Lifecycles

Death

The Jewish traditions related to death and mourning are intended to recognize death as a part of life. Burial takes place as soon after death as possible.Traditional caskets are of plain wood; embalming and viewing of the body are shunned and flowers are discouraged. Rabbis should be consulted for specific questions about burial and mourning practices such as the observance of shiva, recitation of the Kaddish, yahrzeit observance and attending yizkor services. Funeral homes and chevra kadishas (burial societies) can also answer questions.

South Peninsula

Sinai Memorial Chapel
The only all-Jewish funeral home (chevra kadisha) assisting the Jewish community for over 100 years. Provides traditional and alternative funeral and burial arrangements, pre-need counseling and bereavement support for mourners.
Peninsula Branch, 777 Woodside Rd., Ste. C, Redwood City, CA 94061
(650) 369-3636
(408) 297-3636
Fax: (650) 369-3630
E-mail: wrose@sinaichapel.org

North Bay

Fernwood Cemetery - Funeral Home - Crematory*
Natural burial at Fernwood uses no embalming, no grave liners or vaults. A simple, dignified burial in a shroud or plain wood box.
301 Tennessee Valley Rd., Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 383-7100

Cemeteries

B'nai Israel Cemetery*
Oldest Jewish cemetery in Sonoma County dating back to 1868. Includes an interfaith section, call for details.
(707) 762-0340
(707) 280-5877
E-mail: daphnemail@sbcglobal.net

North Bay

Congregation Kol Shofar: Kol Shalom Marin Jewish Community Cemetery*
Jewish cemetery in Marin County, serving the entire Jewish community.
Mail to: 215 Blackfield Dr., Tiburon, CA 94920
(415) 388-1818
(415) 892-4130
Fax: (415) 388-5423
E-mail: info@kolshofar.org

Congregation Rodef Sholom: Sha'arei Shalom Cemetery*
An ideal choice for those who love a natural setting.
Mail to: 170 North San Pedro Rd., San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 479-3441
E-mail: office@rodefsholom.org

North Peninsula

Peninsula Temple Beth El: Gan Hazikaron/Garden of Remembrance Cemetery
Jewish cemetery on the Peninsula located in one of Northern California's most picuresque memorial parks.
Highway 92 at Skyline Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 341-7701
E-mail: mail@ptbe.org

South Bay

Congregation Beth David: Beth David Memorial Garden
Traditional and dignified burial. As a Conservative synagogue, practices are maintained according to traditional Judaism.
Located at Oak Hill Cemetery, San Jose, Mail to: 19700 Prospect Rd., Saratoga, CA 95070
(408) 257-3333
Fax: (408) 257-3338
E-mail: biran@beth-david.org

Temple Emanu-El: Home of Peace Cemetery*
Jewish-owned cemetery, mausoleum and columbarium, serving the entire Jewish community since 1853.
Mail to: 1010 University Ave., San Jose, CA 95126-1842
Temple office: (408) 292-0939
Fax: (408) 292-7625
E-mail: admin@templesanjose.org

North Peninsula

Hills of Eternity Memorial Park*
Congregation Sherith Israel, 1301 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014
(650) 755-4700
(650) 756-3633
E-mail: sweiner@emanuelsf.org

Home of Peace Cemetery*
Congregation Emanu-El, 1299 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014
(650) 755-4700
(650) 756-3633
E-mail: sweiner@emanuelsf.org

Salem Memorial Park*
Congregation Emanu-El and Congregation Sherith Israel, Mail to: 1171 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014
(650) 755-4700
(650) 756-3633
E-mail: sweiner@emanuelsf.org

Sinai Memorial Chapel: Eternal Home Cemetery
Mail to: P.O. Box 15579, San Francisco, CA 94115, 1051 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014
(650) 755-5236
(415) 921-3636
Fax: (415) 673-3407
E-mail: gkaufman@sinaichapel.org

Central Coast

Congregation Beth Israel: Gan Hazikaron
Consecrated cemetery owned by Congregation Beth Israel.
5716 Carmel Valley Rd., Carmel, CA 93923
(831) 624-2015
Fax: (831) 624-4786
E-mail: aletheacbi@aol.com

Temple Beth El: Home of Peace/Home of Eternity
Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel: (831) 423-5721.
3055 Porter Gulch Rd., Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 479-3444
Fax: (831) 475-7246
E-mail: info@tbeaptos.org

Beth Jacob Congregation: Home of Peace
Orthodox cemetery and burial society.
(510) 482-1147
Fax: (510) 482-2374
E-mail: office@BethJacobOakland.org

