Our Mission
The Los Angeles County Funeral Directors Association aims to be a resource that supports our members' growth - professionally, ethically and operationally. Our Mission is to enhance and support funeral service excellence through our programs, legislative representation and service to our membership.
Our Values
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1
Advancing the value principles that guide our organization's behaviors and actions.
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2
Advocacy on behalf of consumers and members.
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3
Supporting the advancement of honest and ethical behavior within the funeral industry.
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4
Collaboration with others in the interest of consumers and members.
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5
Recognize the importance of education as a vehicle to enhance both public service and public image.
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6
Dedication to community as agents of public health.
Our Vision
Our Board
Isis Huckins, President
Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary - Whittier
Isis Huckins started as an apprentice at Rose Hills in 1996 and is currently the Care Center Manager. Isis obtained her bachelor’s degree at Cal State Fullerton and her Masters in Psychology at Azusa Pacific University. Isis has been on the board of the LA County Funeral Directors Association since 2021.
Russell Chemerisov, Vice-President
Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary – Los Angeles
Russell Chemerisov is the Family Services Assistant Manager of Hillside Memorial Park Mortuary. A licensed Funeral Director, Russell serves on the Los Angeles County Funeral Directors Board. He is also the Vice-Chair of the Legislative Committee for the California Funeral Directors Association. Additionally, he serves on the Funeral Practices Committee for the Board of Rabbis of Southern California. He has a bachelor’s degree in Jewish Studies and an MBA in Nonprofit Management. Russell is passionate about serving families and being active in the funeral service community.
Steve Espolt, Secretary
Coastal Funeral Center – Lomita
Steve Espolt is a native of Southern California. Born in Compton and raised in Long Beach, Steve entered Funeral Service in 1978 at the young age of 18. While studying at Cypress College of Mortuary Science he served his apprenticeship at Miller-Mies-McComb Mortuary in Downey. Receiving his California Embalmer’s License less than a week after his 21st birthday made him one of the youngest to be licensed in the state.
Steve proudly served as an Airman in the United States Air Force, spending nearly three years in Spangdahlem, Germany. After several years in sales and management positions at various funeral and cemetery establishments, including Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary in Culver City, Steve joined Green Hills Memorial Park in 2005 as the Director of Sales. He currently serves as the Manager of Strategic Planning and Compliance for Green Hills and Coastal Funeral Center.
Sean Douglass, Treasurer
Douglass Family Mortuaries – Hawthorne
Hello, my name is Sean Douglass. I am the President of Douglass Family Mortuaries and a past president of Los Angeles County Funeral Directors Association. I am a third-generation funeral director and a third-generation past president of the organization. Joining the organization, I felt it was right to give back to the industry that treated me and my family with honor and respect. Now 26 years later, I am honored to be a part of a group that does so much for the funeral industry.
Karen Washington
Inglewood Park Cemetery - Inglewood
Karen R. Washington is a native of Los Angeles, CA and during the late 1980’s her career shifted from Corporate America, Real Estate Development in Westwood to the Funeral Industry. Karen became a licensed Funeral Director in 1995. Currently serving on the board of directors of LACFDA, past President 2018-2019. Her passion, enthusiasm, and unyielding respect for the families she interfaces with daily have allowed her to provide legendary funeral services. She takes pride in serving the public both locally and globally. Attention to detail and passion for this field go beyond the formal education and training that she has received.
Fred Nalder
Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary – Whittier
Fred Nalder, originally from Rigby, Idaho, “the birthplace of television,” is currently Director of Mortuary Operations at Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary. Having a passion for this profession he has been an active member in our local and State Funeral Associations. Outside of work, you will generally find Fred in a baseball cap with camera in hand searching for the perfect photo.
Chanell O’Farrill- Immed. Past President
Hollywood Forever – Hollywood
Chanell O’Farrill is a licensed funeral director, serving on the board of directors for the Los Angeles County Funeral Directors Association. She is the mortuary manager and crematory manager of Hollywood Funeral Home, and Hollywood Forever Cemetery, respectively. Since entering this profession in 2000, Chanell has felt privileged to be of service to families from all cultures and has enjoyed facilitating many traditional and non-traditional services and celebrations.
