Colma, California is a small town just south of San Francisco. Founded in 1924, it is home to 17 cemeteries, and has long served as a final resting place for the Bay Area’s departed. The tranquil town of Colma provides the perfect setting for Colma Cremation and Funeral Services. Equally important, however, our location gives us unique access to a diverse network of professionals with whom we strive to create dignified and affordable solutions for you. Minutes from California’s cultural heart, we are ideally suited to serving clients spanning from the Bay Area to the Central Valley to the Sierra Nevada, and beyond.

Mr. Stinson has an extensive background in Funeral Practice. He received his Funeral Directors License in 1969. In 1975, he became certified in Eye Enucleation Surgery for Cornea Transplant in Pennsylvania through the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Organ Donor Team. After years of donation services to area hospitals, he received the Distinguished Service Award.

He was an Associate in Hospital Pathology, as well as a Deputy Coroner and an Associate in Forensic Pathology.

In 1978, Mr. Stinson furthered his education in the field of Grief and Bereavement Counseling. He received his National Certification as a Bereavement Facilitator and is also continuing his Organ Donation Counseling.

He taught in Hospice for fifteen years and began teaching his course: Death, Dying, Loss and Survival for the Elementary School level through the University level. His course is taught with Continuing Education Certification in Hospitals, Nursing Care Centers and for County Health Care Providers. As a keynote speaker, Mr. Stinson has presented insight into providing healthy grief support when loss occurs.

He developed programs for churches, senior citizens organizations, Widows to Widows programs and Compassionate Friends.

With this extensive background in funeral practice and grief support, Mr. Stinson brings to his profession an in-depth understanding of the relationship between Health Care, Death Care and Bereavement Care.

• Creator and Talk Show Host of “Good Grief Radio”
• CEO/Partner Colma Cremation & Funeral Services, Colma, CA
• Licensed California Funeral Director, Embalmer
• Nationally Certified Bereavement Facilitator
• Certified Eye Enucleation Surgeon for Cornea Transplant
• Certified Grief, Bereavement and Organ Donation Counselor
• Director/Grief Counselor, GoodGrief.net
• Co-Creator of Healthy Grief Support in Funeral Practice
• Instructor, Curriculum Development and Facilitator for Death Care Education
• Former Deputy Coroner/Associate in Medical Pathology
• Member of California Funeral Directors Association
• Member of American Academy of Bereavement
• Member of Cremation Association of North America
• Member of National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved
• Member of Chamber of Commerce

Ms. Taylor brings a unique background to Funeral Practice. Her past caregiver responsibilities with Mission and Pathways Hospice and as a KARA Counselor have taught her how to provide a safe, caring and understanding experience for families in the Funeral Arrangement setting.

She has furthered her Hospice training by attaining her National Certification as a Bereavement Facilitator that has enabled her to help families on their grief journey.

She has taught and written courses for the use of clinical hypnosis with an emphasis on the value of self-hypnosis as a healing and learning tool since 1976, with a focus on the wellness factor.

As an advocate for Employee/Patient issues related to healthcare, she has an in-depth understanding of the changes in healthcare and the resulting effects of the changes.

With her extensive professional background in funeral practice, grief counseling, hospice training and care giving, Ms. Taylor provides an in-depth understanding of the grief relationships in Health Care, Death Care and Bereavement After Care.

• Sr. VP/Manager/Partner – Colma Cremation & Funeral Services, Colma, CA
• Licensed California Funeral Director
• Director/Grief Counselor – GoodGrief.net
• Co-Creator of Healthy Grief Support in Funeral Practice
• Former Grief Counselor for Kara of Palo Alto, CA
• Former Hospice Caregiver, Volunteer, Pathways Hospice
• Former Hospice Caregiver, Volunteer, Mission Hospice
• Speakers Bureau Volunteer, Pathways Hospice
• Member of American Academy of Bereavement
• Member of National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved
• Member of California Funeral Directors Association
• Member of Cremation Association of North America
• Member of Chamber of Commerce
• Employee and Patient Advocate for Issues with Healthcare Providers
• Reiki Master and Teacher
• Certified Practioner of Healing Touch
• Advanced Degree in Hypnosis as Practioner and Teacher

Ms. Stinson completed her formal education at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1987. She then began her career in Funeral Practice assisting in all aspects of Traditional Funerals in Pennsylvania.

In 1997, she continued her funeral career in California by becoming an Associate Funeral Director and a State Certified Arrangement Counselor. She is Nationally Certified as a Bereavement Facilitator and provides Healthy Grief Support when loss occurs. As a victim of suicide, she has experience and education in how to provide Healthy Grief Support for victims of suicide.

Ms. Stinson works closely with Physicians, Hospitals, Nursing Administration, Nursing Care Centers, County Health Care Providers, Hospices, Coroners and Medical Examiners. She also works with Willed Body Donation National Programs, Social Service Administrators and Public and Private Conservator Program Advisors to facilitate essential services necessary for completing documentation required by State and County Health Departments. This service is vital to families so cremations and burials may be completed in a timely manner.

• Associate Funeral Director
• State Certified Arrangement Counselor
• Nationally Certified Bereavement Facilitator
• Support Group Facilitator for Survivor's of Suicide
• Director of EDRS (Electronic Death Registry System) Administration
• Member of California Funeral Directors Association
• Member of American Academy of Bereavement
• Member of Cremation Association of North America
• Member of National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved
• Member of Chamber of Commerce
• Member of American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Desiree’ L. Samora
Ms. Samora is a native of San Bruno, CA and a graduate of Capuchino High School. She completed her formal education at Skyline College. She then began her career in Funeral Practice in 2010. She continued her funeral career in 2011 becoming an Associate Funeral Director and a State Certified Arrangement Counselor.

Ms. Samora works closely with Physicians, Hospitals, Nursing Administration, Nursing Care Centers, County Health Care Providers, Hospices, Coroners and Medical Examiners. She also works with Willed Body Donation National Programs, Social Service Administrators and Public and Private Conservator Program Advisors to facilitate essential services necessary for completing documentation required by State and County Health Departments. This service is vital to families so cremations and burials may be completed in a timely manner.

Associations

• Associate Funeral Director
• State Certified Arrangement Counselor
• Administrator of EDRS (Electronic Death Registry System)
• Member of California Funeral Directors Association
• Member of American Academy of Bereavement
• Member of Cremation Association of North America