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Who We Are
Our professional staff has years of experience caring for families from all walks of life. We are leaders in our profession, with dedication to service and professional integrity.
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When we sit down with a family, our shared goal is to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. We offer them a wide variety of services and products, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions. Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.
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About Us
As a family operated business, we take a different approach to serving you. Everything we do is rooted in a set of core values – honesty, trust and openness. It is our goal to ease your stress and help you navigate the many decisions you face.
You will notice the difference from the moment you step through our doors. Our facility is soothing, with light, airy decor, and a number of personal touches to make you feel at home. Our staff is warm and personable, and ready to meet your needs.
We honor all faiths, cultures and traditions, and we will work with you to plan a meaningful service that honors your loved one in a personal, memorable way. Just one such example is our Memories By Design Program (click here to view a sample video). This is a professionally prepared and studio edited video presentation featuring photographs of your loved, that can be viewed at the visitation, funeral, or memorial service.
Our staff, facilities, and complete range of services insure that when you select Heritage Memorial Services, you will feel comfortable with every step of the process.
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Dennis & Linda Gallagher, Founders of Heritage Memorial ServicesDennis and Linda Gallagher founded Heritage Memorial Services in 2001 to serve the Huntington Beach and surrounding communities. Dennis is a graduate of the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science and is licensed as an Embalmer and a Funeral Director. He has been serving families for over 45 years. Linda is a licensed Funeral Director with over 16 years of experience. Both are passionate about their profession and they always stand ready to serve. They love Huntington Beach and are involved in several service clubs and organizations; Kiwanis, Soropitimist, Chambers of Commerce, Golden West College Foundation, Council on Ageing, and Orange Coast Hospital Foundation. In their free time they enjoy spending time with family and friends.
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Decatur & Linda Dilday, ConsultantsLinda and I were both born and raised in Long Beach, California and I moved to Huntington Beach in July of 1968 upon the starting of Dilday Brothers Funeral Directors with my bother, R. Burr Dilday and Linda followed after our wedding in September of 1968. At. that time there was no San Diego Freeway, Huntington Beach seemed like an eternity away from Long Beach and there were many empty lots along Beach Blvd. I had started working at my family's mortuary, Dilday Family Funeral Directors, when I was about 14 years old and after graduating from high school in 1963 attended the Los Angeles College of Mortuary Science. I graduated in 1965 and have been a Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director since then.
My wife Linda is a Registered Nurse and has worked at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Huntington Intercommunity Hospital and Fountain Valley Regional Hospital over the last 43 years. She is currently retired as a RN but works many hours as a volunteer with Children's Memorial Hospital Auxiliary at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.
We have 4 grown children; Jason, Tamara Gilbert, Nicole Cohen and Shannon Dilday, along with 2 son-in-laws, 1 daughter-in-law and 7 wonderful grandchildren. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family and to have them all within a 2 hour radius of us!
We have worked very hard since the beginning of Dilday Brothers to serve the families of Huntington Beach and the surrounding cities in their time of need. Over the last 43 years I have or still do belong to the Huntington Beach Elks, the HB Exchange Club, Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, Long Beach Scottish Rite, Long Beach York Rite, Masonic Lodge, El Bekal Shrine, Long Beach Motor Patrol, International City Club, Southern California Tuna Club, the Royal Order of Jesters, and the Greeters.
Linda and I love the city of Huntington Beach that has been our home for over 43 years and the city that our children were raised in. It is a part of us that can never be taken. -
Cesar Gutierrez, Managing Partner -
Khari Knight, Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer/SupervisorI have been in the funeral profession for approximately 16 years and started my apprenticeship at Dilday Brothers in 1996. I have had the opportunity to grow and experience the many facets of our service and I am dedicated to Being the Best and incorporating the principles that I have built upon over the years throughout my career, especially in the last 5 years at Heritage Memorial Services under the leadership and guidance of Dennis and Linda Gallagher. It is about my committment to each family that walks in the door and in serving my community. I am honored to be of service and truly feel that what we offer families is a unique caring and level of compassion that is above expectation. We not only are the rock to lean on during a difficult time but we are also the coordinators of life celebrations when those we love and cherish are to be remembered. I offer my personal commitment of honesty, humility and integrity in all that I do for the bereaved and those they love.
In addition to my profession, I enjoy spending time with my daughter Brittany and son Shannon. I have a wonderfully supportive husband Chad whom I adore and a little pug Doris. We spend our time with family and friends locally and long distance when I'm not reading, or taking a nap! -
Alina Swain, Lead AdministratorAlina has been providing service to families since 1997. Alina is dedicated to Being the Best in her role. She is responsible for all facets of accounting and administrative functions associated with serving families at a very high level of customer service. She is the loving mother of three; two sons that are grown (Jonathan and Kevin) and a perfect little girl Isabell. She has a wonderful husband Gerry who is her rock and they enjoy spending time with family and rejoicing in Jesus. Alina is also bi-lingual in both English and Spanish but she agrees that the heart speaks all languages.
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Shirley Lain, Pre-Planning and Aftercare ManagerFuneral preplanning has become quite common, as more and more people have come to realize the benefits of making their arrangements in advance. Not only does preplanning insure that your wishes will be carried out, but it also spares your family from having to make the multitude of decisions necessary, especially at a time when they may be emotionally disadvantaged.
We are proud to have a caring professional on our staff named Shirley Lain who's personal ministry and passion is to educate all families and serve them during preplanning stages.
