Welcome! I’m Ken Varner, President and CEO of Cypress Lawn. We’re so glad you’ve stopped by our new website and recently launched blog. We hope you’ll spend some time getting to know our staff, viewing our grounds, and seeing what others have to say about us.

We’re excited about the opportunity to interact with our friends and neighbors through this blog and on our vibrant Facebook community. Did you know there are an estimated 2.5 million blog posts published on the internet each day? So, out of those millions of options, why do we think you’ll take the time to read our blog?

We think if one or more of these five things are true about you, you’ll soon be calling us your new favorite blog:

1.) If you are interested in learning about the rich cultures that make living in the Bay Area unique.

Cypress Lawn truly tells the story of the cultural mosaic that makes up our community. Just read the hundreds of tributes that fill our rolling, green hills.

You’ll find Italian, Irish, Latin American, Asian, Armenian, Iranian, and Samoan surnames, among others, weaving together a visual tapestry of our diversity.

This blog will be infused with the same appreciation for understanding and honoring different traditions, cultures, and beliefs. We think it’s one of the many things that makes the Bay Area great.

2.) If you are looking for ways to work through your own grief and find closure.

From interviews with counselors to making connections with grief resources, our responsibility to helping you doesn’t end after the funeral service is over. We envision this blog becoming a helping hand to you when you need it most. Cypress Lawn and our entire family of funeral homes (Crosby N. Gray, Miller Dutra, Sneider Sullivan & O’Connell) are here to serve you and your loved ones.

3.) If you think making end-of-life plans in advance is important.

If there’s a common thread we see among those who choose to preplan their funeral arrangements, it’s a deep sense of responsibility – to their partner, their children, and their own legacy. We’re going to bring you helpful articles, resources, and ideas to make your prearrangements as simple and meaningful as you want them to be. If you would like to learn more about how cremation might fit into your prearrangements, be sure to visit Cypress Lawn Cremation Society.

4.) If you have an interest in Bay Area history.

The beautiful Noble Chapel at Cypress Lawn.

While our eye is continually on the future, our roots in this area go incredibly deep. For generations, we have been serving the people of California during some of their most difficult moments. Our historic property is home to century-old chapels like Noble Chapel (pictured on the left), and many notable Californians have made our grounds their final resting place.

Our landmark 200-acre grounds belong not only to the families and friends of the loved ones laid to rest here but also to the general public. To preserve and promote this rich heritage for future generations, we founded the Cypress Lawn Heritage Foundation. The general public is welcome to walk our grounds with our detailed maps or attend docent-led tours and lectures on a variety of topics.

British historian and writer, Lord Acton, once said, “History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul.” We see that time and time again in our work, and we want to bring to you the power that comes from understanding your roots.

5.) If you’re looking for ways to celebrate your life – while you’re still here and after you’ve departed.

It might seem odd for a funeral home to say our blog will celebrate life, but it’s true. It’s really what we do every day when helping families say goodbye to the people they love. We feel funeral services have less to do with death and more to do with celebrating the life that was lived. Whether it’s a post about creating special moments with family, or an article addressing how to express your final wishes through preplanning, we will be there to help you embrace your life and build your legacy.

So, if you fall into one of these categories, we want to say welcome. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, and join us. You’ve found a blog home where you can learn, ask questions, and interact with like-minded people.