What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home

Home
United States
Grand Rapids, MI
O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home

The O’Brien Funeral Home became a licensed funeral home in Grand Rapids in 1885

09/08/2025

Preplanning a funeral allows you to prepay, make decisions about your last wishes, and, most importantly, gives you and your family peace of mind knowing the funeral will be a meaningful celebration of life that honors you.

Learn more about our preplanning at our upcoming free event: https://bit.ly/4pdloBL

09/05/2025

Remember that grief looks different for everyone, and there is no set timeline. Wherever you are in your journey, this is your reminder to give yourself grace. Struggling doesn’t mean you’re taking a step back; the hard days are important for healing.

Find support: https://bit.ly/4jWXwhO

09/03/2025

At Gerst, you can choose from a variety of funeral service types and formats. There is no “right” way to have a funeral, and services can be unique to your family and your departed loved one.

Our team will help you plan each step of the funeral process, whether that means getting creative with your plans or guiding you through more traditional formats. Connect with our team to learn more today: https://bit.ly/4e7TRfc

09/01/2025

Any holiday can be difficult when you're missing someone you love. Families usually gather on holidays like Labor Day to grill out, spend time outside, and enjoy each other's company. But the absence of a loved one who has passed can feel heavy on these days.

The Gerst team wishes you and your loved ones a peaceful and loving day of celebration. Happy Labor Day.

08/30/2025

Today is Grief Awareness Day. At Gerst, we provide resources to help you navigate the grieving process or support a loved one. Check out our blogs for encouragement and advice as you navigate a painful time.

We also want you to know that you are not alone; we want to come alongside you in all the stages that come before and after losing a loved one.

Remind yourself that two things can be true at the same time: You are strong, even when grief feels heavy.

08/27/2025

It can be hard to lean on others and share when you are grieving. We encourage you not to hold everything in and to be easy on yourself. No grief looks the same. At Gerst, we want you to know you are not alone. Support and resources are available to help ease the burden. Get in touch to learn more: https://bit.ly/3O6fCB1

08/25/2025

Nora McInerny’s TED Talk, “We Don’t Move On From Grief. We Move Forward With It,” is a great listen that offers a new perspective on grief through honest storytelling. Mclnerny thoughtfully reframes grief by challenging her audience to rethink what “moving on” truly means. She shares how healing and pain can coexist, offering a compassionate and relatable perspective. Whether you're in the midst of grief or supporting a loved one, her talk uses a new lens to encourage individuals to move forward feeling empowered.

Listen: https://bit.ly/2VxaY4E

Find more recommendations: https://bit.ly/3UntM3u

08/22/2025

Getting a breath of fresh air can make someone’s day, and also brighten their mood! Ask a friend to go for a hike, go canoeing, or have a beach day. Try to eliminate distractions and focus on being present as you spend quality time with the person while getting an extra serotonin boost from being outside.

08/20/2025

Here are some questions to guide your journaling and inspire ways to reframe your outlook on life. Whether you are walking through a difficult season of life or wanting to practice mindfulness, answering these prompts can help you change your outlook, motivate yourself, and find peace in this new chapter.

For more journal prompts, sign up for our monthly newsletter: https://bit.ly/4lv06MP

08/18/2025

Release yourself from any guilt surrounding “expected” relationships and how you deal with the loss of a loved one. Grief is different for everyone. Beginning to process your pain is messy. Once you start acknowledging each emotion – grief, guilt, anger, regret, relief, sadness – your grief suddenly becomes a little easier to handle. By naming and sitting with the uncomfortable and painful emotions, you can lessen their power over you.

Begin by acknowledging your emotions and gently turning toward healing strategies—like meditation and mindful breathing, journaling your thoughts, or speaking your pain aloud. These activities can help you process and release some of the tension you feel. Like anything, these activities take time and practice; some days may be more complex than others. Choose to be gentle with yourself, and continue moving forward at your own pace.

To find support, visit our resource page: https://bit.ly/3QQuFjl

08/15/2025

Saski Christian wrote a thoughtful article for Brainz magazine, in which she leverages her experience to empower others to use their pain and struggles as a catalyst for growth.

She lists motivating steps to acknowledge our pain, look to the future, and practice resilience. Whether you are navigating significant life changes, facing unexpected tragedies, or grieving, remember that you can use this space to cultivate growth and perseverance. The article encourages readers to live authentically, honor their experiences, and take steps toward healing and hope. We share Christian’s powerful words to remind our community that their journey, while sometimes painful and uncomfortable, is also filled with hope and endless future possibilities.

Find more recommendations: https://bit.ly/3UntM3u

08/13/2025

When healing from a major loss, grief can feel all-consuming, making it hard to appreciate the little things. Shifting from grieving to gratitude may not come naturally and won’t happen overnight. Instead, practicing gratitude begins with starting small.

Make a list of everyday blessings, like a sunset, a cozy sweater, your favorite meal, or a stranger holding the door open for you. Being mindful of the little things that make your life more beautiful or joyful can help you work through your grief and develop self-compassion.

Address

3980 Cascade Road SE
Grand Rapids, MI
49546

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16169497350

Website

https://www.gerstfuneralhomes.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Funeral Home:

Shortcuts

Address
Telephone
Opening Hours
Alerts
Contact The Practice
Claim ownership or report listing

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Grand Rapids?

About Gerst Funeral Homes

The O’Brien Funeral Home became a licensed funeral home in Grand Rapids in 1885 located in the downtown area, Grand Rapids’ first funeral home. P.H. O’Brien was the original owner. The establishment moved to its new location on Jefferson Ave. several years later. Bonnie O’Brien, son of P.H. O’Brien, and Joseph O’Brien, grandson of P.H. O’Brien, operated the business at the Jefferson location. In 1968, Joseph O’Brien built a new facility at the present location at Cascade and East Paris intersection, completing the first project in early 1969.