Our Staff

Salazar Funeral Homes & Crematory

We are honored to serve you!

Louis V. Salazar

Owner and Funeral Director

Louis is a fourth-generation funeral director and a life-long New Mexican who can eat red chile cheese enchiladas every day!  

He and Gloria have been married 37 years.  When Louis isn't with Gloria, he is training for triathlons with the desire to compete in the Iron Man Triathlon in Hawaii before he turns 70.

Although he looks most like his mother, families comment on how much he is like his father, the late Lester E. Salazar.  He inherited his father's humor but most of all, he inherited his ability to be an exceptional funeral director.

Gloria Montoya Salazar

Owner and Funeral Director

Gloria became a funeral director in 2011 but she began her working career as a mechanical engineer.  She enjoys the challenge of managing two funeral homes and a crematory and loves meeting with families.

When she's not at the funeral homes, you can be sure she is home planning another adventure since Louis and Gloria love traveling in their spare time.

Mayra Gonzalez Culp

Funeral Director

Mayra is a Funeral Director who came to us from the state of Mississippi in 2021.  She is originally from Stockton, California.  She is married and has one daughter.

When she's not working, Mayra loves to see her daughter dance.  She also enjoys our New Mexican cuisine and our wonderful weather.

We are grateful to have her assisting families during these difficult times. 

Catherine Urtiaga-Geisseler

Office Manager

Catherine has been with Salazar Funeral Homes & Crematory since 2017.

Catherine holds a Funeral Service Intern license for embalming, arranging, and directing and has begun her journey to become a Licensed Funeral Director.

Catherine takes great pride in caring for each and every loved one as if they were her own.

Lucien Daigle

Prearrangement Specialist

Lucien is a life-long New Mexican. He loves meeting families that want to plan their funerals in advance.

Patrick Lopez

Funeral Service Intern

Patrick has held a Funeral Service Intern license for embalming for almost 4 years.

He is a vital part of our Funeral Ambassadors.

Patrick is honored to serve our families.

Jack Jaramillo, Jr.

Funeral Ambassador

Jack has wanted to be a Funeral Ambassador since the age of 7.

Salazar Funeral Homes & Crematory is honored to have such a caring and compassionate individual assisting our families. 

Helen Jaramillo

Funeral Ambassador

Helen and Louis graduated from Albuquerque High School just a few years (?) ago.  She loves assisting families during this tough time of mourning.

Jaron Schmitz

Funeral Ambassador

If ever you've had the honor of being greeted by Jaron, you'll immediately be impressed with this warm soul of a man who loves his bow ties.

Michael Geisseler

Funeral Service Ambassador

Michael has a job outside of the funeral home so we are privileged to have him when he is assisting families with funerals.

Stephanie Schmitz

Plant Whisperer

If you've ever noticed the abundance of LIVE plants at both our facilities, we all can thank Stephanie.