Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery

St Mary’s is the largest and oldest cemetery in Colma. This necropolis is the final resting place of more than 351,000 people since it opened in 1887. The graves of many legendary Californians can be found here, and so are almost all of my S. F ancestors and their kin.
It is a fascinating place to explore. If you pick up a walking brochure at the office you can find the graves of many of the people who help create and change San Francisco. If history is not interesting to you, perhaps you might enjoy walking under the stately, century old trees with only the sound of birds to break the quite. When I visit I do listen to my favorite version of Danny Boy
This is not my favorite of the 17 cemeteries in Colma to explore; it just isn’t as photogenic as some of the others. Nevertheless, it is a must visit if you enjoy cemetery exploration.

Peaceful!!! Most of my family is layed to rest here. Just be aware of your surroundings if you go alone. It’s NOT the dead you have to worry about it’s the living!!. Be sure to lock your car doors and secure items inside trunk.
Pretty sad when folks starts to steal at cemeteries!

Not a good first impression to me. I emailed them to enquire about the possibility of myself being interred there although I’m not Catholic but my son is. The person who replied did not even have the courtesy to acknowledge my name nor that I may be a potential future client. I just received a three sentence reply. No thanks for my interest in their cemetery either. I let it go, and even re-​contacted the sender about pricing to verify as it is not very clear as to what they stated on their website. Received a late reply. Again there was no acknowledgment that I am an actual person who took the time to write to this cemetery with courtesy shown them. And they are Catholic… Oh, and the person who replied to me both times? The director… Reminds me of another director-​at the hospice my dad died at. Same non-​courteous attitude, unprofessionalism shown. Is this what is passing for professionalism these days? How terrible. Well, I will scratch this place off my short list.

I cannot say burying my mother was a pleasant experience, but Norm at Holy Cross held our hands and really helped us get through this. His kindness and compassion seemingly have no bounds. The staff was pleasant and professional., and the grounds are beautiful and well maintained.

I’m going to attempt to describe my recent visit to Holy Cross Cemetery. My first impression was «wow, this place is enormous.» I was very impressed with their traffic management protocol as we had several dozen cars following the hearse. As we wound our way to my cousin’s final resting place, I noticed that the grounds were well kept. When we arrived at the mausoleum, cemetery staff were very respectful and patient. They were very careful in placing the casket in the mausoleum. They waited until the family left to seal it. As in all final resting places, this particular spot is one of the best. Rest in Peace Cuzin Winifredo!

The one star review is specifically directed to the subject an animal control problem and lack of initiative from the management over the years. The Catholic cemetery itself is fortunate to have. ‘Thank you God’. The reason for choosing a Catholic cemetery is because it is presumably «sacred ground» within the embrace of the Catholic Church.
How then can the Archdiocese allow Canadian Geese to desecrate this «sacred ground» and the resting souls ?
Last week I witnessed a burial close to my family monument where the deceased’s family members, well dressed and in mourning, were picking up large quantities of goose defecation with plastic bags. How irreverent and disgusting. My family monument was covered also and the grounds leading to it were a ‘land-​mine field’ of defecation.
This has gone on for years and it has now hit the end point for me.
Canadian Geese have developed an un-​natural habit of invading well groomed lawn areas and interrupting their normal migration behavior in favor of lingering where it is pleasant for them. They may be a federally protected species, but that means one can not hunt them.
These geese seem to NOT land in large numbers where vertical stone monuments line the field. They see the obvious obstacles from the air and choose the flat monument areas. They of course can walk anywhere after they land but mostly desecrate the flat monument areas.
It is not illegal to non-​invasively discourage their presence.
The management could place large plastic cones between flat monuments during the high season of these invasive geese.
That would discourage their landing choices.
Or the management could install rigid holes of small diameter in between the monuments in order to place plastic or aluminum rods/​poles with flags on the ends to also discourage and interrupt landing choices. (change your rules management).
As a matter of public health they could even go so far as get a permit to hire a falconer in order to train the geese that the area is unfriendly without causing harm to the protected fowls.
Doing nothing simply indicates that «sacred ground’ means nothing and public health means nothing.
If the public cherishes their family and respects sacred teachings, then perhaps this cemetery is not the right choice under these circumstances of management disregard and disrespect.
Upgrading the resting place to another location at Holy Cross cemetery is not an option in light of this seemingly lack of regard and contrary «sacred ground».
Please enact some initiative. NOW.
I was planning on a family mausoleum but now I may begin to look for another cemetery that affords dignity and respect. Faith has no borders.
God Bless !

Of course my review is biased I’ve got family here. Best catholic cemetery because of the beautiful decorations that people do for their beloved. See the old tomb stones

Nice place, they just don’t pick up the rotten flowers all the time.

Very nice cemetery. Huge, in fact. I have relatives buried here and the grounds are always well taken care of when I come visit. One thing I will say about this place is that they are very strict about how long Xmas decorations will be left on the headstones. They will remove said decorations usually around Feb. 1^st. They are probably strict about all decorations for various holidays. This one is just the most noticeable.
Many places to be buried if you want to be cremated. Had a friend that passed away in a vertical tomb (whatever you call those). Very well done in terms of layout and ambiance. Definitely feels like a holy place.
If you’re visiting, weather tends to be very windy, even when it’s sunny, so bundle up.

