Funerals

7 Unusual Funeral Terms You May Not Know

People who aren’t involved in the funeral industry may not understand a lot of the terms that come up while they’re planning a funeral or memorial service. To help our neighbors in El Cerrito, Albany, and Piedmont navigate this unfamiliar territory, our team at Sunset View Cemetery &… Read More

Social Media Do’s and Don’ts: 4 Tips to Know Before You Post

Social media has enriched our lives in a lot of different ways. We’ve all heard the stories about the high school sweethearts who reconnected on Facebook and lived happily ever. And many of us who live here in El Cerrito, Oakland, and Berkeley have loved ones spread across the… Read More

Top 3 Misconceptions About Funeral Directors

When members of our staff here at Sunset View Cemetery meet someone new and mention working at a cemetery, you can imagine there’s a range of reactions. After all, most jobs have their share of stereotypes and common misconceptions. We receive all kinds of questions from our neighbors in… Read More

Are Funerals Affordable?

One of life’s most stressful experiences is the death of a spouse, friend, or relative. Add to it the dozens of decisions that need to be made after a loss and many people find themselves feeling overwhelmed. Every day here at Sunset View Cemetery & Mortuary, we… Read More

How to Make a Cremation Service Meaningful

Years ago, there was one factor that kept many Oakland, Berkeley, and Richmond families from considering cremation when they were planning a funeral. People believed that if they chose cremation, they could not have a funeral service that was meaningful and told the story of their… Read More

Funeral Etiquette: What to Do and What Not to Do

Learning the ropes of how to behave appropriately at a funeral service can be tricky and possibly even awkward. As you navigate this process, remember that the family of the deceased person comes first. This is their time to show how important their loved one is to them and… Read More

My Loved One Said, “No Funeral.” What Should I Do?

This is an issue we hear about time and time again at Sunset View Cemetery & Mortuary: What should I do when my loved one made it clear he or she does not want a funeral or memorial service? What your loved one may be thinking is this… Read More

Does Gentle Humor Have a Place at a Funeral?

Close your eyes and recall your favorite memory of time spent with a special friend or family member. Chances are, you’re both smiling and laughing. Humor is a natural part of being human, and yet people often ask our team at Sunset View Cemetery if it has a… Read More

Can We Plan a Memorial for a Loved One Who Died Last Year?

For many families in the Bay Area the coronavirus outbreak dramatically changed the way they said goodbye to loved ones who died. No more visitations with guests giving one another handshakes and hugs to offer support. No more open, public funerals as loved ones near and… Read More

When You Don’t Know What to Say at a Visitation

We’ve talked to countless people in El Cerrito, Oakland, and Berkeley  over the years who have a story like this one: My elderly neighbor died last week and I read in her online obituary that there’s a visitation, funeral, and reception this weekend. Read More