Kenneth McKenzie
Owner
Kenneth McKenzie's journey into mortuary services began at the tender age of 12, when he tragically lost his father to suicide. This profound loss ignited a passion within him to support grieving families, a calling that felt instinctive and deeply meaningful. However, he was troubled by the exorbitant costs associated with traditional funerals, prompting him to seek a more compassionate and affordable approach.
In 1994, after eight years of experience at a mortuary in Lakewood, California, Kenneth took a bold step by establishing McKenzie Cremation & Burial Services in Signal Hill, California. His mission was clear: to provide dignified funeral services at a fraction of the cost, making them accessible to all. As a testament to his commitment to giving back, Kenneth generously donates three percent of his professional service charges to charities chosen by the families he serves.
Beyond his dedication to affordable funeral care, Kenneth actively contributes to the well-being of his community through various philanthropic initiatives. He spearheads annual holiday food drives and summer estate sales, directly benefiting individuals under the care of local hospices facing financial constraints. Kenneth's unwavering dedication to community service has earned him widespread recognition, including accolades from Long Beach's esteemed officials.
Acknowledging his outstanding contributions, Kenneth has been honored as the recipient of numerous community awards over the past quarter-century. Most recently, on October 22, 2019, Mayor Robert Garcia of Long Beach presented Kenneth with a prestigious award at the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, recognizing his exceptional dedication to serving the community. As a beacon of compassion and generosity, Kenneth McKenzie continues to leave an indelible mark on the hearts and lives of those he serves.
Kenneth McKenzie
Owner
Kenneth McKenzie's journey into mortuary services began at the tender age of 12, when he tragically lost his father to suicide. This profound loss ignited a passion within him to support grieving families, a calling that felt instinctive and deeply meaningful. However, he was troubled by the exorbitant costs associated with traditional funerals, prompting him to seek a more compassionate and affordable approach.
In 1994, after eight years of experience at a mortuary in Lakewood, California, Kenneth took a bold step by establishing McKenzie Cremation & Burial Services in Signal Hill, California. His mission was clear: to provide dignified funeral services at a fraction of the cost, making them accessible to all. As a testament to his commitment to giving back, Kenneth generously donates three percent of his professional service charges to charities chosen by the families he serves.
Beyond his dedication to affordable funeral care, Kenneth actively contributes to the well-being of his community through various philanthropic initiatives. He spearheads annual holiday food drives and summer estate sales, directly benefiting individuals under the care of local hospices facing financial constraints. Kenneth's unwavering dedication to community service has earned him widespread recognition, including accolades from Long Beach's esteemed officials.
Acknowledging his outstanding contributions, Kenneth has been honored as the recipient of numerous community awards over the past quarter-century. Most recently, on October 22, 2019, Mayor Robert Garcia of Long Beach presented Kenneth with a prestigious award at the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, recognizing his exceptional dedication to serving the community. As a beacon of compassion and generosity, Kenneth McKenzie continues to leave an indelible mark on the hearts and lives of those he serves.
Nora Brown
Office Manager
As the Office and Finance Manager, I bring a strong foundation in management and bookkeeping, along with a heartfelt commitment to serving families. My career began in the banking industry shortly after high school, eventually transitioning into accounts payable. After stepping away from the workforce to raise and homeschool my children, I returned with a renewed sense of purpose and a deepened understanding of compassion and patience.
Although I’ve been in the funeral industry for under five years, my experience in finance and customer service has shaped the way I approach every aspect of this work, with empathy, attention to detail, and a people-first mindset. I am EDRS certified and currently pursuing my Funeral Arrangement Counselor certification to continue growing in this field and better support the families we serve. I’m also learning Spanish… slowly but surely. Let’s just say Google Translate and I are pretty close friends.
What drew me to this profession is the reminder it offers each day: life is both fragile and beautiful. It’s a privilege to walk with families during such meaningful moments and to be a steady presence when they need it most.
In my personal life, I have a love for travel and photography. Exploring new cultures, capturing the beauty of everyday life, and connecting with people from all walks of life bring me joy and perspective. I value creativity, diversity, and lifelong learning, qualities that I carry with me in both my personal and professional journey.
Nora Brown
Office Manager
As the Office and Finance Manager, I bring a strong foundation in management and bookkeeping, along with a heartfelt commitment to serving families. My career began in the banking industry shortly after high school, eventually transitioning into accounts payable. After stepping away from the workforce to raise and homeschool my children, I returned with a renewed sense of purpose and a deepened understanding of compassion and patience.
Although I’ve been in the funeral industry for under five years, my experience in finance and customer service has shaped the way I approach every aspect of this work, with empathy, attention to detail, and a people-first mindset. I am EDRS certified and currently pursuing my Funeral Arrangement Counselor certification to continue growing in this field and better support the families we serve. I’m also learning Spanish… slowly but surely. Let’s just say Google Translate and I are pretty close friends.
What drew me to this profession is the reminder it offers each day: life is both fragile and beautiful. It’s a privilege to walk with families during such meaningful moments and to be a steady presence when they need it most.
