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 graduated from Whittier Christian High School and joined the family business after realizing his calling to funeral service. Following the 1987 Whittier Narrows Earthquake, he acted as Owner and Builder in rebuilding the current mortuary facility. Married to Rebekah in 1984, they have two children, Paul and Annie, who both work for the family business, and three grandchildren. Phil is an avid outdoor sportsman and passionate home gardener.

• Paul D. White

  Managing Director

  Funeral Director, Embalmer, Crematory Manager (California); Funeral Directors license (Utah); Associates degree in Mortuary Science; Bachelors degree in Biblical Studies

  Paul White is the sixth-generation of funeral directors in his family's business. He attended the Mortuary Science program at Cypress College earning an Associates degree, then graduated from Biola University in La Mirada with a Bachelors degree in Biblical Studies. He worked for a non-profit organization in Utah and later in the funeral profession in Salt Lake City before returning to California to join the family business. He is active in the Whittier Area Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Whittier Host Lions Club, and helped found the Transitional Care Task Force (LA Chapter) in 2013.

• Richard Crain

  Family Services Coordinator

  Grief Specialist Certification from the Grief Recovery Institute; Licensed Minister

  Born in Arkansas and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, Richard attended Pasadena College where he was Drum Major of the Official Tournament of Roses Band for two consecutive years. He studied at Berean School of the Bible and served as Worship Arts Director at First Family Church in Whittier, developing musical and artistic worship expressions. He also served as musical conductor of the Southern California Edison Company Chorale and worked as a Chaplain for Silverado Hospice Company before joining White Emerson Mortuary. He conducts grief support meetings and finds satisfaction in helping families honor their loved ones.

• Dan Anguis

  Support Staff

  Born in Los Angeles and raised in South Orange County, Dan has been serving families in the funeral profession since 2013. As a creative professional, he takes joy in helping bring families' visions to life through White Emerson's print and digital media and custom cemetery monuments.

• Miguel Acuna

  Funeral Assistant

  Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, Miguel attended Roy Miller High School and served in the United States Marine Corps for two years. He joined White Emerson Mortuary in 1996 as a funeral assistant and finds the work rewarding because he gets to help families in their time of need. He enjoys BBQ and spending time with his children and grandchildren, and serves as an Elder at Cornerstone Celebration Center International Church in Whittier.

• Cecilia Vallez

  Part-time Service Director

  Cecilia came to White Emerson in 2014 with 18 years of experience in the funeral industry. She serves as a service director, assisting families and clergy in coordinating funeral service details, including church services and graveside ceremonies. Bilingual, she helps serve diverse families from the broader Whittier community. She is a native to Southern California, married to her husband Mike for almost 25 years, and enjoys music, singing, surfing, and spending time with her daughters.

• 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
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