We recently put my grandmother’s ashes into a wall here. Its a beautiful cemetery. Gorgeous trees, grass and flowers everywhere. Its a peaceful resting place. Huge and lots to look at. The workers here were very friendly and helpful.

Pretty big cemetery. I have my grandparents and uncle buried there, so I pay my respects.

Almost all my members who have died are buried here. We actually have them all located near each other. My siblings and I, and some of my aunts and other relatives have also pre-​purchased our «plot».
Only downside are the geese who poop all over the place, but I guess would be the same in all the neighboring cemeteries.
It is beautiful here during mother’s day, father’s day, christmas and special occasions when you see a sea of flowers and balloons. Their grounds are well-​maintained and are green compared to some other cemeteries that look so bare with dirt.

Yes I am writing a review of a Cemetery. My grandfather is buried here so I come to visit every weekend while home. It’s a very nice and serene environment where you can go to visit loved ones or explore around at night.
The only problem is that during some seasons while the geese are migrating, they leave droppings all over the place. You have to play minesweeper on the grass in order to avoid getting dung on your shoes.
Other than that, the cemetary has water stations to feed your bouquet of flowers, trash bins to throw away the garbage, and flower shops in close vicinity to restock on decorations. Top notch quality cemetary!

One of a few Catholic Cemeteries around. Joe di Maggio’s final resting place is here.
I come here often because my Grandma (R.I.P.) is here too. I find peace driving through this place, so peaceful, well maintained. This place is huge! On special occasions, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, etc. you will find people having picnics here.

A good friend’s mother was laid to rest here. The grounds are beautiful with many masoleums. What particularly stood out was how they conduct their «graveside» services. There is a round structure in the middle of the cemetary with a scalloped roof that looks like it could be the covering of a merry-​go-​round. The building has several rooms which are used to conduct the service. There are a few pews for family members, enough standing room for approximately 40 people. You are able to bid your final farewells indoors, rather than at the actual grave. Graveside services can be very difficult to experience as you watch a loved one lowered into the ground. This service takes that unpleasantness away.

A good friend of mine is buried here and its been a few years since Ive been back to pay my respects but I have a trip coming up very soon and it is on my check list of things that I need to do.
I’m not really sure on how to comment on a cemetery as I wasn’t exactly paying attention to details of the area while the ceremony was going on. I do remember that it was a very large and we had to drive around a bit to get to where we needed to be.
Rose, you shouldn’t be here. You should be alive and well, with your kids, your husband, your family and your friends. Miss you.

Immense. This cemetery is huge! I have several family members and friends who are laid to rest here. I don’t come visit as often as I should but when I do, I usually «make the rounds». I particularly like venturing into the older part of the place where the tombstones have character and are very original.
I personally don’t want to be buried when I die because the thought of being in the dirt for eternity doesn’t seem too pleasant.

Ever since my ma in-​law passed away, we’ve regularly paid a visit here at All Saints Mausoleum situated on the grounds of Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in the city of Colma, California.
Ironically, my uncle was also buried here and is only footsteps away from the mausoleum up the hill in an area for those who are proud to have served our country. I’ve paid my respects as well…
Besides the notables mentioned by fellow Unilocaler Manabu M. and others, Holy Cross is also the largest and the oldest cemetery in Colma.
There’s a catholic chapel in All Saints Mausoleum which holds a mass service at 11 am every first Saturday of the month so many take this opportunity to visit loved ones and catch mass all in one place. During our visits, I’ve noticed that the cemetery grounds here are well kept and I can say the same for the upkeep of All Saints Mausoleum.
Though It feels strange having to rate this review using the Unilocal star definitions, my five stars equate to how completely pleased and satisfied I am with the cemetery, the mausoleum and services offered.
For those who call Holy Cross their final resting place may you all rest in peace Amen…

There are more dead people in this town than live people. (the towns business is primarily cemeteries)
This is where Maude stole Harold’s hearse.
Maude: «Your hearse?!»
Harold: «Yours!»
Also, where Maude ate an apple during the funeral. Where Maude walked out of the funeral with a bright yellow umbrella and everyone else, except Harold who had nothing, had black umbrellas.
This place is HUGE. The town is literally more cemeteries than anything else… which is always fab.
We took the exact photo of where Maude disrupted the priest during his eulogy (?) at the funeral. This is also where the priest asked «the old lady» if she was not the one who stole his car earlier? Of course, she said Yes. The priest asked if she was also the one who: «painted the saint?» Which she had. (I found the clip once that they cut from the movie where she did draw a smile on a statue of a saint.)
And to think in real life Ruth Gordon, ‘Maude’ Chassen, never learned to drive. Imagine that!

Holy Cross is huge! The staff are also very helpful if you need to find a dead person too. We were able to find fiancé’s great grandparents here, buried 70 years ago. You can call first or just go to the office on site.
Also, it’s great to bring your dog here if you don’t want to/can’t in my case, bring him to a dog park or other open area. There is lots of open space here and no one to bother you at all.