Blog

Responding to a Friend Who is Grieving

All of us in the El Cerrito, Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, Pinole, and El Sobrante communities have been touched by loss. Even if you haven’t lost someone very close to you, you probably love someone who has. So, what happens when a friend is in the grips of grief? It… Read More

3 Common Misconceptions About Preplanning

Raise your hand if this has happened to you: You attend a funeral only to find yourself thinking about your own funeral in the days that followed. Or maybe you’ve heard a friend talk about how they put their funeral arrangements in writing, but you haven’t taken the… Read More

Why Grief Often Heightens During Spring and Summer

“Every May, my mom helped me plant a garden. She died last fall and I tear up even thinking about shopping for flowers without her.” “When the weather would warm up, my grandpa made his famous BBQ chicken just about every weekend. Now that he’s gone, even the smell of… Read More

4 Special Ways to Celebrate your Loved One’s Life in the Years After their Death

In talking to El Cerrito, Oakland, Berkeley, and Richmond families over the years, many have described how grief has a tendency to “sneak in” after losing a loved one. Our staff at Sunset View Cemetery & Mortuary can relate. Something as simple as hearing a… Read More

10 Ways to Help Children Remember Loved Ones Who Have Died

Over the years, many adults have shared concerns with our staff that their children will forget their loved one who died – or that memories of that special person will greatly diminish over the years. Here at Sunset View Cemetery & Mortuary, we understand the healing that… Read More

Getting Through Mother’s Day without Mom

When Mother’s Day is approaching, and your mother is not around for any number of reasons, it can be incredibly painful. Many on our team here at Sunset View Mortuary & Cemetery know exactly what this feels like. Whether you’ve lost your mother to death or estrangement, or… Read More

Our Advice on Talking to Kids About COVID-19

Our Sunset View Cemetery & Mortuary staff has 112 years of experience walking through difficult times with those in our community. This includes having conversations with children about illness, tragedy, and death. When El Cerrito, Oakland, Richmond, Berkeley, Pinole, and Albany families walk through our doors,… Read More

5 Ways to Relieve Loneliness During a Quarantine

All across El Cerrito, people are spending their days inside waiting for the end of the COVID-19 crisis. Here at Sunset View Mortuary & Cemetery we are doing our best to serve our community during this time of uncertainty. We know that many of you are separated… Read More

Self-Care During a Crisis is a Must

The year 2020 is not going as planned. As COVID-19 travels across the globe, it is natural to feel heightened anxiety, disappointment, and stress. The coming days and weeks are unknown, and the unknown can be frightening. It’s important to heed local and national health guidelines, and practice self-care to… Read More

4 Tips for Sorting Through a Loved One’s Belongings After Death

Families who come to Sunset View Cemetery & Mortuary from all around El Cerrito, Oakland, Berkeley, and Richmond often tell us that one of the most heartbreaking moments of losing a loved one is returning to an empty home filled with memories – and possessions. Organizing items… Read More