When you're driving down North Sanborn Road in Salinas, it’s hard to miss the building at 405. It has been there forever. Well, since 1956, actually. Healey Mortuary Salinas California is one of those local landmarks that everyone knows but nobody really wants to talk about until they absolutely have to. Honestly, it’s just the nature of the business.
Death is awkward. Planning a funeral is even worse. But for the folks in the Salinas Valley, this place has been the go-to for generations. It started out as the Salinas Valley Mortuary, founded by Herb and Joyce Healey. Herb was a WWII vet—a paratrooper, actually—and he had this "can-do" vibe that basically built the foundation of the place. Later on, his son David Healey took over and ran it for 41 years.
David recently passed away in early 2025, which was a huge hit to the community because he was such a staple in local circles. Even though the ownership changed a few years back when it joined the Foundation Partners Group, the name on the sign hasn't changed.
What Really Happens Inside Healey Mortuary
Most people think a mortuary is just a place with fancy carpets and a quiet chapel. It’s way more than that. At Healey, they handle the heavy lifting that most of us can't even wrap our heads around when we're grieving.
They do the standard stuff: traditional burials, viewings, and graveside services. But they’ve leaned heavily into cremation lately. It’s a trend across California, mostly because it’s cheaper and feels less "heavy" to some families. They even have this thing called the ShareLife experience. It’s basically a way to make a funeral feel less like a bummer and more like a tribute. They use videos, specific scents, and music to recreate the "vibe" of the person who passed.
The Real Cost of Saying Goodbye
Let's talk money. It’s the part everyone Googles but nobody wants to ask out loud.
Prices in Salinas vary wildly. You might see a direct cremation for around $1,400 if you’re shopping around, but a full-service funeral can easily climb toward $5,000 or $10,000 once you add the casket and the cemetery fees. Healey is generally considered the "premier" spot in town, so they aren't the bargain-bin option. You’re paying for the facility and the staff who know how to navigate the paperwork.
- Basic Services: Usually starts around $790 for the director’s overhead.
- Embalming: Roughly $365.
- Casket: These can be $1,500 on the low end or "sky is the limit" if you want something fancy.
- Transportation: Expect a few hundred for the hearse and the initial pick-up.
It adds up. Fast.
Why the Location Matters
Being on Sanborn Road isn't accidental. Healey Mortuary Salinas California sits right in the heart of a very diverse community. They do a lot of multicultural funerals. If you need a ritual washing or a specific religious service, they usually know the drill. They also have staff who speak Spanish, which is non-negotiable in Salinas.
One thing people often get wrong is thinking they have to use the mortuary closest to them. You don't. But in a place like Salinas, where family ties are deep, people tend to stick with where their grandparents were handled. There’s a comfort in that.
Sustainability and the "New" Funeral
Here is something kinda surprising: they actually care about their carbon footprint.
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For every cremation they perform, they buy carbon offsets. It sounds like a marketing gimmick, but in 2026, people actually care about this stuff. The "green burial" movement is growing, and while most people still go the traditional route, the fact that a legacy mortuary in a farm town is thinking about sustainability is pretty interesting.
Practical Steps for Families in Salinas
If you find yourself needing to call them, don't just wing it.
- Check the paperwork: Find out if your loved one had a pre-arranged plan. David Healey was big on pre-planning, so there’s a good chance a file already exists.
- Ask for the General Price List (GPL): By law, they have to give this to you. Look at it before you start picking out flowers.
- Decide on the "Vibe": Do you want a traditional Catholic mass or a "Celebration of Life" with a taco truck? Salinas allows for both, and Healey has the space for it.
- Veterans benefits: Since Herb Healey was a vet, the staff is usually pretty sharp about helping families get their VA burial benefits. Don't leave that money on the table.
The Reality of Grief Support
They aren't just there for the day of the service. They offer grief support resources and help with the legal headache of death certificates. Honestly, the paperwork is the part that breaks most people. Having someone else deal with the county records is worth the "professional services" fee alone.
The mortuary is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, but they have a 24/7 answering service. If someone passes away at 2:00 am, you call, and they show up. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.
Actionable Insight:
If you are starting the planning process, your first move should be to request the General Price List (GPL) via email before you even step foot in the building. This allows you to compare costs for "Direct Burial" versus "Traditional Service" without the emotional pressure of being in a viewing room. Once you have the numbers, call to schedule a "Pre-Planning Consultation" to lock in current rates and save your family from making these decisions during a crisis.