About Us

Who we are

Celebrating life since 1897

As a proud member of the Escondido community since 1897, we're honored to help families celebrate their loved ones. We pledge to ensure that every funeral and memorial service is deeply personal, fostering healing and remembrance.

What we stand for

Our promise

Today, tomorrow, and forever, our commitment to you stays the same.

Dignity

Every life is unique, and we promise to honor and respect each journey, crafting ceremonies that reflect each individual.

Guidance

Navigating grief can be overwhelming; we stand by you, providing direction and solace every step of the way.

Legacy

Beyond a service, we're committed to helping families create lasting tributes that transcend generations.

History & Legacy

Alhiser-Comer Mortuary is a part of Escondido History as the city’s oldest continually operating business and the oldest operating family-owned Funeral Home in San Diego County. With undertaking advertisements dating back to 1893, our early forefathers began a legacy of funeral service tradition and excellence and a spirit that continues on today.

20K+

Legacies Honored

128

Years in Business

∞

Moments Remembered

rEAD OUR

Our Story

Over 100 Years of Service

In the 1890’s, J.H. Sampson opened an undertaking parlor and livery in Escondido on Grand Avenue. He used a casson (or horse-drawn funeral carriage) to transport the deceased. The dignified trip to the cemetery was complete with top-hatted driver and a team of jet-black horses.

Frank G. Thompson bought Sampson out shortly after the turn of the century. And built a new parlor with rooms dedicated to undertaking on South Lime Street (now Broadway) and Iowa Street (now 3rd Ave). He operated the business under the name F.G. Thompson Funeral Director. Mr. Thompson and his family successfully ran the business until it was sold to Halleck ‘HAL’ F. Johnson from Riverside, who operated under the name Hal F. Johnson Funeral Director in the latter half of the 1920’s and under the name The Johnson Funeral Chapel in the 1930’s.

Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Seale of Fullerton took over operations for a brief three-month period from March 1936 thru July 1936. They ran a few advertisements in the local paper under the name Johnson-Seale Mortuary. This is all we know about their abrupt entrance and departure.

In July of 1936, a former Escondido resident returned to buy the parlor from the Seale family. Thus entered the now legendary name of C.B. Alhiser into the history of the mortuary. Clovis B. Alhiser and his wife operated under the name Alhiser Mortuary for twelve years until 1948, but the Alhiser name became a piece of Escondido History, still gracing our building today.

In September 1948, Ralph L. Wilson of Long Beach purchased the mortuary and changed the name to Alhiser-Wilson Mortuary. The Wilson Family doubled the floorspace, created new parking by moving the home that was located on the corner of Broadway and Third to its current place in back of the mortuary. Sharon Disney (formerly Sharon Wilson) took charge of the business for many years and was very well known in the community. Sharon continued the tradition of family run funeral service and brought the mortuary to its full potential.

In 1989, Bill Comer and his son, Stuart Comer, who resided in Escondido purchased Alhiser-Comer Mortuary. As a local resident, Mr. Comer was sensitive to the community and had vested interest in its energy and vitality. Mr. Comer refurbished and updated the building in the early 1990's. In 2000, the name was changed to Alhiser-Comer Mortuary, after 11 years of ownership by the Comer family. Stuart maintained our forefather’s legacy of innovation, style, and commitment to serving our families with dignity and compassion.

In 2001, Stuart Comer opened Lakepointe Crematorium in Lake Elsinore, where licensed Alhiser-Comer Mortuary personnel perform all our cremations. The state of the art facility is clean and operated above and beyond the legal requirements of state regulations. All families are welcome to inspect our facilities or witness the cremation of their loved one in our special family area, complete with the comforts of home. This is in keeping with our tradition of handling each and every aspect of premiere service here by our staff. We will not use alternate providers and we are with you every step of the way. We are the last loving hands.

In 2013, Megan Comer became the manager of the Mortuary. Megan is a third-generation funeral director. With Megan at the helm, Alhiser-Comer Mortuary became corporate sponsors of Palomar Medical Center. They donated a room to the new hospital that is considered the “family viewing room” – a place for families to see their loved ones once they’ve passed. In 2017, Megan, her sister Nicole and the staff at Alhiser-Comer Mortuary were honored to receive the Escondido Chamber of Commerce Award for Family Owned Business of the Year, along with local and congressional recognition. Megan began another renovation on the mortuary, which including adding a reception room and new restrooms to better serve families, their needs and to bring the building up-to-date, while keeping its integrity.

