I can't thank Ave Maria Memorial Chapel enough for everything they did for us. Losing someone is never easy, and we honestly didn't know where to start. From the very beginning, their team was so kind, patient, and understanding about our situation. They walked us through every step of the process, explained everything clearly, and never made us feel rushed or pressured. It wasn't just about paperwork they really listened and supported us when we needed it the most. If you're going through a loss and need guidance, I highly recommend Ave Maria Memorial Chapel. They made a very difficult time a little easier to get through, and I'm truly grateful for their compassion. read more

I can not give a review of the interactions of arranging for services here as another family member was involved at that level. I don't think there were any issues with that stage. The chapel was clean, and nice enough. No complaints there. Bottled water offered to those attending: check. Sufficient Kleenex boxes available: check. But the experience following services were unforgivable and I would wish this on NOONE. We lined up for the auto procession to the cemetery. I SPECIFICALLY asked for the stickers or placards for the cars which stated "FUNERAL". Was told we didn't need them. Yes. We needed them. The hearse driver took no care whatsoever to drive in a manner that would allow the procession of cars to remain behind him. A bigger problem since all in attendance were from out of town. Being the second car after the hearse I was able to keep sight of the vehicle and frantically messaged my family on how to keep up. The driver did not know the correct way to the cemetery, took a wrong turn, causing a bigger cluster in all the vehicles trying to do u turns on a small street and then once again taking no care in whether or not we could keep up with him. All of this could have been just an annoyance and I probably would not have taken my time to write this lengthy review. My frustration was very clear upon finally parking . With my mother's casket still in the hearse, the Ave Maria Memorial Chapel employee/hearse driver confronted me saying "Is there a problem?" I very clearly stated "yes there is, but this is not the time to deal with it". He forcefully and rudely continued to push the matter despite my pointing out to him that this was my mothers burial and I was not going to have that discussion there with him. He did not drop it. Would he have had this same interaction with a male of the same tall stature as him, rather than a 5'2" woman? Who knows. It would have been equally inappropriate and I hope you get the picture. This staff member's behaviour was rude, unprofessional, inappropriate and unforgivable; about as far from "compassionate and caring" "patient and helpful" as described in another review as possible. read more

We went for a dear friend's funeral and it was the best I've ever attended. There was no sermon, no speech by a total stranger about the deceased. It was facilitated by our friend's niece. A couple of other relatives spoke and then the mike was open for the guests to speak. Really more of a Celebration of Life. Spacious and nice chapel. read more

Family oriented business with a staff that is very compassionate, caring & oh so helpful. Our heartbreak & loss was met with personal care, patients & help, guiding us all the way to the finality. Thank You Family & Staff at Ave Maria, our Family will be forever Grateful read more

It was a sad day and this place made it worse. Just went to my friend's viewing there. It was a horrible experience. EVERYONE was dripping sweat. I seen maybe two portable air conditioners and not enough paper towels to wipe our sweat. It was clean though and I guess you get what you pay for. read more

Nothing could have made the experience better or easier. At a really tough time, they came through and guided me through the whole process. Matt was amazing. Thank you so very much. read more

Really, there should be an option for zero stars but, you know... math. Edgar was extremely rude to me on the phone today. My mother unexpectedly went into hospice a week ago and she had made no plans for her "departure". I am overwhelmed with everything that I am suddenly responsible for on her behalf - not to mention paying for. I was trying to ask questions about prices and he kept cutting me off, telling me that he had already explained XYZ to me (he hadn't), and when I tried to clarify the numbers he was giving me, he rushed me off the phone and told me he would email me instead. He practically hung up on me. I had originally emailed this business and instead of emailing information to me, he had asked me to call him. I guess he realized that I wasn't going to spend a ton of money so I wasn't worth is time. It seems like perhaps they are one of the more affordable places for cremation services. Instead I'm choosing to spend a little more money because I do not want to support a business that treats people like that in their time of need. I was shocked that this man was speaking in that manner to someone trying to figure out how to plan for cremation services for a dying parent. read more

We used the services of Ave Maria recently for my grandmother's cremation. We primarily dealt with Madison and she was extremely professional and they were so accommodating in a difficult time. Five stars for the work they do. Thank you for all your help. read more

I am beyond grateful for Martha and her staff; they all were so helpful and extremely pleasant! They guided us through every step of the way. I can't thank them enough for all they did for our family. Thank you, Robert & Teresa Gil Cody & Carmen Gil Jayson & Martha Henri read more

I have used Ave Maria on two different occasions years apart & I have to say they are professional, sympathetic, & at a time when most are not thinking clearly (as I was def not) the personnel that I dealt with were very clear on charges, options & answered any questions I had with grace. Patrick was amazing & thorough as well as Madison. Its a hard enough ordeal we have to go through, it's a great peace of mind to know there are caring people who can put you at ease. Thank You. read more

Compassionate and friendly service, lowest prices in Santa Cruz county. Family owned and operated.

thank you Ava Maria for your professional and personal attention you gave to our family. The patience, kindness and guidance made everything manageable for us. Your staff is the best! read more

I am greatly appalled at the party which took place on May 12, 2018. After the numerous tears by the public that have been shed on the property. It is time we vote that the Ave Maria Memorial Chapel be removed from the center of our beloved Watsonville City to the out skirts of the public eye. Estoy muy consternado por la fiesta que tuvo lugar el 12 de mayo de 2018. Después de las numerosas lágrimas del público que se han derramado sobre la propiedad. Es hora de que votemos que la Capilla Conmemorativa Ave Maria sea removida del centro de nuestra querida ciudad de Watsonville a las faldas del ojo público. read more

