Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory

Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory, located at 850 Keokuk Street in Petaluma, California, is a pillar of compassionate funeral and cremation service in Sonoma and Marin Counties. With a remarkable history spanning over 160 years, this family-owned and operated funeral home has evolved from very humble beginnings into a trusted, full-service establishment dedicated to honoring the lives of loved ones with dignity, respect, and personal care.

The story of Parent-Sorensen begins in 1856, when Charles Blackburn founded Blackburn Funeral Home on Third and B Streets in downtown Petaluma. In the 1920s, John C. Mount acquired the business, renaming it John C. Mount Funeral Home and moving it to Washington Street. Art Parent, a member of a pioneer Petaluma family, joined Mount in the late 1930s and eventually took control in the mid-1940s, relocating the home to Keokuk Street and renaming it Parent Funeral Chapel. Meanwhile, Sorensen Funeral Home was established in 1925 by William Sorensen. After various ownership changes, the two mortuaries were consolidated in the early 1980s by Martin D. "Buzz" Rodgers and James M. Smith, who merged the businesses at the current Keokuk Street location to form Parent-Sorensen Mortuary. Today, the funeral home is co-owned by Daniel Tellez and James Smith, who continue the tradition of thoughtful, community-centered service.

Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to families of all faiths and traditions. Its offerings include traditional funerals, personalized memorial services, on-site cremation, veterans services, assistance with life insurance and death benefits, and preplanning arrangements—both funded and non-funded. The facility features spacious accommodations, off-street parking, and is conveniently located near Petaluma’s cemeteries. The staff provides 24-hour availability, ensuring families receive immediate support during times of loss. The funeral home also offers a complete selection of quality merchandise, including caskets, cremation urns, and custom memorial products. An in-house crematory allows for dignified and direct oversight of cremation services.

Beyond its day-to-day operations, Parent-Sorensen is deeply committed to the community it serves, holding memberships in organizations such as the Kiwanis, NFDA, ICCFA, and local Elks lodges. The business honors its heritage while embracing modern needs, providing grief support resources, flower delivery services, and a year-long grief message program for those navigating loss. With a 4.6-star rating on Google Maps and generations of families returning for compassionate care, Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory remains a steadfast beacon of comfort and professionalism in Petaluma and beyond.