Losing a loved one is never an easy thing. The grief of their passing can stay with you for the rest of your life.

While saying a final goodbye to someone close to you is hard, knowing you have an area mortuary going the extra mile for your well-being can make things a little easier.

La Mesa Courier caught up recently with Featheringill Mortuary’s Teri Featheringill for an email Q&A.

Contact Featheringill Mortuary:

Location – 6322 El Cajon Blvd.

Phone number – (619) 583-9511

Website – featheringillmortuary.com

Social media – facebook.com/FeatheringillMortuary/

LMC: How did you get into this business and what changes have you seen over the years in the industry?

Featheringill: World War I brought Walter Featheringill (1890-1979) born in —- Missouri to San Diego in 1912. He worked downtown in one of the three mortuaries then in San Diego. He continued in the mortuary profession helping his son operate the new mortuary until his passing. His son Wallace (1929-2016), a native San Diegan, received his degree in Business Administration in 1950 from San Diego State College. Wallace and his new bride, Marjorie, purchased vacant property on El Cajon Blvd. and built the building that is still where the mortuary operates today. They chose a property that was away from downtown and towards East County so that they could provide ample parking and the amenities.

LMC: Given how tough losing a loved one is for family and friends, how does your business go about making such difficult times a little easier on those saying goodbye to someone in their life?

Featheringill: Being a family-owned mortuary allows us to serve families in the way they wish to be served and results in a close personal service and a great financial savings to the family. Our staff is a group of people dedicated to serving. You may express your thoughts and they will be respected and given every consideration by our counselors. We want to fulfill all your needs, always considering your financial requirements. We own and operate a crematory as well and this allows us to provide quality personal cremation services in addition to burial services. In 2003, Southern California Crematory was purchased in Lake Elsinore, Ca. It is owned and operated by the Featheringill family.

Wally Featheringill was a generous, kind man. He was always concerned that the family received the services they needed and could comfortably afford. He became a pillar of the community and “by word of mouth” the business was successful. He worked at the mortuary until illness prevented him at the age 84. The Featheringill family has served the Community of San Diego County for many years; including the Lions North Park and La Mesa clubs, Grossmont Hospital Foundation, College Area Business Improvement District and various youth and sports organizations. We also participate and support the local and state Funeral Directors Associations and local hospices.

We currently have the third, fourth and fifth generations of the Featheringill family working at our mortuary. I’ve been working at the mortuary since 1985 and am now operating the mortuary and crematory. My sons Kori and Kyle Truesdale are the fourth generation to serve as licensed funeral directors. My granddaughter Ella is the newest and fifth generation. They hope to carry on the legacy of their grandfather/great-grandfather, Wally.

Each of the staff members at Featheringill Mortuary is committed to providing your family with the finest in personal end-of-life care. In fact, for years, it’s been comforting for area families to know that we are available to help at any time of the day or night. When a loved one dies, all you need to do is make one phone call. From that moment on, we’ll take on the responsibilities of the physical care of your loved one, and the emotional care of those left behind.

LMC: Has there been an upward trend in recent years towards cremations over traditional burials? If so, what has led to this?

Featheringill: Yes, there has been an upward trend towards cremations. This has been due largely to Covid. The cost of cemetery property has also been a reason for some to go to cremations. The cost makes it prohibitive for some families to be able to afford burial.

LMC: How important is it for individuals and families for that matter to plan ahead so that one’s wishes are observed when they pass away?

Featheringill: It is a blessing for your family to have the funeral plans arranged before needed. It makes it so that the family does not have to guess as to what you would want done. Also if the arrangements are paid for in advance, it is a relief that there will be no additional costs to your family.