Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Funeral Service Provider in Santa Ana
Brown Colonial Mortuary has been a trusted name in funeral services since our founding in 1927. Established by Harold R. Brown after his return from World War I, we began as Harrell & Brown and evolved through key partnerships, including with Emil Wagner, to create a modern facility in 1937. Our dedication to quality service spans nearly a century, reflecting deep expertise in crafting personalized tributes that honor lives and support grieving families. As a family-owned and operated business, we combine tradition with adaptability, offering comprehensive services such as traditional funerals, cremation options, veterans honors, and pre-arrangements.Our 200-seat chapel and on-site viewing rooms provide flexible spaces for meaningful memorials. We emphasize transparency, avoiding hidden fees, and maintain active community ties through partnerships with local organizations. Our leadership team brings decades of combined experience, ensuring every family receives compassionate, professional guidance. We operate with integrity, prioritizing clear communication and ethical practices to build lasting trust.
Services
Traditional Services
Cremation Services
Pre-Arrangements
Veterans Honors
Grief Support
Details
- Year established: 1927
Highlights and features
- We offer over 95 years of experience in personalized funeral services.
- Our team includes licensed professionals fluent in Spanish for local families.
- We provide veterans military honors and tailored pre-arrangement planning.
- Our chapel accommodates up to 200 guests for dignified memorials.
- We offer 24/7 support and grief resources for lasting family care.
Services
Traditional Services
We offer customizable traditional funeral services that honor individual preferences. Families may include viewings, chapel or graveside ceremonies, and personalized elements to reflect the deceased's life. Our team coordinates all logistics, from clergy coordination to cemetery arrangements, ensuring seamless execution. We provide caskets, urns, and burial vaults in our facility.
Cremation Services
Cremation services include rental caskets for viewings and a selection of alternative containers. We offer temporary storage and multiple urn options for permanent placement. Families receive guidance on scattering regulations and memorial options, including partnerships with cremation-choice.com for expanded product selection.
Pre-Arrangements
We facilitate pre-planning to document personal wishes and reduce family burdens. Services include customizable arrangements with payment plans to lock in current pricing. Consultations can occur at home, with secure storage of documentation to ensure final wishes are honored without financial strain on loved ones.
Veterans Honors
Our experts coordinate full military honors, including flag presentation and 'Taps' performance by a 2+ member honor guard. We verify veteran eligibility using DD Form 214 and handle VA reimbursement applications. Services include standard or full honors based on service history and family preferences.
Grief Support
We provide year-long daily grief support via email and curate resources from trusted partners. Services include referrals to online support groups, educational materials on coping strategies, and guidance for navigating bereavement. Our staff maintains ongoing contact with families post-service.
People
Gerran W. Brown
Funeral Director
Gerran W. Brown, a licensed funeral director and pre-need insurance specialist, brings peace corps experience and fluency in Spanish to serve Santa Ana's growing Spanish-speaking community. He focuses on personalized service and attention to detail.
Paul Carrillo
Manager
Paul Carrillo, a dedicated funeral director since 1975, became manager in 2000. With deep local knowledge and 25+ years of service at Brown Colonial Mortuary, he combines operational expertise with compassionate family care.
Karla Serrano
Funeral Director
Licensed funeral director and embalmer Karla Serrano oversees all preparation processes with meticulous care. As a Spanish speaker, she provides culturally sensitive services while maintaining high technical standards in all memorial arrangements.
Questions
Why should I plan a funeral if cremation is chosen?
Funerals provide closure regardless of disposition method. We offer flexible services before or after cremation, including memorial ceremonies with the urn present.
What documents are needed when a death occurs?
Bring birth date, place, parents' names, SSN, veteran status, education, and marital status. We'll help complete death certificates and file benefits paperwork.
Can cremated remains be buried with a spouse?
Yes, many cemeteries allow interring cremains in existing plots, either above casketed remains or in designated spaces per cemetery policies.
Is embalming required by law?
No, embalming is only necessary for specific arrangements like public viewings. Direct cremation or immediate burial options don't require embalming services.
What financial assistance options exist?
We help families access VA benefits, Social Security death benefits, state funds, and life insurance policies. Local charities may also provide funeral expense assistance.
Do you offer 24/7 service availability?
Yes, our team responds immediately when needed, or accommodates family preferences for delayed arrangements while maintaining professional support at all times.
