Jul 10, 2025 - News

Why we have the San Francisco Columbarium

Nadia Lopez

UNITED STATES - AUGUST 05: The Columbarium is a neo-classical resting place for cremated remains built by the Odd Fellows fraternal organization in 1865 in San Francisco, California Richmond District (Photo by Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images) — The Columbarium was built by the Odd Fellows fraternal organization in 1865. Photo: Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images

At the end of a residential cul-de-sac in the Richmond stands the San Francisco Columbarium — a rare, well-preserved relic of the city's burial past that gives visitors a chance to honor loved ones or explore a striking architectural landmark.

Why it matters: It's one of the last remaining places in San Francisco where families can place urns in remembrance of the dead after most graves were relocated outside city limits in the early 20th century.

Today, it holds the ashes of thousands of San Franciscans.

Between the lines: The structure opened as part of the Odd Fellows Cemetery in 1898, before the city's burial ban went into effect.

Though the Columbarium was spared from demolition, the site fell into disrepair after the Odd Fellows Cemetery was removed in the 1930s, but the structure was restored decades later by the Neptune Society, a cremation company.
The ornate neoclassical building features a 45-foot tall rotunda, domed ceiling, stained glass windows and walls lined with glass front niches, small compartments personalized by the families of those interred there.
Its three floors contain 4,500 niches for cremated remains.

The intrigue: Visitors have reported the site is haunted due to ghostly sightings of a young girl, and hearing whispers, children giggling and footsteps among the urns.

If you go: Open 9am-5pm daily at 1 Loraine Court.

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Why we have the San Francisco Columbarium

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