Valente Marini Perata and Co. Funeral Directors

Valente Marini Perata & Co. (VMP & Co.) was established in 1888 by Frank Marini, John B. Perata and Virgil Valente in San Francisco's burgeoning North Beach district to serve its growing population of immigrants who arrived at the end of the 19th century. The company became a vital and central member of this colorful new community. Never was its dedication more evident than during the crucial, tumultuous days after the great 1906 earthquake and fire, as VMP & Co.'s horse-drawn livery and transport wagons served double duty as emergency rescue vehicles.

In the same spirit as the famous A.P. Giannini rescuing the cash assets of the Bank of Italy (predecessor to Bank of America), Frank Marini resourcefully buried the firm's historical records in Washington Square Park during the fire. As the City quickly rose from the ashes, these records, containing family information, addresses and other vital statistics, aided survivors in reclaiming property, businesses and citizenship rights.

As subsequent generations moved to the outlying areas of the city, so did the company, from its first branch office at 29th and Mission Streets in 1917 to its present location in San Francisco's Excelsior district in 1925. In 1970, VMP & Co. merged its North Beach operations with its Excelsior location and doubled the size of the facility, to the large modern building you see today (a photographic tour is available on the location page). All of this has given VMP & Co. the ability to provide today's Bay Area residents with comfortable and immaculately maintained facilities with extensive, complimentary parking, and a professional staff that prides itself on excellence.

VMP & Company’s business today has evolved much like San Francisco itself, serving families from myriad cultural and ethnic backgrounds throughout the greater Bay Area. VMP & Co. is now in its fifth generation of being family owned and operated and continues its unparalleled legacy of service - providing all of our families with personal assistance in a time of need, and creating professional and dignified funeral service.