Shirley is a native California girl. She is a mother of 3 and grandmother of 5 (and counting) and it has been her privilege and pleasure to work with Heritage Memorial Services since 2001. She started her career in 1994 with a local cemetery working as a Family Services Counselor. Her knowledge of cemetery and mortuary completes her understanding of all aspects of making arrangements. Shirley is available to visit with you in the comfort of your home or in the office.
Shirley has helped thousands of families through some of the very worst days of their lives. Many of those people call her a dear friend. She has no patience for the "sales" element in the funeral industry. Her mission is to inform people about their needs, their choices and mostly about their options. She takes the guess work out of final arrangements. She has many glowing letters from people whom she loved and guided through the maze of decisions. Just ask her, she'll show you!
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Susan Robinson, Licensed Funeral DirectorSusan has been associated with Dilday Brothers Funeral Directors for 22 years. Currently a Seal Beach Chamber Member, Susan previously was in the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and the Lakewood Rotary Club. She is also a Public Notary. She is a very caring individual who believes in putting families first during their most difficult days. She is heartfelt, dedicated and sincere in her passion for her profession. Susan has been happily married for the last 20 years to her husband, Gary, and they are the proud parents of their dog, Bailey.
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Andy Glade, Licensed Funeral DirectorMoved to Huntington Beach from Nebraska in 2004. Attended Golden west College in Huntington Beach, CA and earned an Associate Degree/ Certificate in International Trade in 2007.
Andy has worked for Dilday Brothers since 2006.
Member of the Surfrider Foundation in Huntington Beach. -
Robert Jabro, Licensed Funeral Director / ChaplainI am Bob Jabro, the chaplain for Heritage and Dilday Brothers Funeral Directors. It is my honor to provide our families with guidance in planning a fitting memorial or a celebration of life for your loved one. Many families are in need of someone to conduct a beautiful and personal tribute and to organize such a gathering! When families are in need of assistance, I am here to help you and to conduct the service in our chapels, at the graveside or in another location such as a home venue, hotel, country club, beach or park setting. Each celebration should reflect the spirit, life story and special qualities of your loved one. I am here to respond to your needs in every way I can and to design a unique service with your imput and ideas!
I have been assisting families in our two locations since 1990! It is a privilege to enter into the lives of people who are in need of care and compassion during such a sacred time in your family’s life. Whatever I can do to help you before, during and after the celebration of life, I am ready and willing.
I serve the needs of people of ALL FAITHS and those who have no particular faith traditions. I am familiar with the customs and ceremonies of most religions and will help the family choose appropriate reflections and rituals, music and special ways of remembering your loved one. Ceremonies can be religious, spiritual or secular in nature, according to your wishes! -
Jamie Cogorno, Licensed Funeral DirectorHi my name is Jamie and I have been working in the Funeral Profession since 2007. I graduated from the Cypress College Mortuary Science Program in 2009. I've been a Licensed Funeral Director since 2008, and a Licensed Embalmer since 2011. Every day I have the opportunity to meet new people and, in a lot of instances, I learn about the mysteries of the departed. This profession provides truth in a reward of knowing each day is special, and that life doesn’t always mean work, it can and should be fun. I love this profession and am honored to be a part of something special and unique.
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Joe Costello, Service DirectorBorn and raised in Southern California, Joe began his career in funeral service with Dilday Brothers Mortuaries in 1989. Always friendly and willing to help, Joe has been honored to serve thousands of families in their time of need. He believes every family is unique and important and deserving of the highest level of care. Joe resides in Long Beach with his wife Margaret.
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Tania Gomez, Funeral Arranger -
Amy Baxter, Part Time Licensed Funeral DirectorA Cypress College graduate, Amy served as a student worker for mortuaries in Cypress and Long Beach before completing her two year embalming apprenticeship in Santa Maria, CA. Amy has been a Licensed Funeral Director since 2006 and a Licensed Embalmer since 2007. She lives in Fountain Valley, CA with her two teenage boys and enjoys watching them surf in competitions all over California.
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Dr. Mary Radecki, Bereavement SpecialistHello, my name is Dr. Mary Radecki. I am one of the Bereavement Counselors here at Heritage Memorial Services.
After the flowers have faded, and the other family members have left, there are times when we all need someone to talk to, a compassionate ear to listen to our grief concerns.
It is during this time that you will receive a call from me. If you would like, I can visit you personally in your home.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by the forms that your insurance company or pension provider has sent you, I can help you with the paperwork. If you have thoughts or feelings that you need to express, I will listen. If you just want someone to pray with you, or just sit next to you silently, I will be there for you.
Heritage Memorial Services has made it possible for me to offer support to every family that they serve. That means that I will call every family, and no one will be without the opportunity to receive the guidance, support, and referrals that you deserve following the loss of someone dear.
If I can be of assistance to you now, please call me at the mortuary, at 714-842-2400.
Very sincerely yours,
Dr. Mary Radecki
Bereavement Counselor
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Jeffrey Reeves, Maintenance / GardeningJeff has been proudly associated with the Dilday Brothers Funeral Directors for the last 26 years. Jeff is a very caring individual and does a fabulous job in taking personal care of our facilities. Jeff has a great personality and can always be seen with a smile on his face and a caring comment for all. Jeff is highly committed to helping others. Families are very complimentary of Jeff's caring attitude and his compassion for grieving families. Jeff is highly respected amongst his peers.
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Margo Malone, Embalmer -
Joshua Valencia, Funeral Assistant

