Willow Glen Funeral Home

A compassionate funeral home

Our compassionate, professional staff is dedicated to ensuring that your family and friends are made comfortable as they share memories and commemorate your loved one. We offer both funeral and cremation services.

When you walk through our doors, you become part of the Willow Glen Funeral Home family. We have associates who speak Portuguese, Japanese, and Spanish who are available to help you create a fitting tribute that honors your traditions.

Comfortable accommodations

Our reception area includes 2 large banquet tables for food service and well-equipped kitchen facilities. We also offer professional, creative floral services as well as catering services. Please contact Willow Glen Funeral Home if you need immediate assistance or if you would like more information about our funeral and cremation services.

Support after the funeral

We take part in the Dignity Memorial LIFT program, a social support program for those who have lost their spouses. It allows people to adjust to difficult changes by socializing with others experiencing similar feelings through engaging activities. Some of the adventures we've had include trips to the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford, tours of the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield, visits to Black Oak Casino, ice cream socials and paint parties. There are no fees to participate, and the program is available even if you haven't been served by our funeral home. Please reach out for more information on upcoming programs.

We honor veterans

At Willow Glen Funeral Home, we understand the unique needs of America’s veterans and their families. As a Level Four Founding Community Partner with We Honor Veterans, we are honored to serve our nation’s heroes and take this responsibility seriously. We have taken steps to ensure our staff is knowledgeable of all the benefits available to military veterans and their families.

In addition, we host community events annually in honor of our veterans and work closely with local veterans organizations. With respect, integrity and dignity, we will walk you through the steps of creating a veteran’s memorial service that truly honors the life and sacrifice of your loved one.

History

The early years

Willow Glen Funeral Home is located in the heart of the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose, California, at 1039 Lincoln Avenue. Carl N. Swenson was a local builder who, in 1946, founded the business (then called Chapel of the Psalms) and remodeled the building.

On February 10, 1955, Bob Accinelli and his parents purchased the business and named the funeral home Willow Glen Mortuary. The name was later changed to Willow Glen Funeral Chapel and then to its current name: Willow Glen Funeral Home.

Mr. Accinelli originally wanted to be a doctor but didn’t like the idea that he couldn’t help all the patients. As a funeral director, he could help all families to the best of his abilities.

A family-run business

Willow Glen was truly a family-run business: Mr. Accinelli’s mother and father answered the phones and greeted families at the door. His 2 daughters both worked as secretaries for a time, and his youngest son, Christopher, went to embalming school in San Francisco. Christopher eventually married and decided to change careers.

In the late 1950s, Mr. Accinelli brought on Clark Taketa. Mr. Taketa and his wife Alice truly loved working with Mr. Accinelli and serving the San Jose community.

In 1974, Ralph Gray and his sister, Mary Gertrude Gray, decided to sell their own funeral home building to their son and dissolved the W.B. Ward Funeral Home business, which was one of the oldest existing funeral homes at the time, dating back to 1888. Mr. Gray visited the Accinellis in their home and said he was "looking for a place to hang his hat.” Mr. Accinelli respected Mr. Gray and they shook hands on it.

In 1985, Mr. Accinelli passed away. Mrs. Accinelli says she will always be grateful to the Grays for extending themselves and offering to help her keep the business going if she wanted. Because Mrs. Accinelli knew how much her husband loved people and his business, she felt it was a natural decision for her to stay and carry on after he died.

In 1995, Mrs. Accinelli decided it was time to retire and leave the Bay area.

Upholding the heritage of Bob Accinelli

Mr. Accinelli began his business with a commitment to a high standard of service, and throughout our history, we have continued to lead and innovate while maintaining those standards. Everyone at Willow Glen Funeral Home is proud to uphold this heritage and commitment to our community.