Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park and Mortuary — Attraction in Los Angeles

Our experience with this cemetery has been incredibly frustrating and disheartening. The consultant, Adriana, failed to inform us about a critical step in the process—the headstone design—during our final meetings regarding my uncle’s resting place. She assured us that everything was taken care of and fully paid for, which was completely untrue. Because of this, we spent months waiting for nothing, unaware that the headstone had not even been designed.

What’s even more concerning is that we only realized the gravity of this mistake when we went in person on 3/15/2025, to speak about the overgrown grass and the lack of a marker at the burial site. During that visit, a kind young man informed us about the headstone design process—something we had never been told before. At that moment, we understood just how serious of an error had been made and how much time had been wasted due to Adriana’s negligence.

Adding to this frustration, my elderly grandmother has been calling repeatedly since January, only to be met with dismissive responses and empty promises that her messages would be passed along. She has been neglected and ignored for months. It feels as though she was disregarded simply because of her age. It wasn’t until I stepped in as her advocate on 3/15/2025, that any action was finally taken.

Since 3/18/2025, I have been calling daily, attempting to reach Adriana’s manager, Alfredo. Despite leaving multiple messages with the front desk, I had yet to receive a single response.

I finally spoke to the manager Alfredo today 3/20/2025 and he simply heard my frustration and while I was letting him know we do not want to meet with Adriana anymore, he let me the headstone had been already put on a rush order.

Essentially explained to me that behind my back, Adriana met with my grandmother and quickly rushed through the headstone design process without informing me, even though I had been the one handling all of these arrangements. My grandmother, completely worn down by grief and just wanting this ordeal to be over, didn’t even advocate for herself in the way she was justified to. She didn’t push back, didn’t question why this was suddenly happening now after months of inaction—because she was simply too exhausted from mourning to keep fighting for something that should have never been this difficult in the first place.

To make matters worse, Adriana outright lied to my grandmother, telling her that I had never called regarding this matter. This is completely false—I have call logs proving my repeated attempts, and I even spoke to a staff member named Dominga.

Because of Adriana’s negligence, a rush order for the headstone has now been placed, but it will still take another 2-3 months to arrive. Had she done her job correctly from the start, the headstone would have been completed by January. Instead, we are now forced to wait until May or June.

Beyond their poor handling of grieving families, this funeral home does not provide any type of marker or physical indication of where loved ones are buried. The grass is severely overgrown, and to this day, we are not even certain if the site we have been visiting since October 2024 is truly my uncle’s final resting place.

This is all the more heartbreaking because the cemetery itself is beautiful, but the administrative team consisting of Adriana and the poor message forwarding process is completely incompetent. What’s even more devastating is that my grandmother will one day be buried here as well, as her arrangements have already been prepaid. To keep her with her son, we unfortunately have no choice but to continue dealing with this facility.

I strongly urge anyone considering this cemetery to proceed with extreme caution—especially if you have elderly family members handling arrangements. The lack of communication, dishonesty, and complete disregard for grieving families make this an untrustworthy place to lay a loved one to rest. Out of every single experience in someone's life, the arrangement for final resting should NEVER...

My mother recently passed away on April 27, 2022. I planned her funeral 9 years ago with Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park in North Hollywood, Ca. I had the pleasure to work with German Graciano, community service counselor. He was very professional and trustworthy that I even sent other family members to purchase funeral services. One of the reasons I planned ahead was that I didn’t want to be dealing with funeral matters at the time of her death. Mourning the death of a loved one is very hard and painfully stressful as I plan her funeral. We want to honor our mother by carrying out what we had planned for her 9 years ago which included her desire to hold the vigil and funeral services in your memorial park in North Hollywood. On April 27 I went to the funeral home in North Hollywood and spoke to Fid and later to Bernie on the phone. They both informed me that Pierce Brothers Valhalla’s reception area continues to stay closed due to COVID19. I asked that Christina, the funeral home manager to call me so we can discuss the closure and possible other arrangements. I attempted to contact Christina since Wednesday, April 27, however as of today, May 1, she has not returned my call. I find this lack of response unprofessional and insensitive as a manager of a funeral home. It should be part of her duty to return calls within a timely manner.

After calling other mortuaries within the Dignity group, 2-10 miles from Pierce Brothers Valhalla, I was informed that their reception areas are now opened. Why is Pierce Brothers Valhalla not offering their reception area while all the others in the area are open for their families. Due to Pierce Brothers Valhalla’s lack of response to my family’s needs, I decided to have the funeral arrangements at another mortuary within Dignity. However, they are charging me an additional fee for the reception room as it was not part of the original contract due to the fact the way the contract was written. My understanding at the time of signing the contract, the reception room was part of the facilities, therefore not listed separately. Pierce Brothers Valhalla should cover this additional fee as result of the inconvenience that our family is now experiencing due to their closed status. I strongly believe that Pierce Brothers Valhalla Memorial Park has the responsibility of covering additional fees for services paid for that they’re not able to render. I reached out to your office at 800.Dignity but I was told this matter needs to be resolved with the mortuary. There needs to be a department overlooking these facilities to oversee that the funeral home abides with the services listed in the contract. Dignity Memorial has the obligation to settle this matter based on...

I want to commend your outstanding staff members, Ms. Darakjian, Funeral Arranger, and Ms. Nolasco, Family Service Counselor.

During the recent arrangements for my beloved mother, who passed away at the remarkable age of 102, Ms. Darakjian and Ms. Nolasco guided me through one of the most difficult times of my life with remarkable professionalism, empathy, and care.

Ms. Darakjian's support was exceptional. She was patient, kind, and attentive as I worked through countless questions and last-minute details. When unexpected obstacles arose in securing a church, she reassured me that we would find a solution, and she kept that promise. Her compassion and calm presence helped me navigate the emotional challenges of planning my mother’s final journey. Even when I misunderstood the slideshow request for the viewing, Ms. Darakjian promptly and graciously corrected it—reloading additional photos without hesitation. The viewing staff, under her direction, adjusted every detail to perfection, from changing tablecloths to ensuring the setting honored my mother’s memory. She ensured that every detail of my mother's clothing was perfect. She allowed me to place additional sentimental items with her, in addition to helping with the last minute hair and make up touches and my mother looked beautiful. The attendants who transported my mother to the church were equally courteous and professional. At the cemetery they patiently waited until all guests, including the mariachi, had arrived and followed each of my specific requests for my mother's final walk for her blessing at the mausoleum.

Ms. Nolasco’s dedication was equally noteworthy. From our first meeting, she answered every question and offered steady support. She met with me beforehand to confirm and identify my parents’ mausoleum and took thoughtful steps to provide shade and reserve the area for the mariachi, just as I requested. When we met again to design my parents’ plaque, Ms. Nolasco carefully ensured that my parents’ love story was beautifully reflected.

To say that Ms. Darakjian and Ms. Nolasco were my guardian angels is an understatement. Their professionalism, empathy, and personal attention went far beyond what I expected. They truly held my hand through every step of this difficult process.

Please extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to them, and the entire staff for their exceptional service and heartfelt care. Their dedication honors your organization and brought immeasurable comfort to my family.

Everyone who attended my mother's services noticed the thoughtful care each and every person of your...