Brentwood Funeral Home

A caring East Bay funeral home

The Brentwood Funeral Home team strives to meet the needs of the community. We know the impact of losing a loved one and will help you plan a lasting tribute regardless of what kind of service you choose. Brentwood Funeral Home features updated amenities and plenty of space where you can spend time with friends and family. We have several family rooms with comfortable seating and intimate atmospheres, while our larger spaces welcome everyone to gather and receive comfort from one another during this difficult time.

Personalized funerals

All of our funeral and memorial services focus on celebrating life and showcasing individuality. This approach keeps us open to traditional religious rites as well as contemporary gatherings that deeply reflect a person's life. That means that whether you want a basic cremation with ashes scattered in a personally meaningful place, a funeral in our cozy chapel with cemetery burial nearby, or a modern celebration of life with live music, favorite foods and a send-off that expresses the passions of yourself or your loved one, we are happy to deliver.

Want an afternoon ice cream social? Or maybe an evening wine and cheese gathering is a better fit. Were you thinking about a San Francisco-themed funeral complete with a cable car? If you can imagine it, we can make it happen.

Community involvement

We are more than just a funeral home. We're also a part of the East Bay community.

The team at Brentwood Funeral Home is always looking for ways to give back. We do so by working with the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce and supporting Brentwood veterans and seniors organizations. Additionally, we've partnered with the Brentwood Police Department to help in the education of high school students with the Every 15 Minutes program. Every 15 Minutes teaches students about the dangers of drinking and driving. Our team also partners with The Urban Farmers, a group that harvests and donates the fruit grown from our property's trees.

Contact us

Everyone at Brentwood Funeral Home welcomes you with compassionate service. We know that each situation is unique and will serve you with the respect you deserve. Please call us to learn more about our burial and cremation services in Brentwood.

History

For more than 100 years, Brentwood Funeral Home has built a reputation for quality funeral services in California's East Bay.

The early years

In 1905, George Shafer converted a 4-room house located at 839 1st Street in Brentwood, California, into Shafer's Funeral Parlor. Funeral services were held in the living room of the home. Today, Brentwood Funeral Home conducts burial and cremation services in this original location.

Besides operating a funeral home, George Shafer also operated a local livery stable and was the town Constable and Deputy Coroner. In 1931, the Shafers expanded their house and added a large chapel.

George sold the funeral parlor to Roy Bartheld in 1949. Roy subsequently changed the name to Bartheld Funeral Service and performed extensive remodeling that turned the funeral home into a modern facility. Roy employed Patrick McHenry to work at the funeral home part-time who, in 1969, purchased the funeral home. Ten years later, a fire in the funeral home necessitated another remodel of the building.

Our journey continues

McHenry and his wife operated the business as the only 2 full-time personnel until 1985, when Raymond Glosser was hired as a full-time employee. In preparation for their retirement, the McHenrys sold the business in 1993. In 1996, Raymond Glosser was appointed the manager of Brentwood Funeral Home and continued his tenure until retirement in 2007.

Over the years, Brentwood Funeral Home has adapted to the needs of the community. To coincide with the Downtown Brentwood Association's redevelopment plan, we completed our renovation project in 2015 to match the look and feel of the downtown community. Our funeral home is now capable of hosting full-service funerals, cremation services, memorial services, catered events, receptions, corporate meetings and social events.