Our Staff

Our Funeral Directors

Al Banfield

Owner/Funeral Director #1267
I have been at Garden Chapel for close to 30 years. I live in the community and have historical roots to this area. I became a Funeral Director especially here at Garden Chapel because of the personal care given to all families and I learned from the best our former Manager Richard Noftsger who instilled in me to give all families the dedicated service and care. It is our job as funeral directors to guide each family through the process of caring for their loved one. We do this by taking the burden of arranging the services away from the family so that they do not have to worry. It is truly a great feeling when families, under such emotion from losing a loved one, say to the Funeral Director "Thank You for making this so easy" I am a member of the So.SF YMI #32 (Treasurer), Treasurer of So.SF PAL Boosters, So.SF IACC, So.SF ICF Branch 9, Elk's Lodge BPOE 2091, Host Lion of So.SF, Disabled Vietnam Veterans, SSG (Retired) US Army, Purple Heart Society, So.SF Host Lions, Old Timer of San Francisco, Owner of Garden Chapel, Inc.,

Victoria Avegalio

Funeral Counselor
I have been here at the “Beautiful Garden Chapel” for over 20 years. What keeps me here is the family atmosphere of this environment and knowing that in some ways, I do make a difference in assisting families in their time of need. There is no greater satisfaction than knowing that I assisted in helping a family feel less burdened and more at ease, during a most difficult time in their life, for which I am grateful to be entrusted with such an honor.

Annette Ta'amu Tafoya

Funeral Counselor/Notary Public
Having been at Garden Chapel since mid-2004, it has become more than just a job, it's a unique and life-long experience to be able to help families the way we do during such a difficult yet inevitable time. Over  the years I've learned so much not only about this business and services that we provide to our community but also about myself. Being able to connect with families during such an emotional time and help guide and comfort them through the funeral planning process is a heartfelt experience. Being able to and knowing that I can help ease such a heavy burden, even just the slightest bit is such a humbling feeling. My time at Garden Chapel has allowed me to meet so many wonderful families, witness numerous cultural ceremonies and  share in the lives of their loved ones who we honor and those are memories and experiences that last a lifetime.
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