Blog

I’m Not Sure Cremation is Right for Me. How Do I Decide?

In many San Francisco Bay Area families, traditions are passed down from generation to generation. This is particularly the case when it comes to rites of passage. Think about how your family celebrates holidays, birthdays, graduations, and weddings. Chances are, there are certain foods you make, certain… Read More

Five Favorite Places to Reflect in the Bay Area

Grieving the death of a loved one is an individual process. Whether you’ve recently experienced loss for the first time or have faced it many times in the past, grief can feel overwhelming. Too often, working through unfamiliar emotions is so uncomfortable that people will stall, sidetrack, or sweep painful… Read More

How to Talk to Your Parents About Preplanning

At Sunset View Cemetery & Mortuary, we’ve noticed in recent years that more and more people in the El Cerrito, Oakland, Berkeley, and Richmond communities are planning their own funeral. And some choose to do it rather early in life – many as soon… Read More

How Crying Helps Us Process Grief

Many people who come to Sunset View Cemetery & Mortuary after losing a loved one ask if the way they’re reacting is considered “normal.” Some haven’t shed a tear and feel guilty about it. Some are in shock and don’t feel much of anything. Read More

“Mommy, when is Grandma coming back?”— Explaining Death to Children

Knowing what to say to children when a loved one dies can be a challenge. Many El Cerrito, Oakland, Berkeley, and Richmond families have approached our team at ­­­­Sunset View Cemetery and Mortuary over the years wondering about the “best” ways… Read More

The History of Sunset View Cemetery

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… Read More

We Are Proud to Fly the Flag for Our Veterans

As we consider the young men and women who have fought for our freedom throughout the years, whether overseas and protecting our borders at home, the words “You’re a grand ole’ flag, you’re a high-flying flag” take on special meaning. As Americans – and as people from… Read More

Creating Meaningful Receptions

Receptions are an important part of the healing process. They allow El Cerrito families to come together and support one another in a relaxed atmosphere, laugh about the good times with their loved one, and appreciate the moments they shared with… Read More

Celebrating Ching Ming with Our Chinese Neighbors

Since Sunset View Cemetery & Mortuary was founded in April of 1908 as a small, country cemetery in the Berkeley Hills, our Chinese neighbors have been coming here to celebrate Ching Ming (or Qingming, which translates as “clear brightness”), one of… Read More

The Many Ways to Personalize a Loved One’s Farewell

For many of the families we serve in El Cerrito and the surrounding California communities, a memento of a loved one can be incredibly comforting in the days and months following a death. With many memorial items to choose from at… Read More