Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel

Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel, located at 710 Willow Street in San Jose, California, has been a cornerstone of compassionate funeral and cremation services since its founding in 1945. Established by Donald J. Lima Sr. alongside partners Ralph Salmon Sr. and Gilmore Erickson as the Lima Salmon Erickson Memorial Chapel, the funeral home has deep roots in the community. Over the years, Donald Lima became the sole owner, and in 1971, when his children graduated from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science, the name was changed to Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel—a testament to the family’s enduring commitment to serving local families.

Today, the chapel is proud to be part of the Dignity Memorial® network, a trusted provider of funeral, cremation, and cemetery services. This affiliation allows the Lima family to offer the compassionate care of a locally operated establishment combined with the value and resources of a nationwide network. The funeral home provides a full range of services, including traditional burials, cremation services, and onsite chapel facilities. They also offer prepayment plans and have wheelchair-accessible entrances and parking, ensuring that all families feel welcome and supported.

The Lima family’s legacy extends beyond the chapel walls. In 1950, Donald Lima placed a small holiday display of animated characters outside the funeral home, which grew in popularity and eventually became the beloved San Jose tradition known as Christmas in the Park. Donated to the city in 1970, this event now draws over 450,000 visitors annually to Plaza de César Chávez. The Lima family also expanded their service to the area by purchasing Harmon A. Smith Funeral Home in 1974 (renamed Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary) and opening Cedar Lawn Memorial Park and Lima Family Milpitas-Fremont Mortuary, building one of the largest family-owned funeral home operations in California.

As a Level Three Founding Community Partner with the We Honor Veterans program, Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel is specially trained to honor the unique needs of America’s veterans and their families, guiding them through available benefits and creating meaningful memorial services. The staff is available 24/7, and the funeral home backs its services with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. With a stellar 4.8-star rating on Google Maps and a 4.7-star rating on its own site, the chapel has earned the trust of hundreds of families. Whether helping with immediate needs or pre-planning for the future, Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel remains dedicated to its founding motto: “Our family serving your family.”