Obituaries

Upcoming Services

We are available 24 hours a day throughout the Bay Area. Call (415) 921-3636

What to Do First

In the first moments after a death it can feel overwhelming to know what to do— this guide offers four immediate steps and reassurance.
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Advanced Planning Checklist

We have provided a summarized list of the information we might ask about during an Advanced Planning meeting. We will support and guide you through the process regardless of what information you have ready.
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A Guide for the Comforter

We are offer some guidelines—many based on Jewish customs—on what you may expect regarding funerals, burials, and visits to the family in mourning.
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Annual Day of Learning

Our annual Day of Learning focuses on Jewish rituals that support our community through the stages of <span style="white-space: nowrap">end-of-life,</span> death, and grief.
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Funeral Services

Our welcoming and knowledgeable staff can guide you through our wide range of funeral and memorial services so you can honor your loved ones however they wish.

Planning a Meaningful Goodbye

Help with End-of-Life Paperwork

Our team will handle death certificates and permits, and can assist with writing and publishing obituaries so you can focus on your grief and remembrance.

Meeting with a
Funeral Director

We’ll guide you through funeral arrangement decisions, such as choosing a location for the funeral service or memorial.

Assistance with
Burial Timing

Jewish tradition calls for burial as soon as possible. We work quickly within legal and logistical requirements, while being mindful your needs.

Explore Our Funeral Homes

East Bay Funeral Home

3415 Mt. Diablo Boulevard Lafayette, CA 94549

(925) 369-3636

San Francisco & North Bay
Funeral Home

1501 Divisadero Street San Francisco, CA 94115

(415) 921-3636

Peninsula & South Bay
Funeral Home

3921 Fabian Way #A-24 Palo Alto, CA 94303

(650) 369-3636

Explore Our Cemeteries & Chapels

Eternal Home Cemetery

1051 El Camino Real Colma, CA 94014

(650) 755-5236

Gan Shalom Cemetery

1100 Bear Creek Road Briones, CA 94553

(925) 228-3636

Home of Eternity
Cemetery & Mausoleum

5000 Piedmont Ave Oakland, CA 94611

(925) 962-3636

San Francisco & North Bay
Funeral Home

1501 Divisadero Street San Francisco, CA 94115

(415) 921-3636

Honoring Memory

Honoring a Life with Care & Tradition

Funeral services can include many elements of a traditional Jewish funeral, such as eulogies, prayers, music, and guidance from a rabbi, or they can be more informal.

Some families choose to keep the funeral private and invite a wider circle to a memorial afterward. However you choose to gather, Sinai Memorial is here to help you create a service that reflects the spirit and values of you and your loved one.

Choosing an Officiant

A rabbi, cantor, family member, close friend, clergy, or Jewish spiritual leader may officiate the funeral service or memorial.

Choosing a Location

Funerals can take place graveside or at any of our chapels. We will also work with any chapel, synagogue, or community space in the Bay Area.

Testimonial

“When you are Jewish, there are certain protocols/timeframes/etc. that have to be adhered to and truthfully, when I was dealing with the fact that my beloved Grandmother was dying, I knew who I needed to contact and why.”

— Tam F., Yelp Reviewer

Funerals

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during a Jewish funeral service?

Many Jewish funerals include two parts. The chapel service often features eulogies, the recitation of Psalms (commonly 15, 23, 24, 29, and 90), and the memorial prayer El Malei Rachamim. Afterward, family and community may accompany the deceased to the graveside, where the Jewish prayer for mourning (Kaddish) is recited. Some pause briefly along the way as a sign of reluctance to part. It is customary for the community to help place earth on the grave, and for mourners to wash their hands upon leaving the cemetery as a transition back toward life.

Are Jewish cemeteries required for a funeral service?

Jewish tradition encourages burial in a Jewish cemetery or designated Jewish section, reflecting communal continuity and sacred care of the dead. Burial in a Jewish cemetery is not required, and Sinai Memorial can assist with burial arrangements at any cemetery, anywhere.

Can we hold a memorial service or “celebration of life” instead of a traditional funeral?

Yes. Some families choose to hold a memorial or remembrance gathering without a casket or cremated remains present. These services may take place in a Sinai Memorial chapel and can be scheduled at a time that works for your family. While this approach is not traditional in Jewish practice, Sinai Memorial respects these wishes and is happy to help families create a meaningful gathering that honors their loved one.

Can we live stream the service?

Yes. Sinai Memorial offers complimentary live streaming options so loved ones can participate from afar. Please let us know when scheduling if this is desired.

How long does a Jewish funeral service usually last?

Most Jewish funeral services are relatively brief, often lasting 20–40 minutes, with additional time at the graveside. The focus is on reflection, remembrance, and care rather than length.

Is embalming required in California?

No. Embalming is generally not required unless a viewing or open‑casket service is planned. Embalming is not a traditional Jewish practice, as Jewish law emphasizes prompt burial and respectful care of the body. We’ll explain all options clearly.

Still have questions?