Neptune Society of Northern California

My review is specifically for the Columbarium building. This is an active cemetery, so don’t expect a tourist’s welcome with maps and a gift shop. However, I highly recommend checking it out, as long as you’re respectful, because it truly is breathtaking.
I spent a while exploring the ground floor before I realized there was a locked metal gate blocking the upper levels with a sign that said visitors were allowed by appointment only. However, I asked politely in the office, and the woman said that, even though the upper floors are generally reserved for visiting family, she would let me in. She even turned on some music to really add to the atmosphere. I’m so glad she did as the upper floors are even more fascinating than the bottom.
I probably spent about an hour total just circling all four floors and checking out all the niches. This is definitely a great «off-​the-​beaten-​path» find in San Francisco.

…you just have to go to believe it… a photo-​op to die for…

Mom’s passing was especially difficult for the family. Mom was a true living Saint.
Born and raised a City girl, we knew her final resting place had to be in SF.
Counselor Crystal Zhang at the Columbarium provided a very comforting service during our time of need. Finding a resting place for Mom was made a great deal easier to cope with having Crystal handle our affairs. Thank you, Crystal, for making a trying time much easier on the family.
The Columbarium offers a wonderfully lit niche for Mom, some family pictures, and memorabilia of her favorite team, the Giants.

I was a fan of the SF Columbarium for many years, but finally became a customer myself recently. I purchased my own final resting place (almost certainly the only piece of San Francisco real estate I will ever own!) and paid for my own cremation. I found the sales staff to be very professional, and the process was surprisingly pleasant. When I visit from time-​to-​time, staff will sometimes ask if I have any questions, and when I say that I’m already a future occupant, they brighten up and treat me extra nicely. Death stuff (funeral, cremation, etc.) can be so stressful and harrowing for those left behind to have to handle… It gave me peace of mind to know that my final affairs are squared away, and that if anyone wants to visit my niche, it’s in a great and beautiful place with plenty of good food, etc. in the nearby neighborhood!

One of the more underrated places in SF. So eerily beautiful. First time here and I was fortunate to catch a performance by the Green Street Mortuary Band.

While planning a one week trip to San Francisco, my daughter did some research and found this amazing place online. She doesn’t like seeing the typical touristy attractions. She was also interested because she read that Harvey Milk’s ashes are located at the columbarium. The building is beautiful and we loved learning about it’s history from the lovely lady that was working that day. I regret that I did not get her name. We had the place to ourselves. It was one of the most interesting places we saw on our trip. Besides, you can’t beat the price, FREE! :) They have clean bathrooms and coffee too! If you find yourself in the area, be sure to stop by!

The funeral director Marycruz handling my loved one was excellent. The people on the phones and front desk suck. They need customer service training. Awful.

Not many people I know make their arrangements in advance. If a loved one does convey their wishes before they die, it is much less Herculean to coordinate what needs to be done through tears and the heaviness of grief.
Unlike some of the other reviews here, I found all of the staff to be friendly, considerate, and helpful. If your loved one dies at hospital or at home, NS will coordinate transport. Cremation occurs at a facility in Colma, CA.
Three stars because there were some simple administrative glitches, and I wasn’t notified right away, causing a delay in the process, which was already difficult enough.
If your needs are straightforward, or if you know exactly what you need to coordinate, I have confidence NS will be very helpful to you. Otherwise, do some research, and ensure your expectations are aligned with the services NS provides.

As difficult as it is I made the decision to find a permanent resting place for my mama. I kept her with me for a year but I was feeling like it was selfish to not have a permanent place for her no matter how much I liked having her with me. I sent and inquiry and Cecilia Browne responded. We met and she was incredibly accommodating (I was late due to traffic) and she showed me a level of kindness I don’t even get at home. She let me take my time and showed me everything that was available and let me make a choice without feeling like it was about anything other then being happy with where my mom will rest. She offered up her mobile number without hesitation and made me genuinely feel like she was concerned about me as a person not a customer.
These are never easy decisions but I am so glad someone so kind was there to help me with one of the hardest decisions/​moments of my life. I miss my mama more than anything but I’m glad I have a place that’s pretty for her to rest in and I can visit her.

What a gem! Didn’t even know a place like this exist in SF. So much history! access to the upper floors in the original building has been locked. But the most interesting architectural features and famous names can be found on the main floor.

While the original building is incredibly beautiful, it is not safe. Beware of thieves breaking into niches and stealing precious irreplaceable items. It is absolutely heartbreaking.

What a wonderful Resting Place!
The original building has been restored to near perfection. It’s like walking through time. Each niche has it’s own special appeal.
That said I prefer the newest addition. Hall of Olympians. New building with a nice feeling of freshness.
The Staff are all wonderful people. Very caring and knowledgable.
Now I know I Will Always Be In San Francisco!
I’ve already met some of my future neighbors!
Peace, Love and Hugs

The San Francisco Columbarium is a beautiful, restful place. It’s kind of hard to find but worth the effort.

I contacted the Neptune Society for a funeral and though their prices are competitive the staff who spoke with me on the phone was inept and gave me inaccurate information. The woman I spoke with was very insensitive.

Just checking in here not checking out.
Went to visit a friend of my father’s space. I havent been here in 15 years.
The columbariam is weird, freaky, peaceful, and strangely beautiful.
People buy space so when they pass on their remains (ashes) and artifacts that they cared about are on display: pictures, letters, signed baseballs, buttons and all kinds of cool mementos.
This place is perhaps the most unique in san francisco… a time machine into san francisco’s past.
I forgot which day it is open for visitors (I think tuesdays) but it is worth checking out. You would never in a million years figure it was there unless you know… p. s it is in a cull de sac off of arguello blvd off of Anza.

