Having established itself long ago as San Diego’s most prestigious funeral home and cemetery, Greenwood Memorial Park, Mortuary and Crematory is truly a place like no other.
Built in 1907 on a slight hill with an ocean view, Greenwood’s appeal began with its location. Over the years, it has expanded to include several chapels, a mortuary, crematory, three mausoleums, a collection of international and rare vegetation and statuary.
Many prominent San Diego residents are laid to rest here and many of the markers tell a fascinating story. For those unfamiliar with Belle Benchley, for example, it might come as a surprise to stumble across a grave marker depicting the face of a gorilla. Known as The Zoo Lady, Benchley was the director of the San Diego Zoo from 1927 to 1953, and guided its expansion from a small collection of animals to an innovative, world-class zoo.
At Greenwood, 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
Jazz Funerals, Sky Burials and Other Unique Traditions
A funeral is typically thought of as a solemn occasion, but that doesn’t mean it can’t reflect the personality and traditions of the person it honors. Across the globe, there are unique funeral traditions that may seem strange to those unfamiliar with them. Yet these customs serve to create a sense of belonging and leave
Read More >>Grief Journals: Creative Expression and Healing
A grief journal can be very helpful in processing grief. It’s a safe space to express emotions and unburden yourself. When you’re writing in a journal, there is no judgment, and you can say anything you need to say. In addition to writing about what has happened and how you feel, you can use a
Read More >>Food after the Funeral: What’s Appropriate
After most funerals, it’s customary to have a reception or meal. During this time, family and friends gather to share food, fellowship and memories of the person who has died. It’s an important step in the grieving process because it allows people to connect and begin to heal. What’s the best food to serve? That
Read More >>They’re Playing Our Song: Incorporating Your Favorite Music into a Funeral
Playing music at a funeral is a time-honored tradition. Sometimes, the most suitable music is traditional, but in most cases, there is some leeway in the music you choose. You might be preplanning your own service, or you might be planning a service for a loved one who has recently died. Either way, it’s usually
Read More >>A Look at Our Ceremonial Cremation Package
Families come to Greenwood Memorial Park & Mortuary because of our longstanding tradition of providing sensitive, compassionate funeral services in San Diego. With more than a century of experience, we are well equipped to create life-honoring tributes, with or without a traditional burial. We offer several packages from which to choose, but our Ceremonial Cremation
Read More >>Why the Choice of Memorial Park Matters
In previous generations, burial and cremation options in the United States were limited, which made deciding on a final resting place a non-issue. People were often buried in a family plot in a local churchyard or cemetery, or sometimes even on family property. Today the options are broader, but the important thing is to choose
Read More >>Choosing Your Words: What to Say to Someone Who is Grieving
When a friend has lost a loved one, it’s natural to want to reach out with comforting words. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s hard to know what to say to someone who has suffered a loss. This often makes people avoid saying anything, which is a mistake. People need human contact when they’re grieving, so it’s better
Read More >>Comforting Someone Who Has Lost a Child
Loss is always traumatic, but for those who have lost a child it can feel unbearable. Losing a child seems to go against life’s natural order, and is a devastating loss for a parent. Losing an unborn child, while less visible to other people, is also very difficult for parents. In either situation, it can
Read More >>Is There a “Right” Way to Grieve?
When we lose someone important to us, we all grieve. We’ve been conditioned to think there are set “stages” of grief, when in fact that model was created in reference to people facing their own mortality. The truth is, there are no right or wrong ways to experience grief because it is so personal. The
Read More >>Overcoming a Sudden Loss
The death of a loved one is always hard, but every loss is different, and everyone grieves differently. This is true even of deaths that were expected, but it’s especially true of sudden loss. A sudden shocking loss, in which someone dies because of a crime, accident, suicide or in some other unexpected way, has
Read More >>
Jazz Funerals, Sky Burials and Other Unique Traditions
A funeral is typically thought of as a solemn occasion, but that doesn’t mean it can’t reflect the personality and traditions of the person it honors. Across the globe, there are unique funeral traditions that may seem strange to those unfamiliar with them. Yet these customs serve to create a sense of belonging and leave Read More >>Grief Journals: Creative Expression and Healing
A grief journal can be very helpful in processing grief. It’s a safe space to express emotions and unburden yourself. When you’re writing in a journal, there is no judgment, and you can say anything you need to say. In addition to writing about what has happened and how you feel, you can use a Read More >>Food after the Funeral: What’s Appropriate
After most funerals, it’s customary to have a reception or meal. During this time, family and friends gather to share food, fellowship and memories of the person who has died. It’s an important step in the grieving process because it allows people to connect and begin to heal. What’s the best food to serve? That Read More >>They’re Playing Our Song: Incorporating Your Favorite Music into a Funeral
Playing music at a funeral is a time-honored tradition. Sometimes, the most suitable music is traditional, but in most cases, there is some leeway in the music you choose. You might be preplanning your own service, or you might be planning a service for a loved one who has recently died. Either way, it’s usually Read More >>A Look at Our Ceremonial Cremation Package
Families come to Greenwood Memorial Park & Mortuary because of our longstanding tradition of providing sensitive, compassionate funeral services in San Diego. With more than a century of experience, we are well equipped to create life-honoring tributes, with or without a traditional burial. We offer several packages from which to choose, but our Ceremonial Cremation Read More >>Why the Choice of Memorial Park Matters
In previous generations, burial and cremation options in the United States were limited, which made deciding on a final resting place a non-issue. People were often buried in a family plot in a local churchyard or cemetery, or sometimes even on family property. Today the options are broader, but the important thing is to choose Read More >>Choosing Your Words: What to Say to Someone Who is Grieving
When a friend has lost a loved one, it’s natural to want to reach out with comforting words. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s hard to know what to say to someone who has suffered a loss. This often makes people avoid saying anything, which is a mistake. People need human contact when they’re grieving, so it’s better Read More >>Comforting Someone Who Has Lost a Child
Loss is always traumatic, but for those who have lost a child it can feel unbearable. Losing a child seems to go against life’s natural order, and is a devastating loss for a parent. Losing an unborn child, while less visible to other people, is also very difficult for parents. In either situation, it can Read More >>Is There a “Right” Way to Grieve?
When we lose someone important to us, we all grieve. We’ve been conditioned to think there are set “stages” of grief, when in fact that model was created in reference to people facing their own mortality. The truth is, there are no right or wrong ways to experience grief because it is so personal. The Read More >>Overcoming a Sudden Loss
The death of a loved one is always hard, but every loss is different, and everyone grieves differently. This is true even of deaths that were expected, but it’s especially true of sudden loss. A sudden shocking loss, in which someone dies because of a crime, accident, suicide or in some other unexpected way, has Read More >>
Recent Obituaries
“I viewed my 98-year-old great grandma at Greenwood. Thank you for doing such a nice job on her makeup. She looked absolutely beautiful in her casket. I am happy that she is at peace and that my last image of her will be a good memory.” — K. B.
“Every single person we encountered was phenomenal! Desmond was outstanding! He was so pleasant and thoughtful” — P.K.
“I lost my son in a tragic situation. He was a young adult and the comfort I needed came so effortlessly from the staff at Greenwood. I was in shock, grief, disbelief, numb and clueless as to what had to be done. Jennifer Berry’s warm, caring manner and comforting words helped put me at ease. Jennifer held my hand and took care of everything for me. I feel she was purposely put in my path and I will be forever grateful.” — E.M.
Contact Us
Greenwood Memorial Park & Mortuary
4300 Imperial Avenue
San Diego, CA 92113
California License FD#: 843 / COA 661
619.450.1479