Buyer beware. This is not a funeral home. It is a funeral service. There is no showroom. It is a one woman operation who is not completely informed about California Law. You might save a little money here, but it isn't worth it. You will not get the respect you and your loved one deserves. She doesn't always answer her phone so you have to leave a message. Also, she doesn't always return your call. It took 8 weeks to get my daughter's ashes and a birth certificate. Unacceptable!!!!! She had all kinds of excuses why she couldn't go to the crematoria and pick up my loved one. Most funeral homes have employees to do these errands. Don't be fooled by her sweet demeanor. She caused unnecessary pain during this grieving process. Total lack of communication skills. Read the reviews people have written. Go to a real funeral home with an actual showroom and people who care. read more

My 91 year old father has been trying to contact Sharon Mace since July 2014, and it is now October 2014, and no return calls. He has already paid for his cremation and needed all the paperwork and all his questions answered, has left over 12 messages, and I have left over 7 messages, and nothing except 1 time when she told me in early Sept. that she had it all on her computer and ready to e mail us but she never did. Will be contacting the Department of Cemetery and Funeral Bureau of CA to file a formal complaint against A Special Touch read more

The reason I chose this funeral home was because it was in San Ramon where I live, and it was on the list that the Hospice I was working with gave me. If I had any time to research I definitely would not have gone with this funeral home. First and foremost, the transport to pick up my husband's body took nearly 6 hours to arrive to my home. We called the transport company several times and no one could tell us why it was taking so long. Lots of excuses but no concrete reasons for the delay especially for a company located only a few miles away. Not only was this unacceptable but traumatic to me and my family. When I talked to Sharon Mace the following day, she didn't seem to have any idea that this transport mishap had occurred. She did agree to not charge for transportation costs. Communication was abysmal. I had to constantly ask for updates on the timeline for the cremation and status of death certificates. Ultimately it took over 5 weeks to get the cremains and death certificates back. Also, the death certificate was wrong and needed to be amended. To be fair, I am not sure if the mistake was the from funeral home or the county but it just added to the big picture. When the death certificates finally arrived, they offered to deliver the certificates and cremains to my house. At this point, I had lost all faith in this company and told them I would pick them up immediately. Again, this company is supposedly based in San Ramon but I had to meet Mr. Mace in Castro Valley to pick up the cremains and certificates. I cannot stress enough how traumatic this whole experience was and no one going through the death of a loved one should have to deal with this kind of incompetence. read more

I was immensely disappointed with the services by Sharon and a Special Touch. There was zero communication unless I was the one that reached out -- they didn't even tell us they had picked up his body, and never took any initiative to keep us updated as to what was going on. After already grieving the loss of a loved one, I found that their lack of care added to our grief. For almost a month and a half, outside of me contacting them, I had no idea what was going on or even where my loved ones' remains were. She kept telling me the cremations would be ready "soon" or "by next week" only to continue to be kept waiting. Even when I asked her to contact us regarding when we could come pick them up and voiced my concerns about their lack of communication, I never received any communication. Whenever I did call, I found her to be incredibly cold. Voicemails were not returned. There was never anyone at the address listed when we went to go speak to them in person. It wasn't until almost 1.5 months after my loved one passed/they had picked up his body from the hospital that we received his ashes. This wouldn't have even been done in that time frame had I not left a voicemail all but demanding them to hand over the ashes, upon which I received a text message from Sharon. After all of that, the one thing I requested was that the ashes be placed in 3 bags to allow for us to more easily scatter some, provide some to other family members, and place some in an urn. She was unable to even do that. This was an awful experience, and I would highly recommend you look literally anywhere else for the handling of your loved ones' remains. read more

