White Emerson Mortuary

• Funeral homes

• Philip R. White

  5th Generation Owner

  Born and raised in Whittier, Phil is the fifth-generation of the White family to own and operate White Emerson Mortuary. He attended Whittier Christian High School and eventually took over the family business after initially pursuing other work. After the 1987 Whittier Narrows Earthquake destroyed the original mortuary, Phil served as Owner and Builder in reconstructing the current facility. He is married to Rebekah and has two children, Paul and Annie, who both work for the family business, as well as three grandchildren. Phil is an avid outdoor sportsman and passionate cook.

• Paul D. White

  Managing Director

  Licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Crematory Manager in California; Funeral Directors license in Utah; Bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies from Biola University; Associate's degree in Mortuary Science from Cypress College

  Paul White is the sixth-generation of funeral directors in his family's business. He attended Cypress College for Mortuary Science at age 16 and earned an Associate's degree. He graduated from Biola University with a Bachelor's degree in Biblical Studies. After college, he worked for a non-profit organization in Utah before joining the funeral profession in Salt Lake City. He eventually moved back to California to join the family business. Paul is active in the local community as a member of the Whittier Area Chamber of Commerce and Whittier Host Lions Club. In 2013, he helped found the Transitional Care Task Force (LA Chapter), a partnership between funeral service providers and hospice organizations.

• Richard Crain

  Family Services Coordinator

  Licensed Minister; Grief Specialist Certification from the Grief Recovery Institute

  Richard was born in Arkansas and raised in the San Gabriel Valley. He attended Pasadena College where he was Drum Major of the Official Tournament of Roses Band for two consecutive years, and later studied at Azusa Pacific University's Masters in Conducting Program. He served in the military, completing basic training at Ft. Dix, New Jersey and MOS training at Ft. Lewis, Washington. He worked as Operations Manager for Security Pacific National Bank before studying at Berean School of the Bible. As a licensed minister, he served as Worship Arts Director at First Family Church in Whittier, composed musical productions, and conducted the Southern California Edison Company Chorale. He later served as a Chaplain for Silverado Hospice Company before joining White Emerson Mortuary. Richard is married to Ronalyn and has two sons, two daughters-in-law, and two granddaughters.

• Dan Anguis

  Support Staff

  Dan was born in Los Angeles, raised in South Orange County, and married in Whittier. He has been serving families in the funeral profession since 2013. As a creative, he takes pride in helping bring families' visions to life through his work in White Emerson's print and digital media and custom cemetery monuments.

• Miguel Acuna

  Funeral Assistant

  Miguel was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas where he attended Roy Miller High School. He served in the United States Marine Corps for two years after graduating from high school, then attended college. Miguel joined the team at White Emerson Mortuary in 1996 as a funeral assistant. He enjoys BBQing and spending time with his children and grandchildren, and serves as an Elder through Cornerstone Celebration Center International Church in Whittier.

• Cecilia Vallez

  Part-time Service Director

  Cecilia came to White Emerson in 2014 and has served in the funeral industry for 18 years total. Her primary responsibility is as a service director, assisting families and clergy in coordinating funeral service details, including church services and graveside ceremonies. She is bilingual, serving diverse families in the Whittier community. She is a native to Southern California, enjoys music, singing, and surfing. She has been married to her husband Mike for almost 25 years and makes her home in Whittier.

• On-site crematory

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 from 276 reviews on google

General context, not specific to White Emerson Mortuary: a typical funeral homes price covers the items on the left. Those on the right are common add-ons billed separately — ask for an itemized list.

• Funeral costs: the complete guide
• How much does a funeral cost?
• How to pay for a funeral
• What to do when someone dies

• Funeral Director

Other cremation and funeral providers in and around Beverly Hills.