFA charter holder.
Based in Toronto, Canada, Ash is married and a proud father to a 12-year-old son. He values quality time with family, enjoys summer sports, and is passionate about volunteering and supporting others. A devoted rock music fan, his playlist features Iron Maiden and Metallica. He also loves traveling, which allows him to explore new cultures and challenge himself physically—bringing balance and energy to both his personal and professional life.
Ashkan Bagheri
Chief Financial Officer
Ashkan Bagheri (Ash) is a seasoned finance executive with over 18 years of experience in financial planning, value creation, liquidity optimization, and risk management. His career spans multiple industries—including power and utilities, real estate, and manufacturing—across both public and private equity environments. Ash is recognized for his transformational and collaborative leadership style, fostering innovation and embracing change in dynamic, fast-paced settings. He holds a bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering and an MBA and is both a CPA and CFA charter holder.
Based in Toronto, Canada, Ash is married and a proud father to a 12-year-old son. He values quality time with family, enjoys summer sports, and is passionate about volunteering and supporting others. A devoted rock music fan, his playlist features Iron Maiden and Metallica. He also loves traveling, which allows him to explore new cultures and challenge himself physically—bringing balance and energy to both his personal and professional life.
