Our Mission
The Los Angeles County Funeral Directors Association aims to support our members' growth - professionally, ethically and operationally- while supporting funeral service excellence.
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
Russell Chemerisov, 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 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.
Ashley Menear, Vice President
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.
Raymundo Perez-Plascencia, Secretary
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.
Sean Douglass, Treasurer
Douglass Family Mortuaries – South Bay
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.
Isis Huckins, Immed. Past 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.
Fred Nalder, Industry Professional
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, Industry Professional
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.
Brittany Holtson, Industry Professional
Brittany Holtson is an accomplished and thoughtful funeral professional with over a decade of experience in the industry. After graduating from Cypress Mortuary School in 2012, she became a licensed funeral director, embalmer, and crematory manager. Brittany owns Guided Transitions CA, a trade services company through which she actively networks with colleagues across the funeral industry to provide staffing services and support to funeral homes and crematories. She also owns Shoreline Cremation Society, offering personalized cremation services, and co-owns Destiny Funeral Home & Crematory. Her expertise and dedication to dignified care have earned her a respected reputation in the field. She feels honored to be invited to serve on the board of LACFDA and deeply appreciates the opportunity to be of service.
Karen Washington, Industry Professional
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.
Donna Misterly, Vendor Partner
Donna Misterly was born and raised in Southern California. Donna and her husband, Captain Doug, own Prince Charters, LLC and have provided ash scattering at sea services in LA and Orange County for families since 2010. Prince Charters was originally founded in 1965 by Captain Doug’s grandfather, Reverend Gilbert Prince, who was a pioneer in the ash scattering at sea industry. She began her career as a registered nurse followed by over 20 years in the insurance industry. Donna is currently serving as Vice President of Orange County’s Funeral Directors Association.
Steve Espolt, Industry Professional
Green Hills Memorial Park – Palos Verdes
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.
Mike Selvidge, Vendor Partner
Mike Selvidge was born and raised in Southern California. He graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Mike began his career in the homebuilding industry, working for some of the largest builders in the nation. After leaving the corporate world, he founded a biohazard cleaning and property damage restoration company, which he successfully sold. Currently, he is a founding partner of Steri-Clean SoCal, the region’s leading aftercare cleaning service.
Mike works closely with the funeral industry and was recently appointed to the LACFDA Board of Directors, where he collaborates with some of the most dedicated and influential funeral directors in Southern California. He is a licensed general contractor and holds three IICRC certifications, establishing him as an expert in property damage restoration.
Residing in Orange County with his wife of 21 years, their two daughters, and their mini poodle, Maggie, Mike is passionate about serving families in need and dedicates his spare time to volunteering.
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.Steve Espolt*
Kevin Ny -
Objectives:
Examine bylaws, suggest revisions, and prepare revisions for vote, add revisions to bylaws.Fred Nalder*
Steve Espolt -
Objectives:
Keep Membership appraised of the events and issues of the CFDA. Get our membership to assist with their issues.Sean Douglass*
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Raymundo Perez-Plascencia
Steve Espolt -
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*
Ashley Menear
Mike Selvidge -
Objectives:
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.
Russell Chemerisov*
Chanell O’Farrill -
Objective:
Maintain an open line of communication with the Health Department.Karen Washington*
Raymundo Perez-Plascencia -
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*
Brittany Holtson -
Objectives:
Examine lists of non-members 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.Donna Misterly*
Sean Douglass
Ashley Menear
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Donna Misterly*
Raymundo Perez-Plascencia -
Objective:
Meet with Director of the VA Cemetery and communicate to Board and Members any concerns from either party.Karen Washington*
Brittany Holtson
Steve Espolt