It’s not every 17-year-old’s goal to work in the funeral services industry, but Gisselle Garcia-Diaz’s first job at a funeral home in high school paved the way for her career as a funeral director. In June, she joined the team at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Cemetery and Mausoleum (forestlawnomaha.com) and became the first English-Spanish bi-lingual funeral director at the organization.
“Families experiencing a loss are going through a tough time. Finding someone you feel comfortable with is important. It is rewarding to be that person,” she said. Her skills and experience as a funeral director are key to her ability to help bring clarity and truth during their time of loss and subsequent grief journey.
Her ability to speak Spanish is also a great source of support for families. Garcia-Diaz has responded to calls seeking a Spanish speaker to help a family to navigate their loss, and worked with foreign consulates to facilitate the process of repatriating remains.
Garcia-Diaz earned an associate’s degree in liberal arts with an emphasis in science from MCC in Omaha before completing her funeral director’s degree from the Des Moines Area Community College of Mortuary Science.
For more information about Forest Lawn, or to reach Gisselle Garcia Diaz, please contact (402) 451-1000 or flc@forestlawnomaha.com. Forest Lawn is located at 7909 Mormon Bridge Road in Omaha.