History & Staff
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.
Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.
Our History
Palms West Funeral Home and Crematory is family owned and operated. We have created a beautiful environment where friends and loved ones can gather. We bring our families over a century of combined experience in funeral service within Palm Beach County, Florida.
We are a non-denominational facility with dedicated staff specializing in providing a complete service that will be tailored to your religious and financial needs. We are open 7 days a week, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Evening visitations and services are available upon request.
Our Valued Staff
Wallace Hickman Sr., President
Co-Owner and President of Palms West Funeral Home.Graduate of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC.Builder and Developer of Dorsey Funeral Home in Lake Worth, Florida.Affiliated with The Rotary Club of West Palm Beach, The Palms West Chamber of Commerce, and The American Legion of Royal Palm Beach.Church Affiliation: First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach, Florida.
Wallace Hickman Jr., Vice President
Co-Owner and Vice President of Palms West Funeral Home.Graduate of the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL in 1985.Church Affiliation: St. Juliana's Catholic Church, West Palm Beach, FL.
Julian E. Almeida, Vice President, Funeral Director In Charge
Julian E. Almeida, originally from North Miami, Florida, moved to West Palm Beach in 1972. Attended Miami-Dade Community College to study Funeral services. He received his Funeral Director and Embalmers License in 1974 and has since been serving South Florida communities. One of the original interns who rode ambulance for a funeral home in 1971 and later on in his career voluntered time for S.A.V.E.S. ambulances. Julian was Past-President of Southside Lions Club, Chancellor Commander Knights of Pythias #203, Past-President Palm Beach County Funeral Directors Association. Vice-President and Founder of Palms West Funeral Home. Julian currently serves as a Board Member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery in Royal Palm Beach. As a senior spokesman for Funeral Directors in Palm Beach County, Julian has been proud to dedicate his knowledge and experience in serving our local families in one of the few family owned funeral homes in our county.
Heather Altman-Kingwell, Funeral Director
Heather Altman-Kingwell, is a native Floridian. Having lived in the area since 1986, she is a graduate of Wellington High School. She holds her degree in Funeral Services from Miami-Dade College as well as a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. Heather currently serves on the Advisory Board to the Funeral Services Department at Miami-Dade College. Heather is a resident of Wellington, and a member of Temple Beth Torah.“I am here to bring comfort and clarity to the bereaved, and dignity to those who can no longer do for themselves.”
Cedric Cosby, Funeral Director
Cedric Cosby is a native Floridian born and raised in Belle Glade, Florida. Graduating from Glades Central High School, he attended Webber International University where he studied General Business. He has earned his degree in Funeral Service from Gupton-Jones College in Atlanta,Ga, has over 15 years of experience in the funeral industry, and is a skilled embalmer in the tri-county area.Currently a resident of West Palm Beach, Cedric is a proud member of Manifest Church and is affiliated with the Masonic Order where he is a proud member of Pride of Palm Beach #447. Cedric brings a wealth of knowledge in serving families. "My grandmother always said 'May the work I do speak of me.' These are words I live by and will always remember as I serve our families."
Madison Goldberg, Funeral Director
Madison Goldberg is a compassionate and dedicated funeral director with a unique journey that reflects her deep commitment to serving others. After years as a professional dog groomer, where she developed a strong sense of care and attention to detail, she pursued and achieved a degree in funeral services. Now, Madison brings that same tenderness, patience, and meticulous care to families during their most trying times. She offers guidance with empathy, helping them honor their loved ones with respect and dignity, while providing a warm, personal touch that makes a meaningful difference.
Judith Stephenson Brookshire, Licensed Funeral Director
Graduate of Miami-Dade Community College, Miami, FL in 1973.Licensed in the State of Florida since 1973. First Female Funeral Director in Palm Beach County. Formally Co-Owner of Mack Stephenson Funeral Home in Lantana, Florida. Formally Senior Sales Director for Mary Kay Cosmetics. Affiliated with The Palms West Chamber of Commerce. Church Affiliations: Victory Baptist Church, West Palm Beach, FL and Palm Beach Lakes Baptist Association.
John Duemig, Pre-Arrangements Director
John Duemig was born and raised in Oceanside, New York, and moved with his family to South Florida in 1989. John has 25 years experience in the funeral industry and specializes in helping families plan for and finance future funeral needs. Qualified and licensed to provide both annuity and trust financing, John has the unique opportunity to help families prepare regardless of budget, age or medical conditions."More families than ever before are making funeral arrangements in advance. This frees the surviving family from making difficult decisions when they are least prepared and very emotional. Pre-planning provides great peace of mind for everyone involved. It can even guarantee the cost at today's prices when funeral expenses are pre-paid, but, to me, the most important reason to pre-plan is the ultimate gift you will be giving to your family!"
Anderson Arteaga, Funeral Director
With over 25 years of experience serving families with compassion and integrity, Anderson Arteaga is a dedicated Funeral Director at Palms West Funeral Home. Since beginning his vocation in 1998, Anderson has guided countless families through some of life’s most difficult moments with warmth, respect, and a deep sense of purpose.Anderson holds an Associate Degree in Science from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York, where he developed a strong foundation in mortuary science. In addition to his technical expertise, he also earned a Theology degree from the Philadelphia Biblical Seminary in Colombia, South America—training that deeply informs his holistic and empathetic approach to funeral care.Bilingual and culturally sensitive, Anderson is known for his ability to connect with families from all walks of life. Whether helping plan a simple cremation or a traditional memorial service, his mission remains the same: to honor each life with dignity and provide families with peace of mind.