Ronald Moy has spent more than twenty years serving the people of Escondido, California, as a funeral director known for his compassion, precision, and calm leadership.

Born and raised in the same community, his path into the profession began early, sweeping floors at his grandfather’s small mortuary. Those quiet lessons in empathy and respect shaped the way he approaches his work today.

After earning a degree in psychology from California State University San Marcos, with a minor in communications, Ronald completed a mortuary science certificate programme. The mix of emotional understanding and technical skill became the foundation of his career.

In 2008, he opened his own firm, built on three principles: empathy first, attention to detail, and integrity above all. Families trust him to create services that truly reflect a life, not a routine. His innovations include personalised memory galleries, multilingual grief guides, and monthly support circles that give people space to share their experiences of loss.

Beyond his day-to-day role, Ronald Moy mentors mortuary science students and teaches grief communication at the local community college. At home, he’s a husband, father, gardener, and woodworker. To Ronald, success isn’t measured in numbers but in the quiet gratitude of a family who felt understood. His approach has made him one of Escondido’s most trusted voices in compassionate care.

Q: Ronald, how did your journey into funeral service begin?

A: It started long before I trained professionally. I grew up in Escondido, and my grandfather owned a small mortuary. As a child, I’d sweep floors and watch him comfort families. Those early moments taught me that kindness could bring a sense of peace. I never forgot that feeling.

Q: You’ve now spent over two decades in this work. What has changed most during that time?

A: Expectations have evolved. Families want services that feel personal rather than formal or scripted. They want to see a life represented — not just the ceremony. I’ve learned to listen carefully and adapt, whether that means including cultural traditions or creating visual memory galleries that tell a story.

Q: What led you to open your own funeral service?

A: After several years working in local mortuaries, I realised there was room for something more community-centred. I wanted families to feel supported, not sold to. So, in 2008, I opened my own firm based on empathy, transparency, and respect. I handle every detail personally because families deserve that level of care.

Q: How do you maintain empathy when dealing with loss every day?

A: That’s the hardest and most important part of the job. I remind myself that for each family, this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Gardening and woodworking help me unwind. Teaching grief communication also gives me perspective — reminding others, and myself, that grief has many shapes.

Q: You’ve introduced grief circles and multilingual guides. What inspired those ideas?

A: Escondido is a diverse city. Many families were struggling to find grief support that spoke their language or culture. The circles began as small gatherings, and they grew naturally. People wanted connection. The guides came later — short, simple pamphlets in several languages explaining what grief can look like. Inclusion matters.

Q: What lessons do you share with the students you mentor?

A: I tell them that technical skill is important, but listening is essential. Anyone can learn the procedures; not everyone can sit with silence and empathy. It’s a balance between professionalism and humanity. When a student understands that, I know they’ll do well.

Q: What role does community play in your work today?

A: It’s everything. Funerals are about people coming together, but that sense of care shouldn’t stop after the service. I volunteer at community centres and speak at local events because I believe grief is everyone’s responsibility — not just mine as a funeral director.

Q: Looking ahead, how do you see your field changing?

A: We’ll continue to see more personalisation, and hopefully, more mental-health awareness. The pandemic made people talk more openly about loss, which I see as progress. Technology will play a role, but empathy will always matter more than tools.

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering this profession?

A: Enter it for the right reason — to help people. It’s not glamorous, but it’s deeply meaningful. If you can lead with heart and handle details with care, you’ll find it incredibly rewarding.

Q: And finally, what does success mean to you?

A: For me, success is when a family says, “You made this easier for us.” That’s it. Every thank-you note, every handshake — that’s what keeps me going after all these years.

Read more:
In Conversation with Ronald Moy: Compassion, Craft, and Community