At Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries Civic Center Chapel in Richmond, California provides funeral home, burial, veteran, memorialization, cremation and life celebration services. Call us 24/7.
Our experienced staff is committed to this vision and passionate about making your time with us as memorable and uplifting as possible. We bring together decades of experience caring for families of all cultural backgrounds and diverse walks of life. We pledge to treat you and your loved ones just like family, and we guarantee to offer services that meet all of your specifications while exceeding all of your expectations. Licensed staff members are available around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to discuss your needs. Whether you are doing pre-planning or need to hold a service soon, we are ready to answer our phone and offer you warm, friendly, and empathetic service. Learn more about our funeral services.
Many customers praised the staff, particularly Darolyn Fox and Celina Hernandez, for their compassion, professionalism, and support during difficult times.
Attention to Detail
Several reviews highlighted the meticulous attention to detail in planning and executing funeral services, ensuring that families felt their loved ones were honored appropriately.
Mixed Experiences
While many reviews were positive, there were notable complaints regarding unprofessional behavior and lack of responsiveness from some staff members, leading to dissatisfaction.
Overall Satisfaction
Despite some negative feedback, a significant number of customers expressed gratitude and satisfaction with the services provided, recommending the mortuary to others.
GM
Gary Mackey
4 days ago
5.0
Wilson and Kratzer offered a Beautiful homecoming service for my brother, the director Darolyn was so gracious and my family would like to thank her for such a beautifully arranged service and thank you, Wilson and Kratzer for hiring such a beautiful person with a caring heart. We really appreciate all that she did to make this a special occasion. Thank you Darolyn you are an angel. G
PL
Patsy Landers
Dec 17, 2025
5.0
I want to thank Wilson and Kratzer for taking care of my love one. Sylvester Dunn was especially helpful and professional during our grieving process. He was so patient with me and answered all of my concerns.
Thank you,
Patsy Landers
SF
Summer Fenk
Dec 6, 2025
5.0
My brother passed away this year and Ms Darolyn Fox was in charge of his service. She was truly the biggest blessing in the most tragic time for my family. We couldn’t have asked for a better person to guide us through such a difficult time. She was patient, extremely helpful with everything, and gave us a much needed comfort for what we were going through. The service for my brother was beautiful, she really made sure to help us honor him in the best way possible. There were many working hands in this process and the whole staff in general did an amazing job as well. I can’t imagine the strength it takes to do this job, but she does it with grace and you can tell she’s someone who genuinely cares. I will never forget her and will always be so thankful she was there to help us through this journey.
VM
Venus McMurrian
Nov 30, 2025
5.0
The staff at Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries - Civic Center Chapel truly embodies the motto "Where Compassion and Care Intersect." From the moment we entrusted them with our beloved mother until the final funeral service, the team was respectful, patient, kind, and supportive.
Our family worked closely with Darolyn Fox, who took the time and care to guide us through every step of the process with gentleness and compassion. Despite our grief, Darolyn brought smiles and warm-hearted laughter to our experience.
We cannot express our gratitude enough!
With heartfelt thanks,
RM
Ramona Martinez
Nov 25, 2025
5.0
Our beloved mother, Ramona Martinez, passed away in August 2025. Wilson & Kratzer - Civic Center Chapel provided us with tender funerary services during this difficult time. We (all in the Valentin Martinez family) were lucky to have Ms. Celina Hernadez guide us throughout the process. We had many questions and demands, and she answered and clarified all of them either in person, by phone or email in a prompt manner. She was knowledgeable and always responded with the thoughtfulness and patience that we needed at the time. She was always professional and gave us suggestions and advice on areas where we lacked knowledge or experience. In addition to Ms. Celina, Ms. Michelle, Rhason and everyone at the mortuary who interacted with us was always helpful and kind and made our difficult time easier to manage. Thank you, thank you, thank you...
Frequently Asked Questions About Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries Civic Center Chapel
What does a Funeral Director do?