Tel Shalom Burial Association*
Liberal Jewish cemetery. Convenient East Bay location. Non-affiliated welcome. Pre-need and at-need service. Burial information. Cremation burial.
(510) 245-7401
(510) 758-2873

East Bay

Sinai Memorial Chapel: Gan Shalom Cemetery
New all-Jewish cemetery, serving all denominations. Affiliated or unaffiliated welcome.
1100 Bear Creek Road, Briones, CA 94553, Mailing Address: 3415 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA 94549
(925) 228-3636
Fax: (925) 284-3962
E-mail: ganshalom@sinaichapel.org

Sinai Memorial Chapel: Garden of Remembrance and Garden of Compassion*
Oakmont Memorial Park, Admin. Office:3415 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA 94549
(925) 962-3636
Fax: (925) 284-3962
E-mail: slefelstein@sinaichapel.org

Temple Sinai: Home of Eternity*
Historic cemetery in the Piedmont/Oakland area serving the entire Jewish community. Burial, cremation, and mausoleum options. Helpful information provided on pre-need or at-need services.
Location: 5000 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, Mail to: P.O. Box 13315 #408, Oakland, CA 94661
(510) 451-3263
Fax: (510) 465-0603
E-mail: info@oaklandsinai.org

Funerals

Mandel Funeral Services of Northern California
Travels to families throughout Northern California planning the funerals in their homes, with many facilities for services throughout California. Local service throughout Northern California.
2325 Sonoma Blvd., Vallejo, CA 94590
(866) 962-6335
1-To-My-Mandel
Fax: (707) 654-1960
E-mail: info@mandelfuneralservices.com

Central Coast

Temple Beth El/JCC: Chevra Kadisha of Temple Beth El
3055 Porter Gulch Rd., Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 479-3444 x216
Fax: (831) 475-7246

East Bay

Beth Jacob Congregation: Chevra Kadisha for Home of Peace Cemetery
Orthodox burial society and cemetery.
3778 Park Blvd., Oakland, CA 94610
(510) 482-1147
Fax: (510) 482-2374
E-mail: office@BethJacobOakland.org

Sinai Memorial Chapel*
East Bay Branch, Administrative Office:, 3415 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, CA 94549
(925) 962-3636
Fax: (925) 284-3962
E-mail: slefelstein@sinaichapel.org

South Bay

Chevra Kadisha of the South Bay
Will prepare any Jewish deceased in the South Bay for burial at the request of the family. Tax-deductible donations are welcome to help cover expenses and funerals for indigent Jews.
c/o Ahabat Torah, 1537A Meridian Ave., San Jose, CA 95125
(408) 264-3138
(408) 425-6911
Fax: (408) 264-3139
E-mail: bergman.d@sbcglobal.net

San Francisco

Sinai Memorial Chapel*
1501 Divisadero St., Mail to: P.O. Box 15579, San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 921-3636
Fax: (415) 673-3407
E-mail: gkaufman@sinaichapel.org

Monuments

North Peninsula

Acme Memorial Inc.*
Granite and marble memorials. Bronze plaques. Cemetery lettering, cleaning and repairing.
1900 Hillside Blvd., Colma, CA 94014
(650) 755-1117
Fax: (650) 755-1190

Bereavement

East Bay

Jewish Family & Children's Services of the East Bay: Bereavement Services
Counseling and support in a warm, Jewish context for those coping with grief after the death of a loved one.
2484 Shattuck Ave., Ste. 210, Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 704-7480 x745
Fax: (510) 704-7494
E-mail: hlinker@jfcs-eastbay.org

San Francisco

Bay Area Jewish Healing Center (BAJHC)
Jewish spiritual care for those who are ill, dying, or bereaved. Services include rabbinic counseling, spiritual support groups, Grief and Growing Weekend, and information and referral.
3330 Geary Blvd., 3rd Floor West, San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 750-4197
Fax: (415) 750-4115
E-mail: jewishhealing@ioaging.org

Jewish Family and Children's Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties: Bereavement and Healing Program
Comprehensive bereavement and healing services for those coping with grief and loss, including counseling, free 8-week spiritual and emotional support groups, information and referral.
2150 Post St., San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 449-1200
E-mail: admin@jfcs.org

Sinai Memorial Chapel: NextSteps
Compassionate outreach services for Sinai mourners providing highly personalized aftercare. Professional counselors work with the bereaved to address grief, integrate losses and reinvest in life.
1501 Divisadero St., Mail to: PO Box 15579, San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 921-3636
Fax: (415) 673-3407
E-mail: nextsteps@sinaichapel.org