OUR TEAM

Tyler grew up in the Central Ohio area. He graduated from the Ohio Christian University in 2020 with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Tyler has dedicated his career to helping others in need and has found a home at Leaf Cremation where he can serve others with kindness and compassion. In his spare time you can find him spending time with family, fishing, being outdoors, and exploring the food and drink scenes of Columbus.

Born and raised in Northwest Ohio, Arielle graduated from Bowling Green High School in 2012, the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2014, and received her funeral director and embalmer licenses in 2016. Arielle joined the wonderful team here at Leaf Cremation in January 2023. In her free time, she loves cuddling with her fur babies: Cleopatra, Loris, Curiosity (cats) and Wink (sugar glider) and rewatching the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. She also enjoys listening to music and appreciating the talent found at Columbus's resident theater company, Shadowbox Live.

Leigh grew up in Holland, Ohio. She received a Bachelor's of Mortuary Science from the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science in 2018. Leigh joined Leaf Cremation in September 2021. She spends her free time going for walks, baking, and playing video games.

Crematory Operator Certified

I started my career driving the, "family car," in my hometown of Springfield, Ohio. This is where is started to development and broaden my interest, leading to my Bachelors of Mortuary in 2018. My new licenses and love for exploration has lead me to my new found appreciation for the beautiful city of Columbus and the art of Mortuary Science.

Taylor grew up in northeastern Ohio, with her parents and two older siblings. She graduated from the University of Akron in 2016, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Communications along with a minor in Marketing. She takes pleasure in developing connections with families and is dedicated to finding personalized solutions for each individual. In her leisure time, Taylor cherishes spending time with her children, going for walks or devouring a great read.

Natasha is a Columbus Native, Graduate of Westland High School. Recently married with a 15 year old son, now Mother to 2 adult and one teen step children. She is an avid lover of Nature, Pop-Fiction and Performative Art. In her spare time she finds herself a full time dog mom, amateur botanist and Royal throne to two sweet loving felines. Her strengths are empathy, acceptance and experience. Leaf cremation has been a good fit for her, as she navigates a new chapter in life, she’s got exceptional staff and mentors by her side.

Eric (Ric) grew up in Mechanicsburg, OH, where he graduated high school in 2015. He received a Bachelors in Business Administration from Thiel College and an Associates in Specialized Technology, Funeral Directing and Embalming from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. Ric joined Leaf Cremation in July of 2020. You can find him enjoying his free time by exploring the city parks, markets, and restaurants. He also enjoys relaxing to Disney movies with a glass of red wine.

Pierce graduated with a degree in Entrepreneurship and Family Business May of 2019 from Auburn University.  He is the son of Clift Dempsey, owner of Leaf Cremation.  Pierce has a passion for serving families, and is trained as a certified crematory operator, cremation arranger, and cremation administrator. In his time off, Pierce enjoys playing golf and spending time at the beach. Pierce and his wife, Ashley, are members of Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Pierce and Ashley celebrated the birth of their son this year!  

Certified Crematory Operator

Nick is a graduate of the University of Georgia and started working in the Cemetery Industry with Clift Dempsey in 2010.  He is a Past President and current Treasurer of the Georgia Cemetery Association and also serves as a Director for the Southern Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association.  He has been involved with Leaf Cremation since its inception and is proud to be a part of such a wonderful team that serves families with kindness and compassion. Nick is a husband and a father of three.  He and his family attend and serve at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cartersville, GA.

Clift C. Dempsey, CCFE, CCrE is a third generation funeral professional having started his career at the young age of twenty years old selling cemetery arrangements for his family’s three cemeteries in Rome, Georgia. Mr. Dempsey quickly became involved in the professions state, regional and national associations learning more and more about the industry. 

While working full time for his family’s business Mr. Dempsey graduated from Shorter College in 1993 receiving a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration. Mr. Dempsey went on and held numerous Board of Director positions with the Georgia Cemetery Association, Southern Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association and the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association. The first two associations Mr Dempsey is a Past President. Mr. Dempsey received his CCFE and CCrE designation which means he is recognized by the ICCFA to be a Certified Cemetery and Funeral Executive and Certified Cremation Executive for the contributions to his industry and to his community as well as the Quarter Century Award for his involvement in the funeral industry. Mr. Dempsey just graduated from the ICCFA University, an industry educational program in 2019.

In 2008 Mr Dempsey was appointed by Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue to become the first Chairman of the State Board of Cemeterians. This board regulates over 216 perpetual care cemeteries for the State of Georgia and oversees all regulatory and legislative matters. In 2013, Dempsey opened Georgia Cremation Centers which was renamed Leaf Cremation to serve families all over the State of Georgia with a low cost alternative to funeral expenses and to provide the best possible service to families choosing cremation. Dempsey has opened a new Leaf Cremation Center in Columbus, Ohio and plans to continue the growth throughout the United States. Dempsey currently serves on the Board of Directors of the ICCFA and is the Legislative Chairman for the Georgia Cemetery Association.

Mr. Dempsey is active in his local church being an ordained deacon and missions team leader. For over 13 years Mr. Dempsey has lead a mission team yearly to Sesheke, Zambia, Africa to help a church in this impoverished area of Africa. Mr. Dempsey earned his Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America and has been active in the scouting program his adult life. He is a graduate of the Adult Leadership Program of the Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Dempsey enjoys golf and spending time with his family.

Mr. Dempsey is married to Melanie and they have four children, Clifton, Pierce, Wyn and Mac, two grandsons, Charlie and Anderson and family pets, Baxter and Callie.