Pick up the deceased and transport the body to the funeral home (anytime day or night)
Notify proper authorities, family and/or relatives
Arrange and prepare death certificates
Provide certified copies of death certificates for insurance and benefit processing
Work with the insurance agent, Social Security or Veterans Administration to ensure that necessary paperwork is filed for receipt of benefits
Prepare and submit obituary to the newspapers of your choice
Bathe and embalm the deceased body, if necessary
Prepare the body for viewing including dressing and cosmetizing
Assist the family with funeral arrangements and purchase of casket, urn, burial vault and cemetery plot
Schedule the opening and closing of the grave with cemetery personnel, if a burial is to be performed
Coordinate with clergy if a funeral or memorial service is to be held
Arrange a police escort and transportation to the funeral and/or cemetery for the family
Order funeral sprays and other flower arrangements as the family wishes
Provide Aftercare, or grief assistance, to the bereaved
What do I do when a death occurs?
The funeral home will help coordinate arrangements with the cemetery.
Bring the following information to complete the State vital statistic requirements:
✓ Birthplace
✓ Father's Name
✓ Mother's Name
✓ Social Security Number
✓ Veteran's Discharge or Claim Number
✓ Education
✓ Marital Status
Contact your clergy. Decide on time and place of funeral or memorial service. This can be done at the funeral home.
The funeral home will assist you in determining the number of copies of the death certificates you will be needing and can order them for you.
Make a list of immediate family, close friends and employer or business colleagues. Notify each by phone.
Decide on appropriate memorial to which gifts may be made (church, hospice, library, charity or school).
Gather obituary information you want to include such as age, place of birth, cause of death, occupation, college degrees, memberships held, military service , outstanding work, list of survivors in immediate family. Include time and place of services. The funeral home will normally write article and submit to newspapers (newspaper will accept picture and they will be returned intact).
Arrange for members of family or close friends to take turns answering door or phone, keeping careful record of calls. If Social Security checks are automatic deposit, notify the bank of the death.
When I call, will someone come right away?
If you request immediate assistance, yes. If the family wishes to spend a short time with the deceased to say good-bye, that’s perfectly acceptable. Your funeral director will come when your time is right.
Should I choose Burial or Cremation?
Burial in a casket is the most common method of disposing of remains in the United States, although entombment also occurs. Cremation is increasingly selected because it can be less expensive and allows for the memorial service to be held at a more convenient time in the future when relatives and friends can come together.
A funeral service followed by cremation need not be any different from a funeral service followed by a burial. Usually, cremated remains are placed in urn before being committed to a final resting place. The urn may be buried, placed in an indoor or outdoor mausoleum or columbarium, or interred in a special urn garden that many cemeteries provide for cremated remains. The remains may also be scattered, according to state law.
What is the purpose of embalming?
Embalming sanitizes and preserves the body. Embalming makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, allowing family members time to arrange and participate in the type of service most comforting to them.
What services does Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries Civic Center Chapel provide?
They provide funeral home, burial, veteran, memorialization, cremation, and life celebration services, available 24/7.
Are Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries Civic Center Chapel's services available all day?
Yes, they are open 24 hours every day, including Federal Holidays.
How can I contact Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries Civic Center Chapel?
You can call them at +1 510-232-4383 or email wecare@civiccenterchapel.com for assistance.
What payment methods are accepted at Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries Civic Center Chapel?
They accept American Express, Cash, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa.
What does a Funeral Director do at Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries Civic Center Chapel?
They handle the deceased's pickup, death certificates, obituary submissions, embalming, funeral arrangements, coordination with clergy, and aftercare support.
What should I do when a death occurs according to Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries Civic Center Chapel?
Contact the funeral home to coordinate with the cemetery, gather necessary personal information, notify friends and family, decide on memorial gifts, and arrange obituary details. The funeral home will assist throughout the process.
Can I get immediate assistance when I call Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries Civic Center Chapel?
Yes, if immediate assistance is requested, someone will come right away. Families can also choose to spend some time with the deceased before proceeding.
What are the nearby places to Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries Civic Center Chapel that might be useful for visitors?
Nearby places include Grace Lutheran Church and First Church of Christ Scientist for religious services, Richmond Certified Farmers Market for groceries, and local motels like Motel 6 Richmond and Civic Center Motel for accommodation.
How can nearby churches such as Grace Lutheran Church support families visiting Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries Civic Center Chapel?
Grace Lutheran Church offers religious support and services that families may wish to attend before or after funeral arrangements at the mortuary.
What nearby amenities are available for families coming to Wilson & Kratzer Mortuaries Civic Center Chapel?
Families can visit the Richmond Certified Farmers Market for fresh produce, dine at nearby restaurants like Mr Pizza Man or Taco Bell, and find accommodations at Civic Center Motel or Motel 6 Richmond.