Stuart Comer passed away in July of 2018, after 30 years of ownership, leaving Megan Comer as sole owner and operator of the mortuary.

In 2021, Megan Comer was one of 4 Funeral Directors to be featured in American Funeral Director Magazine, from across the Nation, highlighting her response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Megan was also honored as a 2021 Finalist in the San Diego Business Journal's Top 40 Business Leaders Under 40 and named in the 2021 Class of San Diego Metro Magazine's 40 Under 40, as well. In September 2021, Megan became a Board Member for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater San Diego and the mortuary became a Life Changer Sponsor. In April 2022, Megan was featured as a Woman of Distinction in San Diego Woman Magazine. In June of 2022, Megan was nominated for a Leadership Award with the North County Business Chamber. In July 2022, for the second year in a row, Megan was honored as a Finalist in the San Diego Business Journal's Top 40 Business Leaders Under 40.

Megan and her sister, Nicole are honored to continue their father and grandfather’s legacies and commitment to the community of Escondido.

Meet the team

Our incredible staff

Helping families create lasting legacies is more than a job — it's our calling. We are here to support you in any way we can and will offer you the full attention, knowledge, and compassion you need.

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Megan Comer

President

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Nicole Comer-Postma

Funeral Director

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Monica Castellanos

Funeral Director - Bilingual

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Jodi Ann Nelson

Funeral Arranger

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Thomas Henderson

Embalmer

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David Peters

Crematory Operator/Funeral Arranger

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Lorraine Brogan

Aftercare and Preplanning Specialist

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Alison Scott

Funeral Director

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Nathaniel Eads

Funeral Service Director

Andrea Mota

Funeral Service Director

Ashley Gurrola

Funeral Service Director

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Honoring Excellence

Associations & Awards

We’re honored to be recognized for our dedication to excellence and genuine care. Explore the esteemed associations we're a part of, and the awards that celebrate our commitment to the communities we serve.

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Our Location

A place of healing

We welcome you to explore the Alhiser - Comer Mortuary facilities, and invite you to discover a comforting and peaceful place to honor your loved one.

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We're here for you

A time to honor, comfort and heal

We help create unique and meaningful memorial services to celebrate your loved one and begin the healing process for families and friends left behind.

We’ll take care of every detail

We'll help you with everything you need with a simple step-by-step process for all of your funeral, cremation and cemetery plans.

Unique Funerals and Tributes

Every individual is unique. Which is why we offer fully customizable memorial services designed just for your family.

Compassionate customer care

We're here to answer any questions and help in any way we can – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

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Past memorials

“Everyone who worked there was so nice. Monica was so sweet and helpful. the place was beautiful thank you so much”
Author: Olivia Turpin rated with 5 stars

“Monica was always responsive to our questions and respectful of our requests. I highly recommend Alhiser-Comer for your loved one.”
Author: Alyssa Ruelas rated with 5 stars

“Everything went so well for my dad’s celebration of life. Monica was so helpful and helped the hard day go very smoothly. I’m so glad we chose here for the beautiful and clean chapel room, reception area, and staff. Highly recommend.”
Author: Ashley Chandler rated with 5 stars

“Megan at Alhiser-Comer was wonderful to work with. I’m a Funeral Director in Texas and needed help with a permit and she made it so easy and helped me tremendously!! Highly recommend!!!”
Author: Brittany Sims rated with 5 stars

“They were so caring , so efficient, on top of everything and so kind. We planned with them in 2006 and recently had to use their service. So glad we did that. I can’t say enough good things about them.”
Author: Maryanne Culkin rated with 5 stars

“They were all very cordial and polite. Easy to work and very plesant. Glad I chose Alhiser-Comer Mortuary. Thank you, Ralph T. Taylor”
Author: Ralph Taylor rated with 5 stars

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Careers

We're hiring

Beyond the opportunity to truly make a difference, Alhiser - Comer Mortuary offers competitive pay, a healthy work-life balance, and many opportunities for growth.

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Plan Ahead

Plan for the future, today

Pre-planning lets your loved ones focus on honoring life instead of hashing out details. Learn the choices you can make now, so a future funeral becomes more of a celebration than a burden.

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About Us

Celebrating life since 1897

Our promise

Dignity

Guidance

Legacy

History & Legacy

Our Story

Our incredible staff

Associations & Awards

A place of healing

A time to honor, comfort and heal

We’ll take care of every detail

Unique Funerals and Tributes

Compassionate customer care

We're hiring

Related links

Funerals & Cremation

Our Crematory

Grief Support

Plan for the future, today