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.Cemeteries
Home of Peace/Home of Eternity
Burials take place in one of two attractive cemeteries: Home of Peace Cemetery on Meder Street or Beit Olam Cemetery in Soquel.
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Gan Shalom Cemetery
The only exclusively Jewish cemetery in the East Bay serving all denominations. Affiliated, unaffiliated and intermarried all welcome.
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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.
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Home of Peace Cemetery
Orthodox cemetery and burial society. Administered by Beth Jacob Congregation.
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Lone Tree Cemetery
An endowed-care cemetery developed in 1868, with a romantic past and a park-like setting. Many of Hayward’s best-known and remembered pioneer families are buried here, including the city’s founder, William Hayward.
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B’nai Israel Cemetery
Oldest Jewish cemetery in Sonoma County dating back to 1868. Includes an interfaith section; call for details.
The Commission for the Preservation of Pioneer Jewish Cemeteries and Landmarks in the West
Oversees seven pioneer cemeteries in the California Gold Country dating to the 1850's.: Sonora, Mokelumne Hill, Jackson, Placerville, Nevada City, Grass Valley and Marysville.
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Gan Yarok at Fernwood Cemetery
Natural burial at Fernwood uses no embalming, no grave liners or vaults. A simple, dignified burial in a shroud or plain wood box.
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Kol Shalom Jewish Cemetery of Marin
Picturesque Jewish cemetery in Marin County serving affiliated and non-affiliated Jews who want to be buried in an all-inclusive Jewish cemetery.
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Ner Tamid Jewish Cemetery Maintained by Congregation Beth Shalom – Napa
North Bay cemetery is located in the scenic 160-year-old St. Helena Cemetery. Community cemetery open to Jews and their families regardless of affiliation.
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Beth David Memorial Garden
Attractively landscaped memorial garden, located in San Jose, is preserved as sacred ground. Offers Jewish burial sites and pastoral solitude to mourners.
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Gan Emet Cemetery
Newly expanded and landscaped cemetery serving the needs of the South Bay Jewish community. Unaffiliated welcome. Single and double-depth burials, cremation options. Natural setting.
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Gan Hazikaron/Garden of Remembrance Cemetery
Serving the Jewish community of the Peninsula. One of Northern California's most picturesque memorial parks, overlooking the coastal hills. Maintained by Peninsula Temple Beth El.
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Home of Peace Cemetery
Jewish-owned cemetery, mausoleum and columbarium, serving the entire Jewish community since 1853.
Los Gatos Memorial Park
Honoring the Jewish community's traditions with attractive, affordable space available in Shalom Garden. Burial, cremation and a wide variety of permanent memorialization options available.
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Eternal Home Cemetery
Serves the entire Jewish community, offering burial to all religious streams, the unaffiliated and the intermarried. Dedicated Orthodox section.
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Ner Shalom Progressive Cemetery
Congregation Ner Shalom maintains a cemetery for burials at beautiful Pleasant Hills Memorial Park in Sebastopol. Available to the Jewish community-at-large: members and non-members, their Jewish or non-Jewish spouses and family members. Sites available for both full-body and cremated remains.
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Bereavement
Bereavement Services
Counseling and support in a warm, Jewish context for those coping with grief after the death of a loved one.
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Grief and Growing (TM): A Healing Weekend
Weekend for bereaved individuals and all types of families to explore tools and techniques to help mourners. Co-sponsored by Bay Area Jewish Healing Center, Jewish LearningWorks and Sinai Memorial Chapel.
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Bereavement and Healing Services – JFCS
Comprehensive grief and bereavement services for those coping with loss, including individual counseling, grief support groups, and information and referrals.
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Sinai Memorial Chapel Mourner Care Program
Compassionate and professional grief support. Personalized outreach and aftercare for mourners, community education and consultation. Services provided free of charge.
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Funerals
Sinai Memorial Chapel, East Bay Branch
The only full-service Jewish funeral home and chevra kadisha serving the entire Jewish community for 115 years. A community-owned, not-for-profit membership organization.
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Chevra Kadisha of Sonoma County
To Honor the Dead and Strengthen the Living~
Community-based, the Chevra Kadisha is available to all Sonoma County Jews, regardless of affiliation or level of Jewish observance.
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Chevra Kadisha of the South Bay
Volunteers prepare any Jewish deceased in the South Bay for burial at request of family. Tax-deductible donations help cover expenses and funerals for indigent Jews.
Sinai Memorial Chapel, Peninsula and South Bay Branch
The only full-service Jewish funeral home and chevra kadisha serving the entire Jewish community for over 115 years. A community-owned, not-for-profit membership organization.
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Sinai Memorial Chapel
The only full-service Jewish funeral home and chevra kadisha serving the entire Jewish community for 114 years. A community-owned, not-for-profit membership organization.
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Monuments
Acme Memorial Inc.
Granite and marble memorials. Bronze plaques. Cemetery lettering, cleaning and repairing.
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