I recently attended a funeral here and I was impressed by how professional the staff was and how well the place was run. All the staff were available and attentive. They came out and offered bottled water and tissues to everyone. The place was clean and well kept. The funeral went smoothly. read more

I've never written a YELP review, but after this very emotional time, I simply have to say THANK YOU to the entire staff at Ave Maria for assisting our family in this most sensitive time. Pat, Debbie, Matt, Jordi and the team surrounded us with support at every turn. The video with music Matt provided was so important to us as we wanted to share visually the life of our remarkable mom. This is a uncharted path in a family's life; saying goodbye to a loved one, and our family is thankful to have Ave Maria helping us through it. Thanks Terri and George Amorin Steven and Susan Pengelly John and Sheri Pengelly read more

Ave Maria Memorial Chapel offers full service care for the deceased, their family and friends. We had the sad experience of having a sudden death with the necessity to have a last minute, Saturday cremation. Funeral Director Donald Payne and his wife and other employees were more than up to the difficult task involving paperwork, many visitors and special requests. Their efficient, dignified crematorium is at 127 Hecker Pass Road in Watsonville CA 95077.The Chapel is at 609 Main Street Watsonville, CA 95076 The lovely and peaceful grounds were big enough for our large crowd. Pricing is reasonable, and the service and good will can't be beat. They are accommodating to all religious faiths. I highly recommend these kind professionals. Thanks from our friends and family, The Lama Family Santa Cruz, CA read more

Having never experienced handling arrangements for the death of a loved one, I really had no idea what to expect. I recently and unexpectedly lost my father and I had been told of how complicated handling the arrangements may be, but I dealt with nothing of the sorts with Ave Maria Memorial Chapel. They handled everything after my initial phone call and did so with such kindness and compassion for what I was going through. Everything happened very quickly, and I was in such a fog. They guided me every step of the way and I cannot say enough about this family owned and operated business. My family truly thanks them from the bottom of our hearts. read more

i cannot say enough of this family that operates this Chapel. Willing to work with me and my family. so helpful with information regarding costs and whom to contact if I needed anything. Love you all so much and thanks again! The Cotelo Family read more

The only reason I'm giving them any stars is because the funeral home is really nice and ample. Other than that the service wasn't great. I lost my father and we came to them to help us with the services and so forth but every time we came in to talk to someone a different person would talk to us when we specifically had an appointment with somebody else. The ladies weren't attentive at all and were very unsympathetic for the whole situation. They kept giving us different rates trying to charge things that had originally been promised to us. The day of the service the ladies working that night kept complaining about there being crumbs on the floor because of the children. They were supposed to show the service in the other room for the people that couldn't be in the main room but didn't. The DVD that they did of pictures wasn't what we were told it was going to be. When guests started showing up and they started asking the ladies from the funeral home where to get coffee they were rude and gave them attitude saying that if they wanted something they had to figure it out for themselves. They were given specific instructions as to what to clothe my father with but everything was different when the time came. We had asked for my fathers thumbprints so that we could be engraved necklaces with his print and of course they didn't get his prints in time so that we could have that memory. Everything was just frustrating and I wished we had gone with a different funeral home so we could at least had a pleasant goodbye with my father. I do not recommend this place. read more

After experiencing an unexpected death in the family this last week, and having to make funeral arrangements, a comment that someone once said crossed my mind. "Ave Maria Memorial is very family oriented" so we decided to go with them. Words cannot express how thankful we are for their outstanding service during this difficult time. When the family is going through this it seems unreal and they were there to take care of us from beginning to end. Very compassionate and we really couldn't ask for more. It really touched my heart when the guest were done placing a flower on the top of the casket, each worker from Ave Maria grabbed a flower to place themselves and pay their respects to our loved one. My family would like to thank them from the bottom of our heart. read more

The staff was so kind to my family when my father passed away, The staff was understanding of our situation, they helped us with everything, my father died out of the area, they took pride in making my father look good, and were very respectful about our wishes, as a Jehova's witness, it's different what cannot be done and they understood, down to no images on the cards and allowing us to pick the text. It was a very hard situation that was made better by their understanding and compasión. Everyone, from the owners, the embalmer, the driver, Martha (who I met with initially and overlooked the entire process) and the rest of the staff (I have forgotten their names) gave us great service. They really gave my father and my family the upmost respect and care. read more

I never thought I would be reviewing a funeral chapel but our experience here was so good that I felt compelled to write a review. We recently lost a family member and needed a simple cremation. We wanted to do a scattering at sea and a celebration of life at our own venue. Although we were only purchasing the least expensive and basic service they offered, we were treated with the greatest dignity and respect. There was absolutely no attempt to up-sell. It's a family run business. It feels like family and they treat you like family. The people at Ave Maria were absolutely wonderful and supportive, and they helped through every step of the process. Their prices were reasonable and I can highly recommend them. read more

This is bar the best chapel run business. They have been so kind to me and my family with helping me plan my daughters services. They have been patient, compassionate and just amazing from top to bottom. I would recommend this business over x1000000 and then some. Ave Maria will hold a special place in my heart. Truly the best of the best. Thank you everyone at Ave Maria from Arcelia Lopez, Israel Garcia and family. R.I.P Jayde Garcia 11/15/2005-2/1/2016 read more