Our Story
Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.
Ever since we opened our gates we have approached life (and death) differently. While some just see the end of a loved one’s life as a time for grief and mourning, we prefer to think of it as a time for reflection, appreciation and even celebration. This is evident in everything we do, from the way we conduct our services to the amenities we choose to offer. We are not a burial ground. We are a close knit community dedicated to honoring, sharing and preserving the amazing and inspirational stories that are life.
Why Us?
In a nutshell? Experience, professionalism, compassion, and empathy.

We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring parties. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.
Learn the legacy.
Hillcrest Mortuary & Memorial Park Cemetery was established years ago, and serving families has always been our focus. We take pride in being able to guide people through some of their most difficult days. We take pride in maintaining a setting that allows people to find solace. Celebrating life is our mission. That’s never changed. And with pride, it never will.
Who We Are
Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.
Together, we make this place amazing.

Jed Ramey
General Manager
Jed has served families here since moving to Medford in 1987 after graduating from San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. In addition to being a funeral director, he also is an Oregon licensed insurance agent for pre-planning. He is a member of the Oregon Funeral Directors Association, Rogue Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Oregon Hunters Association.
Jed was born in Omak, a small eastern Washington town famous for the Omak Stampede, Rodeo and Suicide Horse Race. He grew up and graduated high school in a small, western Montana. He then worked at his family’s logging company until he began his career in funeral service.
He is married with two grown daughters and enjoys outdoors activities such as archery, hunting, fishing and golf.

Samantha Lyman
Funeral Director & Embalmer

Julie McCurry
Julie was born in Redding, CA where she graduated High School. She moved to the Rogue Valley in 2019 where she began work as a Cemetery Administrator for Hillcrest Memorial Park. Julie enjoys making the grieving process as comfortable as possible for her families. She also enjoys spoiling her grandsons, crafting and reading. She has one daughter and one son and two grandsons.

Chris Balken
Grounds Superintendent
Chris has been in the death care industry since he was a small boy. He left Hillcrest in 2006 to pursue Concrete Block and Brick Masonry. He returned to Hillcrest Memorial Park in July, 2018 to become Superintendent of Grounds. He was born in the Rogue Valley in 1983 where he graduated high school and attended Job Corps and currently lives in Eagle Point, OR. Chris enjoys helping people and pulling into his park and seeing what he and his team have created. Chris’ hobbies are hunting, fishing and other outdoor events. He has a beautiful fiancé and a son and daughter.

Jack Miller
Groundskeeper
Jack was born and raised in Medford, OR where he graduated from Connections Academy. He previously did work as a Produce Stocker, Maintenance/Construction Worker and a Physical Laborer. He began his career in this industry as a Grounds Keeper for Memory Gardens Memorial Park in September, 2020. Jack enjoys helping families and keeping the grounds looking nice. His favorite activities are going to the Gym (which he loves), hiking, camping, cooking, gaming, and going on adventures such as road trips.

Kurt Freitas
Grounds Keeper

Teresa Vail
Office Administrator
Teresa was born and raised in Central Point, OR. She graduated from Crater High School in 1978, attended Rogue Community College in Medford, OR and Arapahoe Community College. Teresa is Family Service Manager at Hillcrest and Memory Gardens Memorial Parks and Mortuaries where she enjoys helping families. She has been in the industry and worked for the company for twenty years. Previously she worked for State Farm insurance for six years and American Linen for eighteen years. Teresa has been in this community for sixty years and is involved with Access and Senior Citizen Volunteer Group. She loves to travel, enjoys camping, plays/shows, music, horseback riding and dogs. She has one son, one grandson and a dachshund named Johnny.

M Breau
Funeral Director

Nova McCarthy
Advance Planning Advisor
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