Chanell has served on the Los Angeles County Funeral Directors’ Board of Directors over 10 years and was LACFDA President from 2008 to 2009, and again from 2023 to 2024. She is currently chair of LACFDA’s Coroner committee. In 2016, the California Funeral Directors Association recognized Ms. O’Farrill with the Dick Fallbeck Award, naming her Funeral Director of the Year. In addition to her involvement on the LACFDA board, she is an industry member of the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Cemetery and Funeral Bureau’s Advisory Committee, and a certified Celebrant.
Eric Rothman
Malinow and Silverman Mortuary - Covina
I have the privilege of owning the oldest Jewish Mortuary in Southern California. Prior to that, I held senior management positions at two of the most prestigious Jewish cemetery/mortuary combinations: Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries, and Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary.
In my 32+ years in funeral service, I have served thousands of families. I cannot imagine doing anything more gratifying or meaningful.
I feel honored to serve on the board of LACFDA with other funeral professionals who take their responsibility to the community as seriously as I do.
Raymundo Perez-Plascencia
Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary - Whittier
After completing his formal education and earning an Associate in Mortuary Science in 2019, Raymundo began his professional career at Rose Hills, where he has demonstrated his skill as a both a compassionate funeral director and accomplished embalmer. Currently, he holds the position of Mortuary Office Manager at Rose Hills.
Raymundo has shown great proficiency in all areas of funeral services, including embalming, funeral arrangements, and bereavement counseling during his six years in the industry. He is a member of the California Funeral Directors Association, a board member of LACFDA, and a board member of the OCFDA. In 2021, he was honored with the title of Young Funeral Director of the Year.
Ashley Menear
All Souls Mortuary – Long Beach
Ashley Menear is the Manager of All Souls Mortuary in Long Beach. She is a 1997 graduate of Cypress College of Mortuary Science and is a licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director. Ashley has been with All Souls Mortuary since their opening in 2000 and takes pride in serving the community of Long Beach & surrounding areas. She is passionate about funeral service, and is honored to be a part of the Los Angeles County Funeral Directors Association.
Our Committees
*Asterisks denote the Chair of Committee
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Objectives:
Keep the members informed of upcoming events and late breaking news that can’t wait until the Bulletin. Send out a newsletter quarterly informing members of news and events, within the organization and industry.Jenna Moerk*
Sophia Garcia -
Objective:
Examine bylaws, suggest revisions, and prepare revisions for vote, add revisions to bylaws.Fred Nalder*
Steve Espolt -
Objective:
Keep Membership appraised of the events and issues of the CFDA. Get our membership to assist with their issues.Fred Nalder*
Sean Douglas -
Objectives:
Have quarterly meetings with the coroner’s office to discuss all matters as they relate to the LACC. Inform the membership of the process and procedures the membership will take if a major disaster should occur.Chanell O’Farrill*
Fred Nalder
Sophia Garcia
Joe Henson -
Objections:
Keep lines of communication open between DCA and members. Keep membership informed of laws in the legislature that will affect our industry and establish campaigns to support or challenge legislation.
Chanell O’Farrill*
Jenna Moerk -
Objectives:
Maintain an open line of communication with the Health Department.Further Issues:
Karen Washington*
Sergio Montano
Sophia Garcia
Sean Douglas -
Objectives:
Establish dinner meetings throughout the year. Create workshops to educate and train our membership in the issues that affects the professionalism of our industry.Isis Huckins*
Sean Douglas
George Perez
Eric Rothman -
Objectives:
Examine lists of nonmembers and encourage them to join by explaining our worth through the programs we have and the things we have accomplished. Review our membership to find any extraordinary people that would be an asset to our board. Help assure diversity in our board so that all groups are fairly represented in their issues.Steve Espolt*
Sergio Montano
Eric Rothman
George Perez -
Objective:
Meet with Director of the VA Cemetery and communicate to Board and Members any concerns from either party.Joe Henson*
Karen Washington