With an ailing older brother whose health was failing rapidly,, I was recently faced with arranging…read morefor the handling of his earthly remains. Although a transplant from the East over 30 years ago, I had no experience working with anyone from the funeral business out here. I might add that I come from 3 generations of funeral directors and I consider my late father to have run the most professional funeral home business ever. So back to the task at hand and reaching out to the various entities that serve Marin County, I was made aware of the preponderance of large corporations now running funeral homes that were likely originally single-owner businesses.There is often nothing wrong with consolidation within industries, but in my calls I found only one business that still seemed professional, caring and had true ties within the community. That was Monte's Chapel of the Hills. Over the phone, Brian Hood answered all of my questions and guided me through the process of what to expect once my brother passed. At the end of the day, I had decided Monte's would be my choice. Almost a month later, my brother passed away. I reached back out to Brian and he remembered me and everything we had talked about. I felt relief that he was able step in and provide the kind services that we had discussed. Monte's lived up to my expectations and I am very satisfied with their services and support.

One of the oldest funeral homes in the area, we used it to prepare our son's funeral. Absolutely…read moreprofessional and without pretense, Directors Brian Hood and Fiona Norte treated us as good friends. They were wonderful in many ways. Our 47 year old son had died of a massive heart attack when his aorta burst. Fortunately he was inside on a conference call at a local yacht club. Coroner and police were called and sent his body to Monte's. We did not want his body embalmed, only displayed for a private viewing followed by cremation. Brian honored our wishes. I have attended to many funerals in my life and have seen very bad make-up jobs and dreaded seeing my son looking like a made-up clown. I was so relieved to see him in a display coffin looking like he was asleep. I wish I could have touched his forehead and brought him back. His wife and sons, along with my wife, his brother and I were very pleased. Thank you Monte's. Later in the week, I met with Brian to pay for his services and to get his advise on next steps. He had a great check list and went over it with me in great detail. DMV, social security, banking, credit reporting agencies, insurance, financial accounts, deeds and titles were covered, along with suggestions on how to precede. Golly...I felt fully prepared and went over it all with our son's wife. A very shocking and sad occasion brought us, fortunately, to Monte's and we highly recommend you keep Monte's Chapel of the Hills in your memory for when you really need someone to trust. Thanks again, Brian and Monte's.

We had a truly beautiful experience with Valley Memorial Park Cemetery, Funeral Home, and Reception…read moreCenter during one of the most difficult times in our lives. From the very beginning, their team was patient, compassionate, and never made us feel rushed or pressured. After a previous experience with another funeral home where everything felt urgent, this was completely different. The atmosphere here was serene, welcoming, and allowed us the space to breathe, ask questions, and make decisions with care. We genuinely felt supported every step of the way. Because of this experience, I now feel inspired to plan my own arrangements ahead of time so my family can focus on grieving and being together, rather than navigating logistics during such a painful time. I am deeply grateful for the care they provided. 10/10, and I would highly recommend them to anyone in need of compassionate and professional funeral services.

Valley Memorial was wonderfully helpful and kind when my dad passed 9 months ago with his handling,…read morecremation and everything that goes with it.. I would have highly recommend ed and given them 5 stars even then. But now, I'd give them 10 stars if I could. They were amazing as I navigated through last minute, challenging complications with my mom's remains leading up to her burial.... and they didn't even handle her or cremate her when she passed (an East Bay mortuary did). They truly went above and beyond even coming to pick up my moms remains at my home and finding a way to ensure it would arrive safely close to her burial site since I could not take her on a plane with her urn. They were kind, compassionate, professional, thorough, and go above and beyond at a time when it's really needed. Thank you Eugene, in particular!

Dear Jack, With…read moresincere appreciation I would like to Thank You and your staff for all you have done to make my nephews funeral so wonderful in such a tragic circumstance. So many of the guests said how nice the services were and what a memorable experience it was. That could only be with the help of you and your staff. You did everything you said you would do and I really really appreciate that. Warm regards.

