When you’re driving down Caldwell Avenue in Visalia, you might pass a building that looks more like a grand, welcoming estate than a place of mourning. That’s the thing about Salser & Dillard Funeral Home. People in the Central Valley often have these preconceived notions about what a "mortuary" should feel like—stuffy, dark, maybe a little intimidating. But the reality of this local staple is actually pretty different.
Honestly, funeral planning is probably the last thing anyone wants to think about on a Tuesday afternoon. But if you’ve lived in Tulare County for a while, you’ve likely heard the name. Since 2003, Steve Dillard and his team have basically redefined how the "business of death" works in this corner of California. It’s not just about the mahogany caskets and the quiet rooms. It’s about being the only locally owned and family-operated funeral home left in a city that’s increasingly seeing corporate chains take over the industry.
The Steve Dillard Story (It Started with Car Washing)
Steve Dillard didn't just wake up one day and decide to own a funeral home. He’s been in this game for over 40 years. Most people don't know he started out at 14 years old washing cars at Peoples Funeral Chapel in Hanford. Imagine that. A teenager spending his weekends making sure hearses were spotless.
That’s where the "family" part of the business comes from. Steve eventually went to the Cypress College of Mortuary Science, snagged the Ma Green Outstanding Student Award, and worked his way through various corporate-owned homes before deciding he’d had enough of that style. In 2001, he teamed up with Jeff Salser to start something from the ground up.
They opened the doors in 2003. Since then, the partnership changed (Salser is no longer with the firm), but the name stuck because of the reputation they built together. It’s a classic Central Valley success story, built on deep roots in Hanford and Visalia.
Why Salser & Dillard Funeral Home Actually Matters
You might wonder why it matters if a funeral home is locally owned. Isn't a service just a service? Not really. When a corporate giant owns a mortuary, the profits leave the valley. When you deal with Salser & Dillard, you’re dealing with people who shop at the same Save Mart as you.
The Tech You Didn't Expect
Back in 2006, they did something kind of radical. They installed a high-tech crematory that was actually the first of its kind in the United States. While most homes were still doing things the old-fashioned way, they invested in European technology from Facultatieve Technologies.
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It sounds technical, but here is why it matters to a grieving family:
- Environmental impact: It has emissions controls that most older units lack.
- Dignity: The automation means the body isn't "re-positioned" during the process, which is a common but rarely discussed practice in the industry.
- Peace of mind: Your loved one never leaves their care. They aren't being shipped off to a third-party crematory in another county.
Facilities that Don't Feel Like a Hospital
The Visalia chapel on Caldwell seats 240 people. That’s huge for this area. They also have those smaller visitation rooms that are designed to feel like a living room. Most families use them like their own homes during the wake. It’s sort of the difference between a cold reception hall and a friend’s parlor.
Let’s Talk About the Money (The Real Numbers)
Nobody likes talking about the cost, but let’s be real—it’s the first thing everyone Googles. Funeral costs are notoriously opaque, but Salser & Dillard is generally known for being middle-of-the-road in terms of pricing for the area.
A full traditional burial service here usually hovers around $6,900 to $7,500 depending on the casket choice. For comparison, a direct cremation is significantly less, often starting around $1,725. These aren't the absolute cheapest prices in Tulare County—you can find "budget" cremation storefronts—but you aren't paying the $10,000+ premiums often found at some of the older, corporate-backed institutions.
What Most People Get Wrong About Modern Funerals
There is this myth that you have to choose between a "traditional" funeral and "just cremation." Salser & Dillard has kind of leaned into the "Life Tributes" idea. They do these cinematic videos where they blend family photos with professional music. It’s a bit of a cliché to say "it's a celebration of life," but they actually put the production value behind it.
They also do live webcasting. This became a big deal around 2020, but they were actually early adopters. If you have family in the Philippines, Mexico, or even just the East Coast who can't make the drive to Visalia, they can watch the service live. It’s a small detail that makes a massive difference for modern, spread-out families.
Practical Steps If You’re Navigating This Now
If you are currently in the position of having to make arrangements, here is the "no-nonsense" checklist for dealing with a provider like Salser & Dillard:
1. Ask about the "General Price List" (GPL)
Federal law says they have to give this to you. Don't feel awkward asking for it before you sit down for a formal "arrangement conference." It lists every single fee, from the hearse to the "professional services of director."
2. Decide on the "Viewing"
Salser & Dillard is big on "Healing Experiences." They advocate for a viewing because they believe it helps with closure. However, if that’s not for you, you can opt for a "Direct" service which cuts out the embalming and visitation costs entirely.
3. Check the "Creighton Chapel" connection
If you are in Kingsburg, they own the Creighton Memorial Chapel there too. It’s the same family-owned management, just a different historic location.
4. The "Personalized Printing" trap
Every funeral home offers programs. Salser & Dillard does "Life Tributes" bookmarks and folders. They are beautiful, but they add up. If you're on a tight budget, you can actually design your own programs and have them printed locally, though most families find the convenience of the funeral home doing it worth the extra $150 or so.
5. Veterans Benefits
Since they are a local staple, they are very well-versed in the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery protocols. If your loved one was a veteran, make sure you bring the DD-214 form to your first meeting. They’ll handle the honors, the flag, and the coordination with the VA.
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At the end of the day, Salser & Dillard Funeral Home exists in that space between old-school tradition and new-age technology. They aren't just a building where services happen; they are a part of the Visalia infrastructure. Whether you’re pre-planning to save your kids the headache later or you’re in the middle of a sudden crisis, the move here is to be direct about your budget and your expectations. They’ve seen it all, and they’ve heard every question.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Request a Pre-Planning Guide: If you aren't in an immediate crisis, call their office at (559) 635-1144 and ask for their pre-arrangement packet. It lets you lock in today's prices against future inflation.
- Compare the GPL: Take their General Price List and compare it against one other local home. You’ll likely find that while the "Basic Service Fee" varies, the total package at Salser & Dillard is competitive because they own their own crematory.
- Visit the Caldwell Location: Don't wait for a funeral. Drive by, look at the facility, and see if the "vibe" matches what you want for your family's legacy. It’s much easier to decide when you aren't under the pressure of a 48-hour timeline.