Sylvia Garcia
Montebello,CA
Summary
Family Service Counselor with over fifteen years of experience in contract management and funeral arrangements. Expertise in facilitating family discussions, ensuring compliance, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Strong communication and organizational skills foster professional relationships with local vendors and funeral directors. Committed to delivering exceptional service and emotional support during critical moments.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Family Service Counselor
Wellabee - Great Western
Covina, California
10.2025 - Current
- Facilitated family meetings to discuss preferences for funeral services and merchandise.
- Assisted families in selecting burial, cremation, and memorial options based on needs.
- Prepared and maintained accurate documentation for all funeral arrangements.
- Ensured compliance with legal regulations governing funeral operations.
- Drafted detailed contracts outlining costs for funerals and related services.
- Maintained customer account records, including payment histories and contact information.
- Verified accuracy of all documents before submission to appropriate agencies.
Family Service Counselor
Park Lawn Cemetery
Commerce, California
02.2019 - 12.2024
- Streamlined cemetery arrangement processes for legal compliance and efficient contract execution.
- Managed all contracts, memorial orders, and customer inquiries to ensure satisfaction.
- Enhanced pre-need sales through leads generated from at-need sales and related events.
- Developed professional relationships with local mortuaries and memorial manufacturers.
- Tracked activity levels in CRM system and Appointment Plus for improved management.
- Coordinated with funeral directors to manage cemetery documentation and ensure compliance.
- Provided emotional support to families during challenging situations or transitions.
- Maintained confidentiality while handling sensitive client information responsibly.
Family Service Counselor
SCI
Chino, California
03.2017 - 02.2019
- Assisted families in understanding available services and support options.
- Coordinated funeral arrangements with families to ensure personalized services.
- Assisted in planning memorial ceremonies and associated logistics.
- Managed transportation logistics for deceased individuals and family members.
- Prepared and maintained necessary documentation for funeral services.
- Collaborated with vendors to secure caskets, flowers, and memorial items.
- Facilitated communication between families and religious or cultural representatives.
- Provided guidance to families on available options for burials, cremations and memorial services.
- Worked with vendors such as florists, musicians and others who may provide additional services at funerals or memorials.
- Maintained records of customer accounts including payment histories and contact details.
- Prepared detailed contracts outlining costs associated with funerals and other related services.
- Compiled information from family members to create meaningful eulogies.
- Educated customers about the importance of pre-planning their own funerals.
Family Service Specialist
Great Western
Montebello, California
01.2011 - 02.2016
- Please see above description for Family Service Counselor (present)
Funeral Arranger
So Ca Funeral Dir.
Whittier, California
12.2011 - 2014
- Assisted families with funeral arrangements and service planning.
- Coordinated transportation logistics for funeral services and memorial events.
- Supported grieving families during visitations and memorial services.
- Managed inventory of caskets, urns, and memorial products.
- Facilitated communication between families and funeral directors for service details.
- Ensured compliance with legal requirements related to funerals and burials.
- Oversaw filing of legal documents.
- Arranged funerals consistent with each family's heritage and religious beliefs.
- Addressed all client questions and requests for information relating to funeral services and pricing.
- Led and directed funeral and graveside services.
- Consulted with families of deceased to make funeral arrangements.
- Prepared death certificates and drafted obituaries.
- Completed and filed all necessary legal documentation quickly and accurately.
- Drafted professional correspondence and marketing materials.
- Arranged floral offerings and lights around caskets.
- Organized chapels for visitations and maintained calm and orderly atmosphere.
- Escorted mourners to parlors for wakes and funerals.
Administrative Coordinator
Finding Hope Counseling Center
Montebello
2009 - 2011
- Managed office operations and streamlined administrative processes for efficiency.
- Coordinated schedules and meetings for executives and team members.
- Implemented record-keeping systems to ensure organization of documents.
- Assisted in preparing reports and presentations for management review.
- Trained new staff on office procedures and company policies.
- Monitored office supplies inventory and ordered materials as needed.
- Developed filing systems to enhance information retrieval and accessibility.
- Provided general administrative support to staff members.
- Monitored emails, sorted mail and distributed correspondence accordingly.
- Performed data entry tasks into computer databases from paper documents.
- Answered incoming calls and responded to customer inquiries.
- Maintained filing system for important documents such as contracts and invoices.
Realtor
Coldwell Banker
Montebello
2000 - 2007
- Guided clients through buying and selling residential properties.
- Conducted market analysis to determine property values and trends.
- Developed marketing strategies to promote listings effectively.
- Negotiated contracts and agreements between buyers and sellers.
- Provided expert advice on property investment opportunities.
- Coordinated property showings and open houses for potential buyers.
- Collaborated with mortgage lenders and inspectors during transactions.
- Prepared documents such as purchase agreements, deeds, leases and other legal documents related to real estate transactions.
- Scheduled home viewings with potential buyers.
- Managed real estate transactions from initiation to closing.
- Represented buyers and sellers in major real estate transactions.
Education
Limited Funeral License
California Insurance Licence
California, Ca01-2010
Licence - Real Estate
Real Estate
01-2007
High School Diploma -
Garfield High School
Los Angeles, CA01-1975
Skills
- Funeral arrangements and pre-need sales
- Documentation accuracy
- CRM management
- Contract drafting and legal compliance
- Customer service and emotional support
- Relationship building
- Inventory management
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking skills
- Dependability and responsibility
- Public speaking and leadership
- Remote office availability
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Limited
Certification
California Insurance Licenses
Accomplishments
State of California Recognition for Supporting the City of Montebello with 9/11
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Family Service Counselor
Wellabee - Great Western
10.2025 - Current
Family Service Counselor
Park Lawn Cemetery
02.2019 - 12.2024
Family Service Counselor
SCI
03.2017 - 02.2019
Funeral Arranger
So Ca Funeral Dir.
12.2011 - 2014
Family Service Specialist
Great Western
01.2011 - 02.2016
Administrative Coordinator
Finding Hope Counseling Center
2009 - 2011
Realtor
Coldwell Banker
2000 - 2007
Limited Funeral License
California Insurance Licence
Licence - Real Estate
Real Estate
High School Diploma -
Garfield High School