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Situated at the crest of the Montara mountain range, Skylawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park is truly a place like no other. It is both dramatic and serene, with stunning views of San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

At Skylawn, we understand that losing someone you love is one of life’s most difficult experiences, and that’s why it’s so important to us that our clients feel like an extension of our own family. Our incredible team of professionals have many years of experience, and as we comfort families in times of loss, we work tirelessly to ensure they’re all treated with compassion and respect.

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News

Why Choose Cremation?
Although burial has traditionally been the preferred option in the United States, cremation is becoming increasingly popular. In fact, cremation outpaced burial in this country in 2015, and the trend is continuing. Is it the right option for you? Some people worry that their faith will prohibit them from being cremated, but in fact, many organized religions now acknowledge the
Read More >>

The Swedish Art of Death Cleaning: Is It For You?
The Swedish practice of dostadning — otherwise known as “death cleaning — is gaining popularity in the United States, and it’s not as morbid as it sounds. Explained by Swedish author Margareta Magnusson in her book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, dostadning is the process of minimizing in preparation for the end of life. It’s all about beginning to downsize in order to make life easier for
Read More >>
How to Comfort Bereaved Parents
Losing a loved one is always difficult and painful. Losing a child can be a particularly devastating loss. How can you help parents who have experienced this kind of tragedy? It’s not difficult to find a way to reach out. The important thing is to make an effort to let the grieving parents know you care.
Read More >>

How to Reach Out During the Holidays
For many of us, the holidays are a warm and happy time. We gather with loved ones, fondly remember holidays past and celebrate the cheer of the season. People who are struggling with grief or depression, however, don’t often see the holidays that way. Especially if the loss of a loved one is fresh, the person might be
Read More >>
Jeffrey Abitsch
Jeffrey Abitsch passed away November 11, 2018. Arrangements have been entrusted to Skylawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Highway 92 @ Skyline Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94402 650-349-4411. Service details and obituary will be posted as soon as they become available.
Read More >>

Aretha Franklin and John McCain: Grieving the Loss of Two Legends
August this year saw the death of two legendary Americans: the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, to pancreatic cancer on August 16, and war hero and politician John McCain, to brain cancer on August 29. These two strong-minded people had very different funerals. Aretha Franklin’s lasted for eight hours and featured musical performances by a wide range of artists including Ariana Grande, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Hudson and Faith Hill.
Read More >>
How Long is Too Long for an Obituary?
If a loved one has died, you may be asked to write an obituary. It may seem like a daunting task, and many people wonder if they’ve written enough or rambled on for too long. How long should an obituary be? The average is about 200 words, with some reaching more than 400 and others as brief as 50.
Read More >>

What to Do Next: FAQs about Death and Funerals
When a loved one dies, there are suddenly many decisions to make and questions to answer. It can feel overwhelming and you may not know where to start. This helpful list of frequently asked questions will guide you as you navigate this difficult and unfamiliar terrain. What do I do when a death occurs? Call us immediately at (650) 227-3142. We’re here
Read More >>
Poems Befitting a Funeral
Readings at funerals in the past have traditionally been from a religious text. However, modern funerals can be designed to reflect your personality, and readings can range from literary passages to song lyrics and everything in between. Here are a few excerpts from poems that might appeal to you for a funeral service. When I am dead, my dearest – Christina Rosetti: When I am dead, my
Read More >>

What Is Meant by “Dying Well?”
Death is a certainty for all of us, but it’s not one we like to think about often. It can be uncomfortable to spend time thinking or talking about death because it means addressing our own mortality. On the other hand, it may be healthy to give it some thought. Recently, there’s been talk in
Read More >>

