The Bryant Mortuary

My great aunt passed about 3 weeks ago and we selected The Bryant Mortuary solely based on their proximity to my aunt’s church. I didn’t have any prior knowledge of their work. Boy was I pleasantly surprised. We first met with Roberta, who was very compassionate and took her time explaining the process to my sister and myself. At no time did we feel as if the mortuary was out for our money. They were genuinely concerned for us and worked with us to meet financial obligations. We couldn’t have been more pleased with how the viewing and funeral went. On burial day, they were even more professional by waiting for us. We were running late due to traffic and rain, but I never felt as if they were rushing us. The death of a loved one is stressful and overwhelming, but The Bryant Mortuary helped us in a major way. I would recommend anyone to use this mortuary in the future. Blessings to the company for a job well done!

My grandmother recently passed away in October 2014. As you can imagine it was a very difficult time for the family. We turned to the Bryant Mortuary due to their outstanding reputation within the community. We met with Robbie and she was our personal contact for arranging services. She was extremely professional, caring and expressed her genuine sympathy for our loss. The entire process was very simple and we had no difficulties. They were able to accommodate the type of program we desired and supported us with our decision to make it a joyous occasion and celebration of life. All of the staff were professional, the facility was immaculate and the service started on time.
I personally wanted to thank everyone that help with our arrangements and services. You all made it possible for the family to focus on celebrating my grandmothers life with the utmost respect. We Thank you all for your caring efforts.

Bryant’s Mortuary has helped my family and I through a rough time; my mother in law’s passing. We have never had to handle anything like this and I must say, they have been very thoughtful. Everything has fallen into my husband’s hands and Bryant’s Mortuary has been very understanding and helpful. We now have a bit of experience in what happens when someone we love passes away and we will not hesitate to use Bryant’s Mortuary again.

Recently attended a Memorial Service at Bryant Mortuary, for a most beloved family friend & was completely unimpressed
The whole experience seemed amateurish, shabby, & very disorganized
The facility itself was unkept. The pew in front of where we were sitting had a big bright blue wad of gum stuck to the woodwork & it was apparent it had been there for a good while. Does no one come & clean the place?
After the service had started the main doors kept slamming, as people were coming in late, which made it difficult to pay attention to the eulogy — why was there no one manning the door to ensure silence?
The staff also kept entering the front of the chapel to mess w/​the nonworking microphone during all the personal tributes. It was very distracting! Plus, shouldn’t all of that have been worked out BEFORE the service?
The Priest was not prepared at all. He had been sitting in the front pew until the service began but didn’t even bother to learn our friend’s name. This was completely evident as he turned to look at the tv monitor…
It went something like this: We’re here today to honor the life of — stands there for a minute w/​an obvious blank stare — then slowly turns around — reads monitor — turns back w/​an embarrassed smile on his face, to state our friend’s name
It was just like what you’ve seen in movie comedies… only this was real life… & not funny
He immediately followed that up w/​some completely inappropriate reference to «Latino names». Sis & I looked at each other in disbelief & knew we were in for a very painful & awkward evening
Other highlights included comments like «Gosh, I look at her age & think eek, so soon — I mean I’m living w/​2 other pastors in the church across town & they’re 89!»
Is that supposed to be comforting?!
His service (which was read out of a small booklet) had *nothing* to do w/​passing, or celebrating life, or peace or solace — it was completely nonsensical
Icing on the cake of inappropriateness was when he addressed our friend’s children, for all the attendees to hear: «As I was reading her ‘little’ bio, it seemed like she loved her family. I mean she did love you right? She loved you, right?»
First of all, to demean our cherished, beloved, friend by saying «her ‘little’ bio», then questioning if she loved her family — the tension in the chapel was thick as you can imagine & even more-​so
I have not been to many memorial services, so I have little to compare but I can safely say I would never recommend Bryant — there has GOT to be better!