This is my first yelp review. I've long "meant" to get "aroundtoit" but I am passionate about the importance of good business practices when it comes to death. As a pastor's wife and person who has been the sole arranger of my own parent's funerals, I've dealt with several funeral homes in my years. This one is as good as it gets. Before choosing which mortuary to call, I did some research using the information available on bay area funeral society web pages (http://www.funerals.org/affiliates-directory) as well as on yelp. The funeral in question was to be in the Livermore/East Bay area but I searched a much broader field, looking for fair pricing, good reviews, and oddly, a good "non-funereal" vibe to the website and funeral director. I was able to speak with the owner Sharon, in the wee hours when a need arose in our congregation. It felt like talking to one's auntie or family friend, if such were also a professional funeral director (-: She didn't have that terrible maudlin pall that so many affect. She was respectful of our clear cut desires; she didn't push services that were unnecessary or unwanted. She spoke in a straightforward "normal" manner that was totally comforting, no aerie fairie mumbo jumbo here. Perhaps some folk desire to need to learn another language to bury their dead, but I think respectful and straightforward is appreciated by all. Due to distance for me, my husband went with the family in question to the site for planning, and said the grounds were very attractive, homey and inviting. I appreciate that Sharon works with her husband as well, it gives a good feel. I appreciated the detail her website gave to individual extra costs that were detailed that some places don't outline until you are sitting in front of them. I'm pretty sure that just on website alone, the average person would feel good about dealing with her. I couldn't have been more pleased by Sharon's demeanor. Her prices were excellent and competitive. My interactions with her to find care for our friend in need, have left me feeling blessed to know I have already found "My" mortuary of choice before our own need. I feel confident others will find her much the same. read more

Thank you so much A Special Touch and especially Sharon for doing my sister Elizabeth's memorial service. They are so easy to work with and flexibility of their time. They easily dealt with different voices that were coming at them and up to the last minute changes. Thanks you for working so diligently with us and for making my sisters service come off so smoothly. read more

Being from St. Louis I found trying to arrange a funeral in California quite difficult. Had to call 5 places to even find a live person to talk to and that was only by leaving voicemails all over town. By default we went with the first one to call back who could provide a funeral in 4 days. My brother died unexpectedly at age 52. He was the single parent of my 20 yr. old niece. She wanted a funeral in CA where he lived the last 28+ years and then to return him to his hometown of St. Louis to rest where his 6 siblings and their families all live. There's a problem in dealing with A Special Touch when they don't actually do the preparing of physical remains and subcontract it out to Bay Area Mortuary Services (BAMS). Sharon Mace disclosed this after I looked around her small office and asked who or where is my brother going to from the Coroner's location where he'd been fully autopsied? There obviously wasn't space or facilities to do it at her location. She sang the praises of BAMS and said they handled probably 70-75% of funerals requiring shipping. Sounded perfect at the time. An additional fee was charged for autopsy repair, fair enough. We had a funeral in CA where my brother looked a horrible color and not like himself. His suit jacket haphazardly on him. Fabric from the satin pillow beneath him puffed up and over his head like a baby bonnet to hide the poor job they'd done on the autopsy incision. The services provided at his viewing substandard to the protocols I'm accustomed to in St. Louis. Then a horror show ensued inside the casket during his flight home. We had to START OVER with a NEW CASKET, CLOTHING and MAKEUP. Sharon Mace immediately graciously offered to pay for the new casket when contacted by our local funeral home. She told me in our phone conversation she had agreed to cover that expense for my niece; left my niece that same promise in a voicemail all on the day her father's visitation was at risk. Sadly, EIGHT MONTHS LATER that bill remains UNPAID. One of my brothers and I have a nightmare permanently etched in our memories, as the family members who stepped in to deal with the horrendous results. They were entirely preventable had the proper precautions required been taken. And the final INSULT; in a complaint filed with the Better Business Bureau BAMS told the BBB they didn't handle my brothers remains; had no file on him! Frankly a full refund is the minimum you would expect in a situation like this. Nothing but finger pointing and denial to date from both. For Sharon Mace not to keep her word to cover the new casket expense and BAMS either being deceitful or so poorly run to say they didn't do the work is outrageous. I have the case report with their embalmers signature and license number. No integrity; no conscience. I cannot recommend anyone risk placing the remains of their loved one in the hands of either of these entities. read more

I found A Special Touch Funeral Services through my Pastor as he had hired them to handle his own fathers death and recommended them to me. I had worked in the past with major mortuary services and was left with the sense of emptiness and it was always a huge expense. My father in law passed away at home. He suffered fighting the ailments of diabetes and had lost a leg in the process. The morning he passed to eternity I called Sharon and she literally handled everything and it was with such speed and efficiency and true dedication to our personal feelings and wants. Admittedly, despite having experience in these matters, I did not have it all together. Preparing my fathers clothes with care I drive them from Sonoma to her office in Dublin for preparation, however I forgot socks and shoes. Half way back to Sonoma I call her in a frantic panic and convey the HUGE (in my mind at the time) error, I was a bit excited. I call her and she is totally calm and says it is no problem she would run down to Payless shoes and pick something up. Problem solved! Since my father passed I have worked with Sharon on two other occasions; one helping a neighbor after her husband passed with cremation services and the other with a funeral for a close family friend. In each of my experiences with Sharon I knew my best interest was at heart and she was committed to my satisfaction. She knows my family, friends and counterparts and is the only service I trust to care for the details and affairs of the relationships I hold dear. read more

