I've removed several pilot bearings / bushings in my time and it's always been a pain, usually involving a slide hammer and smashed fingers or grease and a giant mess. Heard of somebody using bread instead of grease with good results so I gave it a shot...works GREAT!

On the left is the pilot bushing...on the right is one entire slice of white bread. As a bonus, the bread also absorbs all the clutch dust and other dirt, leaving a nice clean surface.