WARNING: The state has revoked this business's cemetery license and seized its funds due to…read moremismanagement. You cannot buy new plots here. Check contract fine print for hidden opening/closing fees.

I'm sad to say that we did not have a great experience with Keaton's. After hearing it was the…read morepremium mortuary to use, we decided to go with them. They were very compassionate & respectful when my father passed HOWEVER, paperwork was bundled (on their part) and it took 3 WEEKS before he was cremated. We were given dates that were not met and ultimately it took 3 weeks before he was cremated. We were told that this was standard...it's not. I love giving positive reviews however I also feel it necessary to let people know about our experience. I can't recommend Keaton's. I hope for their sake and the sake of families who use their services, that they get the back office (Admin, logistics) sorted out.

Truly inspired by their completely mind-blowing insensitivity to leave a review…read more The first thing they did when we called was to tell us that the plans we had set five years earlier would not work and we had to use them for everything. They pretty much said and did everything wrong and seemed to go out of their way to be rude, uncompassionate, and try to take advantage of our situation to make money. It was remarkable how insensitive and rude they were. We ended up firing them and working with Brian at Montes in San Anselmo - and Montes was totally the opposite, very thoughtful, compassionate, tactful, and respectful - not even wanting to talk about taking payment until everything was taken care of. Brian is amazing and was totally supportive and perfect.

I wish I could find the right words to thank the Neptune…read moreSociety..... My grandparents purchased this for themselves in the 90's. My grandfather passed 13 years ago and my grandma a month ago... I had a bias of the Neptune Society based on the great experience with my grandfather. I am glad that bias wasn't wrong. Sophia, DeMarcus, Daniel, & Jordana handled my family and our final wishes with a respect and understanding beyond compare... NorCal was dealing with floods and power outages and they never wavered in their care and attentiveness to our needs... Great company and dedication to their clients and family. Thank you

Ms. Jordana Hall took care of my Mother following her passing…read more She was professional efficient and made the process as easy as possible. I would highly recommend her and Neptune Society to anyone.

You don't typically think about funeral homes until you suddenly need one. My mom of 91 years old…read morehad entered hospice and we knew the end was coming. So I didn't have very much time to do any research, but in speaking to the hospice people and a few others, the name of Adobe Creek kept coming up. I was a bit under the gun because my daughter needed to return to college and we wanted to make sure that she was here for the service. The cremation, which my mother requested, took about a week. Everything went smoothly and I had about as good as an experience as you could imagine. Other than the cremation, getting the death certificate and selecting an urn I didn't use all of their services, but my experience was top-notch. Leekiesha was the person who helped me and she did a great job.

wow they forgot to put the middle name of the death certificate. NO call just left it blank. 'I…read morefilled out all,the information they asked and they didn't put her alternate maiden name in also JEFF likes to hold on to your money as he likes to change the agreement whenever he chooses . FIRST he said get your mom and we will return every penny then he decided he'd keep ,my loved one and my money via text. No return slip ever sent open request, Even though we had a blessing he scheduled it right before and didn't not arrange with doctor to ouch the hour making everyone on edge himself and the priest, i think that's called hostage, LOOK for a place that doesn't cut corners. UNETHICAL He also called and said nithung was in the books after I planned everything woth an employee but changed everything and made us feel like we imoosed in them and said I was in his office too long Other establishments in Sonoma I felt not so unhinged,

Everything! From cost, ease of booking, flexibility, wonderful crew-Effe and Ruby! And they…read moreproduced glorious weather!

Went out on the Bay Wolf today, with captain Ruby and crew Fallon. There were 10 of us in my party…read more We spread my wife's ashes in Kirby Cove, in the same spot where we spread my mother-in-law and father-in-law's ashes some years before. Ruby and Fallon were wonderful, showing a true love of the sea and answering our many questions about landmarks, currents and wildlife as we sailed out on the bay. I think my wife would have approved; we did it up right. Thanks so much to Neptune Memorials for making this a wonderful day.