I have never done a Yelp review before but I felt it was important to give a review to give others the chance to really think about their decision before using this business. If you want a place that will take care of your loved one who has passed away and the family that is going through this difficult time I would strongly encourage you to go somewhere else. We entrusted our very special loved one to them and I can say the experience was bad from start to finish. A business like this should do everything they can for families to make this time as easy as possible. More tears were shed over the way they handled our loved one that could have been avoided if we chose a company that actually cares about the families. read more

Thank you Sharon for your very special touch for my dad's funeral service! Not only were you able to handle the catering location issues, but you were there to handle all the little details that tend to escape families dealing with a loss. Thank you for also understanding what is needed to arrange for a Military funeral and for being able to coordinate with the National Cemetery to have all the special details taken cared of. All your vendors, especially the folks that took care of the video memorial CD are exceptional. You're kind heart shows in the way you care for families! Thank you is not enough to express our gratitude! read more

Matthew R Box @ Sharon, at A Special Touch Funeral Service has been just outstanding. I have nev...er meet a person with so much dignity & Integrity, in regards to making arraingments for my friend. I Highly reccomend her.See More Matthew Box The Blue Sage Catering Company . read more

Sharon Mace is one of the most kind hearted, respectful and helpful people I've met. She has helped me with 2 rather sudden cremations. The first in 2006 when my mother passed suddenly. I called and in she came like a knight in shining amour she knew exactly what to do and how to get it done and I never even left my home. She had my mother picked up and transported before the hour was up and it was all effortless during this grieving time. The next day my family went in to her office and did the official paperwork, the part we all dread you know. when we got there we were welcomed with open arms. the process was as easy as it can be in that hard time. we picked the most beautiful urn I have ever seen. we left feeling at peace with what had happen and that was all thanks to Sharon. A few days later I received my moms remains and let me tell you the urn is soooo beautiful. I love to look at my mother every day. Fast Forward to 2017 my father passed suddenly and I was devastated the second person I called was Sharon with horrible sobs coming out that I again needed her services and she did just that. she stepped in and spoke with the all the correct people to get my fathers body released. She told me to go rest and she would handle it and she stuck to her word. she called me a couple hours later saying arrangement had been made. I once again went to her office and was met with a hug and was treated with the kindness that really puts your soul at ease. once again we sat and did the paperwork and picked the most gorgeous urn I had ever seen. and a about a week later I received my fathers remains and when I opened it I cried. It was gorgeous and so fitting for my father. They now sit together. My experience was amazing for despite the grief. I tell everyone I know about Sharon Mace before and after a loss. she works wonders.. Thank you Sharon for making the process so painless and easy.. read more

I personally used Sharon's services to prepare a pre-need for myself. Her ability to help one prepare for their last party was superb. She was very compassionate, caring and she made it easy. But, most important, I referred her to a friend of mine who had a very ill husband. When he passed, Sharon was right there and did all the necessary arrangements even though it was 1:00 a.m! I would highly recommend A Special Touch Funeral and Cremation Service. read more

