Sunset Funeral Home & Sunset Memorial Gardens

Your Rockford funeral home

Our remodeled funeral home reflects a modern design aesthetic. You will appreciate the warm colors and comfortable seating, from the inviting leather couches throughout the space to the padded chairs in the renovated chapel.

In that chapel, gleaming wood floors and exposed ceiling beams complement the beauty of stained-glass windows that depict soothing nature scenes. The chapel seats 150; an overflow room holds another 30 or 40 people. A reception area seats up to 45, but if your group is larger, we can convert the chapel to seat a whole lot more.

Whether you're thinking about a breakfast buffet or a sandwich lunch, an ice cream social or a pasta dinner, our catering service can handle most any request. From food prep to waitstaff to boxing leftovers, our boundless hospitality removes some of the stress that comes with losing a loved one.

Specializing in personalized services

Because Sunset Funeral Home and Sunset Memorial Gardens are adjoining properties, you can stay right on the grounds to handle all of your funeral, cremation and cemetery arrangements—which lets you spend more time with your family and focus on remembering your loved one. 

At Sunset Funeral Home, we believe that a unique personality calls for a unique memorial. Let us take care of everything, from writing an obituary, to creatively decorating a space, to helping with printed programs. We can even hire a band, bring in a petting zoo, yarn-bomb a section of the cemetery or have favors embossed with your loved one's name.

The caring teams at Sunset

The teams at Sunset Funeral Home and Sunset Memorial Gardens consider themselves to be a family, and they aim to treat you like they would their own. Everyone who works here possesses a deep desire to serve you with patience and compassion. We’re certain that's what brings people back, whether in response to an immediate need or just to start a discussion about planning ahead.

Because we want to offer the best value for the highest quality of service, we’ve designed 3 inclusive funeral packages based for various budgets. These packages (Tribute, Honor and Heritage) include all aspects of a funeral service, such as casket and/or vault, flowers, memorial registry and catering, as well as the option of our taking your photos and videos to create a multimedia tribute that will be remembered long after the service is over.

We Honor Veterans

At Sunset Funeral Home and Sunset Memorial Gardens, we understand the unique needs of America’s veterans and their families. As Level Four Founding Community Partners with We Honor Veterans, we are honored to serve our nation’s heroes and take this responsibility seriously. We have taken steps to ensure our staff is knowledgeable of all the benefits available to military veterans and their families.

In addition, we host community events annually in honor of our veterans and work closely with local veterans organizations. With respect, integrity and dignity, we will walk you through the steps of creating a veteran’s memorial service that truly honors the life and sacrifice of your loved one.

Lean on us

Let Sunset Funeral Home and Sunset Memorial Gardens guide you to make thoughtful decisions. Whether you need help planning a funeral or purchasing cemetery property right away or want to plan ahead, we are here for you. Just call us.

Sunset Memorial Gardens cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens comprises 54 acres of meticulously manicured grounds in picturesque Winnebago County. With mature trees and many special sections, it is a peaceful final resting place.

Sprawling emerald-green lawns host many varieties of maple, ash and oak trees, which provide a stunning color show each fall. Flat markers help preserve the park-like feeling of the cemetery property.

Burial and interment options

The cemetery offers in-ground burial, private estates, 2 chapel mausoleums and cremation gardens. Mausoleums are clad in modern, neutral marble. They are appointed with couches and chairs for visitors who want to linger and reflect on their loved ones' lives. The cremation garden has bench estates, cremation niches and places for personalized memorials. In 2017, we added columbaria to the veterans garden.

Photos tell a story, but we invite you to see Sunset Memorial Gardens for yourself. Please call us to set up a guided tour or you are welcome to show yourself around anytime.

Remembering the people we love

We realize that the 1st holiday season after a loved one’s passing can be a difficult time, and we want to be there for you. Each December, the teams at Sunset Funeral Home and Sunset Memorial Gardens host a service designed to honor and remember those lost during the year. Many families attend to gain a sense of comfort and healing by being with others who are going through a similar experience. We serve light refreshments and offer flowers to those who wish to decorate their loved ones' memorials during this time of healing and fellowship. Sunset Funeral Home and Sunset Memorial Gardens are sister locations that have provided compassionate care to the Rockford area since 1952. The funeral home and cemetery are always here to help your family when you need us.

History

Herb Johnson established Sunset Memorial Gardens in 1952. The cemetery has been an integral part of Machesney Park and greater Rockford area ever since. In 1991, Sunset Funeral Home was built on the cemetery grounds to provide convenience for grieving families. Later in the '90s, The Chapel of Love was added to the memorial park grounds.