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August
6, 2007
VOL.
45, NO. 14Oakland,
CA
Diocesan cemeteries
adds a second
mortuary to its funeral services
The Oakland
diocese’s funeral and cemetery services has purchased Sorensen Bros.
Mortuary, a funeral home that has operated in the Hayward area for more
than 80 years.
Robert Seelig, director of Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services, made
the announcement Aug. 1, saying that the mortuary on B Street is being
renamed Holy Angels Funeral and Cremation Center-Sorensen Chapel.
“We wanted to keep the Sorensen name as a part of this, said Seelig.
He paid tribute to the Sorensen family for their many years of service
to Hayward residents.
Seelig said financial conditions of the agreement are confidential.
The Diocese operates six cemeteries – Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in
Hayward, St. Mary’s in Oakland, Queen of Heaven in Lafayette, St.
Michael’s in Livermore, Holy Cross in Antioch, and St. Joseph’s
in San Pablo.
It also operates Holy Angels Funeral and Cremation Center on the grounds
of Holy Sepulchre Cemetery and plans to open another Holy Angels Funeral
Center at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery in San Pablo this fall.
The diocese is the first in the U.S. to offer cremation services and one
of only three nationwide with mortuary operations. Those services became
available last year when the diocese acquired Machado’s Hillside
Mortuary in Hayward.
Judi Sorensen McCrea, owner-operator of Sorensen, is retiring. McCrea
called the
sale “a sad decision. This has been a part of our family for so
long. Yet in working out this agreement with the Church, we believe the
quality of service, our facilities, and value will be continued seamlessly.”
Sorensen employees will be staying with the new owners, said Seelig.
Seelig also said that Catholic Funeral and Cemetery Services will honor
prepaid funeral contracts that were made through Sorensen Bros.
