McKenzie Mortuary Services

Sadly this story is real and if you're reading these words it relates directly to you. After my 34 years as a funeral director, I have never witnessed such devastation as the Covid death numbers rise each day. I’m a small independent funeral home and we averagely care for 900-1,000 families a yea...

Read more about us in this Long Beach Post News Article about the COVID-19 death surge.

Hips, knees, and shoulders!

On October 5th I had a total hip replacement at age 53. I had pain periodically for the past 10 years. For generations, the men on my father's side of our family were having to use a cane by age 60. Genetics coupled with hip dysplasia and the unusually fast growth ...

My mother was a very quick-witted, funny, gifted woman. She stood out by her “almost inappropriate” humor and the fact that she gained her commercial rating and became a female flight instructor in the mid-1970s. I remember mom making comments over the years on the way and how she would die.

“Y...

Death on a cruise ship

Having a person pass while on a vacation cruise liner happens more often than you would think. Many people taking cruises are elderly so it makes sense that death could occur. Over my career, I have removed 25-30 deceased off of cruise ships. Larger ships have a docto...

So I recently decided to have my hip replaced from an old track injury coupled with hip dysplasia and the beginning of a small amount of arthritis. I chose to replace now at a much younger age so I could revive better and faster, I was told by doctors that I could go another 20 years before reall...

It is a myth that only a veteran can be buried at a military VA cemetery. Any veteran that served in the military can be buried at any military cemetery at no cost to the family across the US. This benefit also carries over to the veteran's spouse. It does not matter if the spouse is male or fem...

We can help families still hold a celebration of life with friends and family with a virtual funeral. We want to help you through the process by still having the support of loved ones who can attend the funeral from their home. To learn more about how we can help you with a virtual funeral, pleas...

A woman called the mortuary the other day asking what people are doing during the pandemic when they can’t approach a friend or neighbor who has had a loss. Remember when you would actually get a card in the mail? The feeling that someone cared about you and the excitement of the words written ju...