In my personal life, I have a love for travel and photography. Exploring new cultures, capturing the beauty of everyday life, and connecting with people from all walks of life bring me joy and perspective. I value creativity, diversity, and lifelong learning, qualities that I carry with me in both my personal and professional journey.
Erika Flores
Arranger
With 8 years of experience in the funeral industry, I am dedicated to providing compassionate guidance to families during their time of need. Holding certificates in funeral practices and state laws, as well as expertise in the Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS), I specialize in assisting families with funeral arrangements, with a focus on facilitating ship outs to foreign countries.
My approach is centered on creating a safe and supportive environment for families, where they feel comfortable expressing their emotions, whether through tears or laughter. I believe in the power of empathy and listening, allowing families to share their stories and memories freely.
While my journey into this profession wasn't initially planned, I quickly found myself deeply passionate about helping others navigate the grieving process. My favorite quote, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," reflects my resilient outlook and commitment to supporting families through difficult times.
Fluent in both Spanish and English, I strive to ensure that all families receive personalized and culturally sensitive care. I am honored to be trusted with their stories and entrusted with the care of their loved ones, and I am grateful every day for the opportunity to do what I love.
Erika Flores
Arranger
With 8 years of experience in the funeral industry, I am dedicated to providing compassionate guidance to families during their time of need. Holding certificates in funeral practices and state laws, as well as expertise in the Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS), I specialize in assisting families with funeral arrangements, with a focus on facilitating ship outs to foreign countries.
My approach is centered on creating a safe and supportive environment for families, where they feel comfortable expressing their emotions, whether through tears or laughter. I believe in the power of empathy and listening, allowing families to share their stories and memories freely.
While my journey into this profession wasn't initially planned, I quickly found myself deeply passionate about helping others navigate the grieving process. My favorite quote, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," reflects my resilient outlook and commitment to supporting families through difficult times.
Fluent in both Spanish and English, I strive to ensure that all families receive personalized and culturally sensitive care. I am honored to be trusted with their stories and entrusted with the care of their loved ones, and I am grateful every day for the opportunity to do what I love.
Maria Martin
EDRS
I serve as the EDRS Clerk here at Armstrong, Garcia, McKenzie Mortuary. Although I'm relatively new to the funeral service industry, I'm eager to soak up all the knowledge and experiences it has to offer.
My main responsibilities revolve around collecting vital data to process death certificates, answering phones, and providing top-notch customer service. I make it a priority to approach every interaction with families with professionalism, compassion, and utmost respect.
Throughout my career, I've always been eager to take on more responsibilities, which has led to my being promoted to leadership positions. My passion for helping families navigate through tough times inspired me to join the funeral planning industry.
I'm fluent in both English and Spanish, and outside of work, you might find me hiking, attending music festivals, or attempting to dance (even though rhythm isn't my strong suit). Maya Angelou's quote, "If you don’t like something, change it; if you can’t change it, change your attitude," resonates deeply with me, reminding me to stay positive and adaptable.
My goal is to assist families in finding resolution, peace, and acceptance through empathetic service and hospitality.
Maria Martin
EDRS
I serve as the EDRS Clerk here at Armstrong, Garcia, McKenzie Mortuary. Although I'm relatively new to the funeral service industry, I'm eager to soak up all the knowledge and experiences it has to offer.
My main responsibilities revolve around collecting vital data to process death certificates, answering phones, and providing top-notch customer service. I make it a priority to approach every interaction with families with professionalism, compassion, and utmost respect.
Throughout my career, I've always been eager to take on more responsibilities, which has led to my being promoted to leadership positions. My passion for helping families navigate through tough times inspired me to join the funeral planning industry.
I'm fluent in both English and Spanish, and outside of work, you might find me hiking, attending music festivals, or attempting to dance (even though rhythm isn't my strong suit). Maya Angelou's quote, "If you don’t like something, change it; if you can’t change it, change your attitude," resonates deeply with me, reminding me to stay positive and adaptable.
My goal is to assist families in finding resolution, peace, and acceptance through empathetic service and hospitality.
Jordan
Care Center Supervisor / Driver
Jordan
Care Center Supervisor / Driver
Jacquelne Castillo
Pre-need Specialist / Aftercare
Jackie helps families plan ahead with care and compassion. She sits down with you to talk through your wishes, answer questions, and make sure every detail is noted so your loved ones won’t have to worry later. Jackie guides families in choosing the type of service they want, explains options clearly, and helps arrange everything in advance. Her goal is to bring peace of mind — knowing plans are in place, costs are controlled, and your family can focus on remembering and celebrating a life well lived.
Jacquelne Castillo
Pre-need Specialist / Aftercare
Jackie helps families plan ahead with care and compassion. She sits down with you to talk through your wishes, answer questions, and make sure every detail is noted so your loved ones won’t have to worry later. Jackie guides families in choosing the type of service they want, explains options clearly, and helps arrange everything in advance. Her goal is to bring peace of mind — knowing plans are in place, costs are controlled, and your family can focus on remembering and celebrating a life well lived.
