Our Heritage
The roots of Silva's Family Memorials started in Oakland in the late 1890s, when the patriarch of the family, Antonio Bras, opened the first location dedicated to designing and producing quality granite memorials to honor loved ones. As the family worked together and Grandfather Antonio's reputation as an artisan grew, and they were able to open locations around the San Francisco Bay Area, Vacaville and Hawaii. The business continued to expand and contract through the 1900s, and in 1964 his son-in-law John Silva was able to open the Antioch location. After retiring the business passed to Janice Silva, with numerous cousins and relatives helping out in all facets of creation of memorials and monuments.
“Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift, which is why it is called the present.” Buddhist saying
Janice Silva
While growing up in the family business, Janice Silva has had one guiding philosophy, to be a compassionate ally to families when choosing memorials to honor their loved ones. "You have to be able to think outside of the box, and sometimes you have to think inside of the box! Some people want something very personal, more challenging, and those bring me great satisfaction."
Our Staff
Jack da Silva is a metal working artist who has worked with Silva's Family Memorials for more than 15 years helping to design and create much of the art in our monuments and memorials. Settings and cement work are headed by Albert, who has worked in the industry for 35 years. Dale is our granite lettering specialist, who also lends a hand in deliveries and transport. All of our staff is professional, compassionate and dedicated.
Working with Families
Silva's Family Memorials works together with families with care and compassion, gently and correctly guiding them so they are not taken advantage of in their most vulnerable period. On a family's behalf we take care of negotiating with cemeteries, the design and permit process, arrange for delivery and paying fees, as well as getting everything ready for installation.
The Process of Choosing a Memorial
Choosing a memorial for your loved one, whether it's done in advance or at-need, can be a very involved process. With compassion, we will meet with you to discuss your options. Once we know the name of the cemetery, we will be able to work within their rules to give you a memorial that will last forever. Read more about the process here.
