We have years of experience caring for families from all walks of life, cultures and faiths. Our unsurpassed staff and our family provide kind, caring, professional service. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession who are dedicated to excellence in service, adhere to the highest funeral industry standards, and have exceptional integrity. We consistently earn phenomenally high customer satisfaction survey results.
Our licensed, professional staff is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please call 505-984-8600 anytime. We will even come to you to make arrangements in the comfort of your home.
Prompt, compassionate service is always just a phone call away, where and when you need it.
President Emeritus / Licensed Funeral Service Practioner
Rick Berardinelli, a lifelong resident of Santa Fe, served as our company President until early in 2016 and now works primarily in a public relations role. He has been affiliated with the Berardinelli firm since 1975. Rick attended Los Niños Kindergarten, Wood Gormley Elementary School, Harrington Junior High, the University of New Mexico, and Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute, where he earned an Associate of Arts in Culinary Arts as a Sous Chef. He worked in that capacity for three years then attended the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science in 1975.
Over the years he has held the positions of Vice President, President, CEO and Funeral Service Consultant. Rick has earned the credentials of Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP), a result of many years of education and activities related to his profession. Professionally, he has served as a member and chairman of the New Mexico Board of Thanatopractice, as a board member and president of the New Mexico Funeral Service Association, as a member and lecturer with the National Funeral Directors Association, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Office of the Medical Investigator for the State of New Mexico.
His community work has included serving as President of the Santa Fe Fiesta Council, President of the Santa Fe Fiesta Foundation, board member of the Santa Fe County Chamber of Commerce, board member of the Bank of Santa Fe (now Wells Fargo), Open Hands, Montezuma Lodge #1 A.F. & A.M., the City of Santa Fe Historic Design Review Board, City Personnel Board, City Parks and Recreation Commission, the Santa Fe Community Housing Trust, Bienvenidos Outreach and as a board member, Past President and current member of the Santa Fe Rotary Club. He is a member of La Union Protectiva in Santa Fe. He was instrumental in the creation of Gerard's House for grieving children and is a current member of their board. He is also currently serving on the boards of the Santa Fe County Chamber of Commerce and Coming Home Connection.
Licensed Funeral Service Practitioner / Certified Crematory Operator / Pre Need Counselor
Gerald was born in Santa Fe at the “Old St. Vincent’s.” He is the son of the late Eliseo and Paula Rodriguez, also lifelong residents and world renound artists.
Gerald attended Cristo Rey School then went on to Santa Fe High School. He attended Highland University, Santa Fe Community College and The Amarillo College of Mortuary Science, where he earned his degree in Funeral Science.
Gerald was a Firefighter –Paramedic with the Santa Fe Fire Dept. from 1980 until his retirement in 1999.
His love for Funeral service and wanting to be of service to the folks of Santa Fe began at an early age. In 1972 at the age of 14, Gerald came to work at Berardinelli Mortuary under the tutelage of Robert Berardinelli, the founder of Berardinelli Mortuary. Even while working at the Santa Fe Fire Dept., Gerald “Helped out” on his days off at Berardinelli Mortuary.
After his retirement from SFFD, he has continued to work here at Berardinelli’s as a Funeral Director and Embalmer. He is still very passionate about being able to be of humble service to the people of Santa Fe, Pecos, Pojoaque, and Nambe’.
He is a member of the Perpetual Adoration Society at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Santa Fe, and a member of the choir at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nambe’. He is a member of the Pilgrimage for Vocations
Gerald likes to garden and play drums.
Funeral Service Intern
Christy was born and raised in Tennessee, in the 90’s she
moved with her family to Albuquerque where she attended Madison Middle
School and then Manzano High School. In 1999 she moved back to Tennessee with
her family.
She spent the next 14 years in restaurant management and
then warehousing for 5 years after that. In May of 2019 she returned to New
Mexico with her husband and daughters, this time landing in Santa Fe. She
worked a couple of odd jobs when she first got here but in October of 2019 she
found her passion serving families.
She takes great pride in what she does and really loves
serving the families and the community of Santa Fe.
Office Administrator
With over 18 years working with the public in some way or another, Danielle has fine-tuned her public relations skills making her transition from Ambassador and Receptionist to Office Administrator easy. She has been part of the Berardinelli Family for over 4 years and enjoys what she does.
Having three children, she has become an active part of our community. She was a former board member of the Santa Fe National Little League, and an active member of Communities In Schools She also tutors reading and language arts at Nava Elementary, and is a "team mom" for numerous teams her children are on. On top of all of this she is a supporter of First Serve New Mexico, and the Santa Fe Humane Society.
Ambassador
Carmela Aldeis has worked for Berardinelli Family Funeral Service for 11 years. She was born and raised in Santa Fe and comes from a big family. She is a graduate of St. Catherine's Indian School and attended Highlands University. Carmela is well known for her excellent customer service and impeccable attention to detail. She is deeply involved in the community and has coached volleyball, basketball, and softball at the Santa Fe Indian School. In addition to her coaching, she volunteers at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis. She is on the altar society, a member of La Conquistadora and she serves as a Eucharistic minister. She also takes the time to visit patients at St. Vincent’s Hospital and administers communion to patients who are unable to attend mass. If you ask her what her biggest pride and joy is she will always answer with a wide smile and say it is her 92 year old roommate who also happens to her mother, Anita. Carmela is extremely close with her mother and she is always proud to tell people that her mother is everything that she lives for.
Telephone: 1-505-984-8600
Ambassador
Amanda “Goldie” Chavez is easy going and personable; her ability to put people at ease in a time of grief is unparalleled. She is always willing to go the extra mile for the many families that we provide services for at Berardinelli Family Funeral Service. She was born and raised in Santa Fe, NM. She graduated from Capital High School, GO JAGS! She is a VERY proud Army BRAT. Goldie started serving families over 15 years ago. Her adventure started out with the National Cemetery and she later went on to work at local funeral homes in Santa Fe. We are lucky to now have her working for Berardinelli Family Funeral Service. In her spare time she coaches a girls AAU team.
Embalming Supervisor
Santiago H. Salazar III
Santiago is a valuable member of the Berardinelli team as
the leader in our preparation room and embalming supervisor.
1976 Graduate of the Commonwealth Institiute of Funeral
Service in Houston, TX.
He is a dual licensee in Texas and is also licensed as a
Funeral Service Practitioner in the State of New Mexico
Former Clinical Embalming Instructor for the Commonwealth
Institute of Funeral Service.
Santiago is married and a member of the Knights of Columbus,
4th Degree, and a member of the American Legion.
Public Relations / Funeral Service Intern
Transfer Care Team Leader
Transfer Care Specialist
Transfer Care Specialist
Transfer Care Specialist / Ambassador
Transfer Care Specialist
You are welcome to call us any time of the day, any day of the week, for immediate assistance. Or, visit our funeral home in person at your convenience.