This is known as the San Francisco Columbarium.
I have been thinking a long time about how to present this review. It is not well known, and not your ordinary place to visit by a long shot. If you are into cemetaries and mausoleums, this is the place for you. If you are into interesting and beautiful Victorian architechture, again, this is the place for you. And if you are among the curious who really get into historical memorials, this is your spot. This is a repository for human ashes.
This non-​denominational building was constructed at the turn of the 19^th century. It is stately, awe inspiring, classic, and beautifully maintained. The stained glass windows in sitting rooms, Neo Classic design, three levels that overlook a gorgeous rotunda are a must see. Those whose names are memorialized here each have their own personal niche. There are over 8,500 of them, some still unoccupied. As you wind up the three levels, you can peer into each small window to see urns, photographs, newspaper articles/​writings, and personal effects that tell a story of each loved one who resides here for eternity.
It is lovingly cared for by the Neptune Society of Northern California, a designated landmark in the city, and open to the public. And according to Wikipedia, there are tours offered. While I have not taken the tour, I can imagine it would be a great addition to your visit.
It is so Victorian and so San Franciscan. This place will draw you in and amuse and fascinate you like nothing else in San Francisco.
There are some great pictures on this link that will give you a great taste of what you can expect.

I’ve been here twice to photograph memorials as a volunteer, and it’s been a pleasant experience each time. The front desk lady, Diane, remembered me right away the second time, and has been more than happy to help me each time, even going the extra mile to walk with me to the niche I might be looking for in case I might have troubles finding it. I don’t really know –how– to recommend this, but, the experience ought to be enjoyable no matter your reason for visiting!

One of the SF monuments that is a must see! Yes, I know it’s a «cemetery» and you’re scared to go because it’s «creepy.» You’re missing out. This should really be on everyone’s agenda when they visit the city because there’s no other place on earth like it. The original columbarium was recently renovated and is gorgeous, but now they have added on even more space along the side. If you are looking for a place to buried your loved one in the city, this is the place you were looking for. Yes, it’s pricey, but what do you expect at a place like this? It doesn’t cost anything to visit, but pay attention to the hours! Harvey Milk is buried here!!!

Mom received a card in the mail inviting one and all to come and visit the Columbarium to discuss pre-​needs. I can’t figure out if it’s just a standard neighborhood mailing or if we got on some local list after my brother passed away just over a year ago.
Whatever the reason, I’m glad she shooed us to attend this look at what is an absolutely magnificent piece of San Francisco history, as well as to discuss the needs of our family in death.
I correct the Unilocaler who wrote that it holds approximately 30k people. Today Emmitt estimated 80k. Emmitt Watson, the caretaker with a fascinating personality, is indeed an historian in his own right. He has painstakingly returned every single apartment/​condo/​niche to its glory. Water rained in the Columbarium for some 13 years prior to Emmitt taking over the care of the property. Many were already interred at that time, so he had the responsibility of repainting (like Victorian painting where every crevice is important in the crown moulding), repairing, and restoring. He says his work is never done. And when you look at the place, you can understand why.
Did you know that back in the day people would share urns? A look at some of the inscriptions include as many as 8 family members. What I liked most about some of the niches was the personal touch that people can add to their loved ones’ final resting place. Whether it was the Elvis piggy bank holding someone’s ashes, the ceramic baseball, or the tomatoes that Emmitt placed to flank a couple’s niche who tilled their tomato gardens until the wife’s passing, you can let that person’s life really shine through.
It is cold, but beautiful. Quiet, but without haunting echos. Dad wants to be cast into the sea, so that is what we will do. For those who choose this resting place, however, it is very special indeed.

I’m creepy and I’m kooky,
Mysterious and spooky,
I’m altogether ooky,
The Columbarium.
The place is a museum
Where people come to see ‘em
It’s really not a scre-​am
The Columbarium.
(Snap, snap)
I’ve been wanting to come here since Huell Howser kept waxing about it with his heavy Southern drawl on the PBS show, «California’s Gold». People can’t get buried in the city anymore because the two cemeteries left in the city are full up. This is the alternative. From the outside, it’s a beautiful, Victorian-​era building that looks like an observatory. The small place isn’t what I expected when I walked in.
It’s just a serene space with a very high ceiling, a bit musty understandably but lit mainly by the natural light coming through the meticulously designed stained glass windows, especially the one way above in the top of the rotunda. There are rows and rows of little windows with urns in them. They’re the vaults people pay for to get ready for the hereafter. Sometimes you’ll see family pictures and various tscotchkes, which I assume to be keepsakes of the deceased.
There are three floors of vaults, so there are spaces available, I imagine. In fact, the people who buy the vaults — but have not kicked the bucket yet — throw an annual cocktail party so they can get to know each other now. Kinda creepy but comforting at the same time. I’m afraid I’d be the type who’d turn on a Dustbuster in the middle of the pre-​mortem festivities. Otherwise it’s a tranquil place at the end of a residential court, just an easy stroll from the hectic intersection of Geary and Arguello.
Neat
Sweet
Petite
I’ll get a witches’ shawl on
A broomstick I can crawl on
I’m gonna pay a call on
The Columbarium.
(Snap, snap)