Chinese philosopher Confucius wrote, “A man who does not plan long ahead will find trouble at his door.” Planning ahead is wise, which is why we do it for almost every major life event. But you would be surprised how many people have not yet thought about preplanning their own funeral arrangements. Maybe you have considered preplanning, but figure you’ll get around to it when you’re older. Here at Sunset View Cemetery & Mortuary, we believe it’s never too early to get your needs and wishes in writing, and here’s why: Preplanning allows you to tell the story of your life your way.

Our caring team is seeing more and more people coming in to Sunset View from El Cerrito, Kensington, Richmond, Berkeley, Oakland, and other areas to preplan because they want to leave their mark on their final arrangements. It could be because they have very strong opinions about what they want – especially when it comes to cremation or traditional burial. Some people are adamant they want a simple memorial, while others want to pull out all the stops!

Do you have an opinion about your final resting place? Most people do, but oftentimes their family doesn’t know about it. You can also use the service and even your burial to paint a picture of your life with the personalization options you choose. It could be planning a funeral reception that feels more like a party, or arranging for music and readings with special meaning. Think about it: If you’re a sports fan, how special would it would be to have a football- themed visitation with all of your memorabilia on display? Have you served in the military? It would be our privilege to help you plan an unforgettable service featuring full military honors and arrange for burial in a national cemetery.

If you do not have children, putting your own plans in place meets a very practical need. Or maybe you just don’t want to have to depend on someone else to get things right after you’re gone. You want to be in the driver’s seat, and we don’t blame you. Every part of your life was a reflection of your values, your culture, your traditions, and your interests – your final farewell should be no different.

And with the added benefit of taking pressure off your family during a time of grief, and in some cases, saving money, preplanning makes a lot of sense. It’s why so many people in the Bay Area are doing just that with Sunset View – whether they come in to plan or put everything in place via our online planning form.

Are you ready to take this step but still have questions? Reach out to us today. Our caring team is always here for you and your family.