Having cared for my mother full time for the past year this decision to have A Special Touch take care of her after she passed has been the worst decision of my life. I was told by hospice at 2am the morning of passing that the funeral home would contact that day at 1pm to set up the appt to come into their office to go over how our family would like to proceed with her remains. I waited... waited and then called the office at 2pm. I was told that I was suppose to call them!! I was also told of all the documentation that I would need to proceed with the course of action. Not having enough time to get everything together the appt was set for the next day. Upon arriving at the funeral home nothing was ready. I filled out all the paperwork for them. They had my mom's name spelled incorrectly even after I had repeated it several times the day before. We finished our business and were told by Larry that we would get a call at the end of the week or the following week. The following week came to be told she was not ready. At 16 days I called Larry to be put off because he was at physical therapy with his wife. So I took matters into my own hands and called the crematory to find out that they were waiting for the permit from A Special Touch. Think about how that feels to call and find out your loved one is being stored in some facility while all along you think the process is being handled professionally. In between all this they don't have a qualified person to post obituaries. Take a close look at their website there were no obituaries posted for 6 months! Later that afternoon I receive a TEXT MESSAGE from Larry at 4pm that reads "She is being cremated today." What a blow! The next day I get a TEXT MESSAGE that says "Please call to make an appointment to pick up your mother's ashes." I did pick them up and they were not prepared as we had requested. Another blow! I wrote a letter to the owner on Monday, July 23rd. To date I have yet to hear back from her. As of today, Wednesday, July 25th I have yet to receive my mothers death certificate. Can't finish all the legal stuff that needs to be done without the certificates!!! A Special Touch.... not so special when it comes to taking care of someone that you love dearly. Especially when you are grieving the loss. SHAME ON YOU SPECIAL TOUCH SHARON & LARRY You should never have taken the responsibility of my mother. We paid for a service that was not a service and you know it. read more

I made a Yelp account specifically to write this review, that's how strongly I feel that you should NOT do business here! If I could give less then one star, I would, and I'd probably choose -8827278283983 stars instead. A Special Touch directed my father's remains after an autopsy to be sent to Bay Area Mortuary Services (BAMS) to have him displayed for his service and shipped to his second funeral in his hometown. BAMS did such a terrible job in every aspect. Not only did my father look nothing like his handsome self for his California service, but the lack of care put into transferring his body nearly resulted in his family never being able to see him again. My family and I almost had to relive the shocking loss of my dad all over again; luckily, Kutis Funeral Home in St.Louis, MO put in the extra effort and made my dad look fabulous for his service. All he needed was concealer over a gash on his forehead and several bruises, new clothes, a new casket, and some simple human decency. Sharon from A Special Touch kindly offered to cover the cost of the new casket to me and several others, but now (8 months later) the casket has still not been paid for, and the good people at Kutis, me, and my family are all left hanging. If you want to ensure that your loved one will be well taken care of (or even viewable) and your grieving experience respected, do not do business here. I don't know how these people can sleep at night. They're lucky my father isn't here to handle this himself. read more

When my husband entered Hospice Care it was suggested that I begin considering "arrangements". I received a list of recommended providers and began to research their websites and online reviews. I didn't want to speak to anyone by phone, as my husband was always close by. I emailed several of the providers on the list. Sharon at A Special Touch was simply amazing. She was compassionate, responsive and reassuring. A few weeks later, at almost 1:00 a.m. when Hospice pronounced my husband had passed, I was asked who they should call. I told them Sharon at A Special Touch. Sharon handled everything. I felt confident my husband was in the best of hands. She provided exceptional service. read more

I feel so very blessed to have found such an amazing service to help me with every single step of the difficult process when a loved one has moved on. There are so many things that you are not aware of that are needed to be taken care of. With A Special Touch, you have absolutely nothing to worry about because they take care of every single aspect including ones you don't think about like contacting social security, death certificates... The greatest gift is Sharon and her husband. Their warmth and passion for what they do shines through. My family thanks you from the bottom of our heart for the special service you provide. read more

This service handled the funeral and burial of my mother-in-law last October. The cost was under $6,000, for service, hearse, limos, flowers, and casket. The funeral director (this is a one-woman operation) was sensitive, caring, and efficient. She treated the family with respect, and made us feel as though we were members of her own family. Five Stars is really not quite good enough. I heartily recommend A Special Touch Funeral & Cremation Service. read more

Sharon handled my grandmother's funeral service and it was superb. Her compassion and patience during the planning was very relieving during my time of grief. I have never planned a funeral before and she helped me make the perfect choices for the service while keeping it affordable. The service was a wonderful tribute to my grandmother's 100 years of life. I hope I do not need A Special Touch's services again, but when I do I will definitely call Sharon. read more

I highly recommend this service to anyone needing a funeral or cremation. I did a pre-need so that when I pass on my family won't have to pay for anything. My pre-need covers my cremation, and even the memorial service with the music that I want played! Give them a call and get your pre-need done today. The woman that owns this service is very understanding. read more