Santa Clara Cemetery & Mortuary

Shoutout to Angie. She made my family’s difficult time just a bit easier, explained everything as well as handled everything the day of very professionally. Without her it likely would’ve been a lot more difficult to navigate.

Our family was VERY pleased with the services provided to us. We specifically want to thank Vaneza, Angie and Daniel as being very responsive. For those going through this the first time we recommend you ask for: • Vocabulary: Clarity re: item such as honorarium, embalming vs. refrigeration, internment, committal, vault, and marketing forms such as the “Circle of Protection” • Mortuary vs. Cemetery: Clarity re: the separation between these two entities and the legal process for providing access to communicate and make decisions specifically related to Advanced Health Care Directives. • Timelines: Clarity on timelines for scheduling services in advance. Our family assumed using the chapel would be more efficient; later we found out later the wait would be minimally 2 weeks. • Priests/ Musicians: Clarity re: availability/ cost for these important members of the service. There are different issues for churches vs. chapel. • Eulogies: Because we were initially not using our own priest we were given a 2-3 min limit, which was upsetting and insensitive. Once we provided our own priest, we were told he would decide the length of eulogies. Brian J.

Today, while decorating my loved one’s grave ahead of Día de los Muertos, I had a very upsetting experience. I brought a garland and pumpkin solar stake lights—the same kind that many other graves around the cemetery had. When the first grounds worker told us we couldn’t place them, we respectfully agreed to remove them. Shortly after, a second worker arrived and said the same. We explained that we were going to remove the items, but they both continued arguing.We asked why other graves still had the same decorations. One worker even said to the other, “they are right, we should remove them,” but the other replied, “No, that’s upsetting for the families when they come and see things taken off.” One even stayed nearby telling us how to decorate. This made us feel singled out, uncomfortable, and anxious, unable to spend peaceful time with our loved one. It was especially upsetting seeing that other graves still had the same decorations. We understand there are rules, but they should be applied fairly to every grave. People should be treated with compassion, especially during this meaningful time of remembrance.

It was a beautiful presentation. I could hear everything and very much appreciated the focused views. The priest did an amazing job! The staff appeared very attentive to my father & family, much obliged.

Unkept Mausoleum, no groundsmen available outdoors, old dirty flowers not cleaned up, saddest situation of a working cemetery I’ve seen. No pride taken in the way this cemetery looks. This was at 10:25 a.m. on a Friday.