I am deeply disappointed and frustrated by the lack of empathy and professional flexibility shown…read moreby the staff at Pleasant Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary. We are currently navigating the devastating loss of my close relative, who passed away while under the 'care' of her 'husband.' Despite the fact that the biological family--not the 'husband'--has fully funded the burial and the headstone, the administration is stubbornly siding with his demand to include his name on the monument. Without a head stone it has been very difficult for mourning family to even identify where she is buried. They have refused all attempts at compromise. The cemetery personnel have remained completely intransigent, ignoring the family's wishes and the specific circumstances of this tragedy. Rather than being a place of peace and healing, their rigid adherence to "standard protocol" over common sense and financial responsibility has added unnecessary trauma to an already heartbreaking situation. If you are looking for a facility that values the input of the grieving family members who are actually responsible for the arrangements, look elsewhere.

My family laid my Great Grandmother and Great Grandfather to rest here, so when my Grandmother…read morepassed this where she wanted to be. First of all, it is a BEAUTIFUL location, so peaceful. My Grandmother's service was last year and the woman we worked with was great. Since her service I have visited monthly and always bring a bouquet of silk flowers for my visit with her. The first handful of months when I would visit, the flowers I had brought her were still present in their small terracotta pot that I arranged them in (with the green styrofoam in the bottom of the pot--as one would do to secure the flowers from flying away or falling). As the months went by, and I went to visit, the flowers from the previous visit would be removed, which bothered me a bit but I didn't think too much into it, as there were many rainy days. This past month I visited once again and her flowers were once again removed, but this time, the terracotta pot was left behind. The flowers removed and styrofoam removed, which had to take some effort because I am sure to jam it down into the bottom of the pot. Not only was the empty pot just sitting there, but there was TRASH IN IT next to my Grandmother's plot. Needless to say, that was the point of me being officially upset. I went to the office and waited for someone to come out so I could speak to them and figure out what the deal was with maintenance, thinking maybe they have a system in place where they dispose of flowers after a certain amount of time. A woman did eventually come out, not the sweet lady that helped with my Grandmother's service, but another woman who I wish I had got her name, but I didn't. Either way, I explained the situation and concerns, and asked if there was a schedule for disposing flowers so I could adjust my visits accordingly to be sure my Grandmother has flowers rather than nothing or an empty pot with trash in it. The woman informed me that they actually don't allow "decorations" and any "decorations" are disposed of whenever the landscapers come across them. I was taken back and had to clarify, that she did in fact mean that flowers were considered "decorations" and that they were not allowed, to which she said "yes, that is correct". I looked on their website and see nothing about this but conveniently see a whole section about sending flowers. I find this very off putting and in poor taste. Especially given that throughout the property there are many trees with ornaments in them in honor of peoples loved ones who have passed, and flowers all over the property. I hope that the owner or director can provide information about this on their website, as I am sure I am not the only one who enjoys visiting their loved ones and bringing flowers. I am going back next week and I am hoping that if my Grandmother's flowers were once again disposed of that they did not leave an empty pot next to her plot to become a trash can. I will not be as kind and understanding if that is the case.

I highly recommend Pacific Internment for their help and service in facilitating our Green burial…read more Amanda is a joy to work with and was so knowledgeable and helpful with all my many phone calls to her. At the Green burial site, Frank, was beyond helpful in the burying of my friend. We couldn't have managed it without him. Pacific Internment is a class act and anyone using their services would be pleased. Thank you Amanda and Frank for making this unbearable time for us easier. Rinette Turner

I'm so sorry for your loss. And yet, it's inevitable for all of us…read more Let the lovely folks here take care of you and your loved one who has died. Transparent pricing and clear communication and no BS. I made the mistake of calling another place and got spammed with calls and emails from my one inquiry. The absolute last thing I needed when dealing with the grief of loss and of course all the other things that need to happen with a death. They picked her up. They provided the death certificates. They had environmentally friendly options for cremation, although we didn't go with that option because of price and also it wasn't her wishes. They also answered the phone at all hours. Because death happens outside of business hours. May this transition of your loved one also be an opening for you. Holding you with so much tenderness.