Why Choose Cremation?
Although burial has traditionally been the preferred option in the United States, cremation is becoming increasingly popular. In fact, cremation outpaced burial in this country in 2015, and the trend is continuing. Is it the right option for you? Some people worry that their faith will prohibit them from being cremated, but in fact, many organized religions now acknowledge the Read More >>
The Swedish Art of Death Cleaning: Is It For You?
The Swedish practice of dostadning — otherwise known as “death cleaning — is gaining popularity in the United States, and it’s not as morbid as it sounds. Explained by Swedish author Margareta Magnusson in her book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, dostadning is the process of minimizing in preparation for the end of life. It’s all about beginning to downsize in order to make life easier for Read More >>
How to Comfort Bereaved Parents
Losing a loved one is always difficult and painful. Losing a child can be a particularly devastating loss. How can you help parents who have experienced this kind of tragedy? It’s not difficult to find a way to reach out. The important thing is to make an effort to let the grieving parents know you care. Read More >>
How to Reach Out During the Holidays
For many of us, the holidays are a warm and happy time. We gather with loved ones, fondly remember holidays past and celebrate the cheer of the season. People who are struggling with grief or depression, however, don’t often see the holidays that way. Especially if the loss of a loved one is fresh, the person might be Read More >>
Jeffrey Abitsch
Jeffrey Abitsch passed away November 11, 2018. Arrangements have been entrusted to Skylawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Highway 92 @ Skyline Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94402 650-349-4411. Service details and obituary will be posted as soon as they become available. Read More >>
Aretha Franklin and John McCain: Grieving the Loss of Two Legends
August this year saw the death of two legendary Americans: the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, to pancreatic cancer on August 16, and war hero and politician John McCain, to brain cancer on August 29. These two strong-minded people had very different funerals. Aretha Franklin’s lasted for eight hours and featured musical performances by a wide range of artists including Ariana Grande, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Hudson and Faith Hill. Read More >>
How Long is Too Long for an Obituary?
If a loved one has died, you may be asked to write an obituary. It may seem like a daunting task, and many people wonder if they’ve written enough or rambled on for too long. How long should an obituary be? The average is about 200 words, with some reaching more than 400 and others as brief as 50. Read More >>
What to Do Next: FAQs about Death and Funerals
When a loved one dies, there are suddenly many decisions to make and questions to answer. It can feel overwhelming and you may not know where to start. This helpful list of frequently asked questions will guide you as you navigate this difficult and unfamiliar terrain. What do I do when a death occurs? Call us immediately at (650) 227-3142. We’re here Read More >>
Poems Befitting a Funeral
Readings at funerals in the past have traditionally been from a religious text. However, modern funerals can be designed to reflect your personality, and readings can range from literary passages to song lyrics and everything in between. Here are a few excerpts from poems that might appeal to you for a funeral service. When I am dead, my dearest – Christina Rosetti: When I am dead, my Read More >>
What Is Meant by “Dying Well?”
Death is a certainty for all of us, but it’s not one we like to think about often. It can be uncomfortable to spend time thinking or talking about death because it means addressing our own mortality. On the other hand, it may be healthy to give it some thought. Recently, there’s been talk in Read More >>

Recent Obituaries

James Francis Mahon

March 24, 1931 - January 14, 2019

James Richard Stainton

July 22, 1963 - January 10, 2019

Jose Antonio Urquilla

April 4, 1952 - January 7, 2019

Upcoming Events

Begins

18 Jan

Funeral Planning Seminars

Join us for a discussion in a relaxed environment to learn about the importance of putting a plan in place today. There will be no selling — only information to share. Learn about: At-need versus pre-need benefits Veteran’s benefits Travel protection Why insurance should not be used for purchasing burial needs The 72 decisions that

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today, tomorrow and beyond.

Experience the Difference

News

Why Choose Cremation?

The Swedish Art of Death Cleaning: Is It For You?

How to Comfort Bereaved Parents

How to Reach Out During the Holidays

Jeffrey Abitsch

Aretha Franklin and John McCain: Grieving the Loss of Two Legends

How Long is Too Long for an Obituary?

What to Do Next: FAQs about Death and Funerals

Poems Befitting a Funeral

What Is Meant by “Dying Well?”