Choosing a funeral home for yourself or your loved one is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. You need to be able to trust the integrity, knowledge, and advice of the licensed funeral directors and staff. You need to know you’re being presented with all of the options regarding available services. And when it comes to a permanent memorial, you want to leave your family with a beautiful place to come back to year after year.
These are among the many reasons generations of families in El Cerrito, Kensington, Richmond, Berkeley, Pinole, and Oakland have come to Sunset View Cemetery & Mortuary with their funeral and cremation needs for over a century. Our longevity in the community instills confidence that, with us, you are receiving the highest level of care – just as families have been since Sunset View was founded in 1908.
From the small country cemetery with horse-drawn vehicles to our present-day, state-of-art, newly renovated facility, it’s easy to see why we have gained a reputation as one of Northern California’s most beautiful memorial parks and mortuaries. While it’s hard to imagine what life was like more than 100 years ago when Sunset View got its start in the Berkeley Hills, we still enjoy the same sweeping panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the San Francisco Bay, and the downtown San Francisco skyline.
A decade after its inception, George P. Baxter, President of Berkeley National Bank, became part of the Sunset View, and a year later, his son Walter Baxter Sr. joined the staff. The funeral home developed even more of a family-operated feel when Walter Baxter Jr. joined the team in 1950, serving as president until his retirement in 1991. He was followed by Michael J. Klinger, who began his career at Sunset View in 1973 while he was still a student at Mortuary College, and served as president until 2015, when current president Scott Pennington took the reins.
We have retained our reputation for compassionate, excellent service with the leadership of these professionals, yet have also kept pace with the expanding metropolitan communities that surround our borders. Our facility, originally constructed in the 1960s, was recently renovated creating an interior just as stunning as the views outside. Every room featuring warming lighting and a modern, home-like atmosphere was designed to offer comfort and make you feel welcome.
As for our grounds, there is no detail that goes unnoticed. It’s almost as if you’re taking a step back in time when you explore one of the most beautiful cemeteries imaginable. Visitors often see deer and turkeys strolling among the trees and foliage. Many different kinds of people enjoy spending time here, whether it’s an artist painting our panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge or the San Francisco Bay, or someone simply enjoying nature.
We’ve come a long way since the early days at the turn of the 20th century, but one thing will never change: our commitment to provide the highest quality and most compassionate care to our neighbors as we assist them in telling the story of a life and creating memories. Whether it’s paying tribute with a memorable funeral, selecting Sunset View as your final resting place, or utilizing our cremation services with our privately owned crematory, we continue to offer families more choices than they can imagine. Stop by to explore our grounds and facilities, and don’t hesitate to call anytime with questions.
3 Responses to “ The History of Sunset View Cemetery ”
Mitchell Lucas posted on June 10, 2021 at 12:43 am:
My great aunt Cordelia “Adele” Morgan was cremated by Sunset Crematorium. I can send the death certificate if it would help. I want to find her resting spot. Her death date is Sept 1 1936. Can you help me find her? Is her husband George with her? If you find them can you send me a picture. Thanks in advance,
Mitch Lucas
Mitchell Lucas posted on June 10, 2021 at 12:43 am:
My great aunt Cordelia “Adele” Morgan was cremated by Sunset Crematorium. I can send the death certificate if it would help. I want to find her resting spot. Her death date is Sept 1 1936. Can you help me find her? Is her husband George with her? If you find them can you send me a picture. Thanks in advance,
Mitch Lucas
Mitchell Lucas posted on June 10, 2021 at 12:43 am:
My great aunt Cordelia “Adele” Morgan was cremated by Sunset Crematorium. I can send the death certificate if it would help. I want to find her resting spot. Her death date is Sept 1 1936. Can you help me find her? Is her husband George with her? If you find them can you send me a picture. Thanks in advance,
Mitch Lucas