My father had pre-​paid for a funeral policy and at the end of the day I’m very disappointed in their services. The person handling the obituary did not edit my text. She put in the wrong Officiating Reverend. She did not do as I asked as far as his picture, she put in what she wanted to. The DVD presentation did not include important pictures that I instructed her to include. After all of this the prepaid items were not all provided. I asked for a refund of those items not provided such as the pall bearer gloves. The limosines were from the JFK era — not modern at all. The death certificates were incorrect. I’ve requested a response to the out of pocket expenses my husband had to pay of $ 3000 and she still will not respond. To add insult to injury the owner has repeatedly ignored all of my calls and emails leaving with no alternative but to sue them.

Serena Aaron Smith RIP You are sorely missed by your grand-​daughter. 101 years old history gone. I am Thankful to my Grandma for encouraging my writing and education. You will be blessed and enlightened if you read on.
Unilocal, This one is extremely personal. I love and miss my Granny so much. This time of year I think about all of my familial dearly departed.
Grandma’s Sunrise was July 4, 1905 her Sunset August 28, 2006.
Serena Aaron Smith was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was one of 9 children born to Mary-​Etta Lynn Aaron and Samuel Aaron. Serena Aaron married Willie Anthony Smith in 1923 in St. Louis Missouri. They also lived and raised their family in Meridian, Mississippi before they moved to San Francisco, California in 1952. They settled in their home in the Western Addition on Pierce Street. Serena and Willie remained married until Granddaddy’s passing in 1957. Their marriage bore three exceptional children: Marian, Leon and Willie Jean (My Momma)
Serena leaves to mourn in her passing her children, grandchildren .20 great-grandchildren…cousins from the Aaron/​Gray/​Lynn families in the Bay Area, the Midwest and Arkansas; and a host of other relatives and dear friends.
Mrs. Serena Smith was a hard working, no nonsense African American woman. She was committed to uplifting of African American people. Member of Bethel African Episcopal (AME) church for over 50 years. She was a licensed vocational nurse who ran a successful home care facility in her home at 1242 Pierce Street in the Western Addition.
She fought the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency to keep her home that she and her husband purchased in the Fillmore District. Grandmommie was proud of the fact that she was one of the few Black homeowners left after the Redevelopment Agency changed the Fillmore forever. She was extremely proud of her home and bountiful garden. Serena tended to that garden for many many years.
All our family gathering were held @ 1242. sniff Our Grandmother was fiercely independent, intelligent, and proud of her accomplishments. She was a sharp dresser, standing at almost 6 feet tall with blue-​brown eyes. John Grey Grandma’s Grandfather was a white Irishman that married my Black Great great great Grandma in 1865 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Serena was committed to speaking her mind at all times. She loved KGO talk radio and was a frequent caller and listener. She loved to dictate «letters to the editor» to various (i.e many hahaha) publications tom make sure her views were expressed.
Our Grandmother Serena is finally at rest and giving God an earful hahaha. As she would always say, she is now «heavenly blessed» with her family and friends in the Kingdom on High. We are grateful that God blessed us with her presence for 101 unforgettable years. I love you Grandma. You will never be forgotten. We always remember you and have a party in your honor every year.
The Bryant Mortuary has been serving the San Francisco Bay Area for over 40 years. Our founder, Mr. Ralph T. Bryant began the mortuary in response to the need for services in the African American community. As the oldest African American owned mortuary in San Francisco, The Bryant Mortuary remains owned and operated by members of Mr. Bryant’s immediate family. We are comprised of a dedicated staff, whose main purpose is to ensure that families we serve are cared for in a sensitive and responsive manner.
I pray you never have to utilize this business’s services.
Infodiva here Crybaby… resident Unilocal Herstorian SF Native Proud non-​stereotypical African American Woman. I thank God for who I am today. Peace

My grandmother recently passed away and we had The Bryant Mortuary handle the cremation of her remains. I found their staff, particularly Ms. Byrde and Ms. Giles, to be extremely understanding and helpful during a difficult time.