Columbarium

Opened: 1898

Location: One Loraine Court, San Francisco.

Architect: B.J.S. Cahill.

Originally part of the Odd Fellows Cemetery, the Columbarium today still looms over Geary Boulevard near Stanyan Street. The grand edifice not only survived the spate of cemetery removals in the early 20th century, it has managed to thrive as a beautiful Victorian repository of the dead.

Columbariums date from Roman times, and are defined as structures built to hold cremated remains. San Francisco's example is currently under the stewardship of the Neptune Society which continues to restore and partially renovate the building and surrounding grounds.

The over 5,000 niches within contain a broad sampling of urns from the whimsical (cookie jars) to the ornate (some resembling Aladdin's lamp). Stained glass, skylights, marble stairways and a plethora of architectural detail make even a short walk through the columbarium a wonderful workout for the eyes.

B.J.S. Cahill combined Greek and Roman elements for his neoclassical temple of the dead. Now a registered city landmark, the Columbarium is open to the public. Call the Neptune Society for hours at 415-752-7892.

Image Credits: 1) Columbarium, 1999 (courtesy of the Neptune Society).

Contribute your own stories about western neighborhoods places.!

Page launched 8/20/01