Business Details
Eco-Friendly Burial and Cremation Services in Mill Valley
Fernwood Cemetery & Funeral Home has been serving families in the San Francisco Bay Area since the late 1800s. As one of the country's first environmentally conscious cemeteries, we specialize in natural burial, green burial, traditional burial, and cremation services. Our 32-acre grounds, certified as a National Wildlife Federation Habitat, blend land restoration with memorialization, offering a serene space for remembrance. Our team collaborates with Jewish communities to provide Gan Yarok, America's first green Jewish cemetery, while maintaining traditional practices. The main building, designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, houses a landmark chapel and gathering spaces for memorial services.We prioritize simplicity, environmental stewardship, and personalized support during times of loss. Our cremation services utilize state-of-the-art equipment with natural gas to minimize environmental impact. The Remembrance Room provides a contemporary space for ceremonies, accommodating both immediate and future memorial events. We assist families in creating lasting tributes through engraved fieldstones, scattering gardens, and niche options. With deep roots in the community, we continue to honor the legacy of early Portuguese settlers buried here while innovating sustainable practices for future generations.
Services
Green Burial
Cremation Services
Traditional Burial
Jewish Burial
Memorial Planning
Pre-Planning Services
Scattering Gardens
Niche Interments
Eco-Friendly Urns
Historical Section Burials
Highlights and features
- We offer America's first green Jewish cemetery, Gan Yarok, combining tradition with sustainability.
- Our 32-acre grounds serve as a certified wildlife habitat for conservation and memorialization.
- We provide state-of-the-art cremation facilities using natural gas to reduce environmental impact.
- Our team has specialized expertise in both traditional and eco-conscious burial practices.
- We maintain historical connections to early Portuguese settlers while innovating modern services.
Associations and certifications
- National Wildlife Federation Certified Habitat
What people say
Compassionate staff
Unique and beautiful setting
Personalized service
Peaceful environment
Helped during difficult time
Services
Green Burial
Our green burial services eliminate embalming chemicals and non-biodegradable materials, allowing natural decomposition. The 32-acre certified wildlife habitat features hand-placed fieldstones instead of traditional headstones. This method supports land restoration while creating a living memorial through native plants and wildlife.
Cremation Services
Onsite cremation facilities use natural gas to reduce environmental impact. Options include witnessed cremation following European/Buddhist standards, direct cremation, and memorial services in our Remembrance Room. We provide diverse urn choices from hand-blown glass to natural biodegradable containers for eco-conscious families.
Jewish Burial
Gan Yarok offers the first green Jewish cemetery, developed with multiple congregations. It maintains traditional Jewish burial practices while incorporating sustainability principles. The section follows Jewish law requiring biodegradable caskets and prohibits embalming, aligning with eco-friendly values and religious customs.
Memorial Planning
Our staff assists with creating personalized memorial services in the Remembrance Room or outdoor spaces. Services can occur before or after cremation, with options for traditional ceremonies, scattering rituals, or contemporary celebrations of life tailored to family preferences.
Pre-Planning Services
Pre-planning allows individuals to document final wishes, reducing emotional and financial burdens on families. We guide clients through all options including burial types, memorial locations, and budget considerations to ensure their preferences are clearly recorded and honored.
Questions
What is a green cemetery?
A green cemetery prioritizes environmental sustainability through natural burials without embalming chemicals, metal caskets, or concrete vaults. Fernwood's 32-acre grounds restore native habitats while providing memorial spaces.
Do you offer cremation services?
Yes, we provide onsite cremation services using state-of-the-art equipment. Options include direct cremation, witnessed cremation, and memorial services before or after the process.
What is Gan Yarok Jewish Cemetery?
Gan Yarok is America's first green Jewish cemetery, developed in collaboration with Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform congregations. It combines Jewish burial traditions with eco-friendly practices.
Can I pre-plan funeral arrangements?
Yes, we offer pre-planning services to help individuals document their final wishes. This process eases decision-making for loved ones and ensures your preferences are honored.
What memorialization options are available?
We offer engraved natural fieldstones, scattering gardens, wall niches, boulder niches with Mt. Tamalpais views, and traditional grave sites. Gan Yarok section follows Jewish tradition.
Reviews (4)
Akhil K.
Nov 26, 2021
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The place felt balanced, serene. The earthy interiors, the flowing water just outside the hall, the wide windows with natural light all together made for a pleasant and gentle atmosphere. Speaking of logistical things: they had a valet parking service that made things easy, and they have the service set up to be streamed over Zoom or other video conferencing apps. Glad they are doing their best.
Stephen S.
Oct 20, 2021
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The upside is they offer natural burials, there are limited options for this. Also the facilities look nice. The downside is how they handle things financially. Everything from basic math error overcharging to precharging well in advance of actually delivering things like stone setting. The pricing is opaque, and the final invoice bears no resemblance to the quote. Nobody needs all the unnecessary added stress in an already stressful situation. I've been through this with another provider without any of these issues, so it is not typical.
Chris O.
Apr 19, 2021
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I've waited a while to post this, both because the memories are so traumatic, and because I wanted to wait long enough to make sure I was being fair in my feelings towards Fernwood. One year ago this month, they were able to provide cremation services for my wife, despite covid lockdown, and for that I am appreciative. However, in addition to a number of communication issues and covid-related limitations which in hindsight I find understandable, there remains one item which is frankly unforgivable. The room into which my daughter and our priest were led to pay our final farewells had numerous
Darlene C.
Apr 17, 2021
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Fernwood Cemetery recently handled my sisters funeral. I cannot say enough good about the location and the staff. It is a gorgeous site, which is beautifully maintained. Everything about the organization is professional and caring. Skip Dailey, Funeral Director, is a master at his job.
Fernwood offered us the option to livestream and to video the service, which we shared with friends and family who could not attend due to COVID. This was a powerful way to support the grieving process. I definitely recommend Fernwood.
Fernwood offered us the option to livestream and to video the service, which we shared with friends and family who could not attend due to COVID. This was a powerful way to support the grieving process. I definitely recommend Fernwood.
