Tucked away on a quiet, tree-lined court in San Francisco’s Richmond District stands a magnificent copper-domed building, a true architectural treasure and a profound piece of Bay Area history: the San Francisco Columbarium.
For over 125 years, this stunning Neoclassical landmark has served as a final resting place for generations of San Franciscans. Its story is one of resilience, artistry, and enduring community significance.
The Gilded Age: An Odd Fellows Beginning (1898)
The story begins in 1898. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a prominent fraternal organization, commissioned the renowned British architect Bernard J.S. Cahill to design a grand columbarium for their 167-acre cemetery in the heart of what was then the "Outside Lands."
Cahill envisioned a structure of timeless beauty. Drawing inspiration from classical Roman and Greek architecture, he designed a building featuring a majestic rotunda, a soaring dome, and exquisite details, including mosaic tile floors and intricate stained-glass windows depicting the four seasons.
The Columbarium was part of the larger Odd Fellows Cemetery, which was one of the "Big Four" cemeteries in San Francisco, alongside Laurel Hill, Calvary, and Masonic cemeteries. [1]
The Great Upheaval: Banishment and Neglect (1910-1970s)
In 1910, the City of San Francisco made a decision that would change its landscape forever: it banned all new burials within city limits. Over the next few decades, the city’s major cemeteries were moved to the town of Colma, just south of the city.
The Odd Fellows Cemetery was no exception. By the 1930s, the vast cemetery surrounding the Columbarium was gone, replaced by the homes and streets of the growing Richmond District. The Columbarium, however, was spared from demolition. It stood alone, a silent, beautiful remnant of a bygone era.
For the next 40 years, the building fell into a state of disrepair. It was largely abandoned, visited only by the few remaining families whose loved ones were interred there. The once-gleaming dome tarnished, and the beautiful interiors gathered dust.
A Renaissance: The Neptune Society and Restoration (1980)
The Columbarium’s rebirth began in 1980 when it was purchased by the Neptune Society of Northern California. Recognizing the building’s immense historical and cultural value, the society embarked on an ambitious restoration project.
Under the guidance of Emmeline "Mimi" Koufis, the building was lovingly brought back to its former glory. The stained glass was repaired, the mosaics polished, and the structure made safe and welcoming once more. The Columbarium was added to the National Register of Historic Places and officially designated as a San Francisco Landmark.
It reopened as the Bay Area’s only nondenominational columbarium, a place for all San Franciscans, regardless of faith or background, to find a permanent and beautiful resting place in the city they loved.
The San Francisco Columbarium Today
Today, the San Francisco Columbarium & Funeral Home stands as a vibrant, active memorial. It is home to the remains of some of the city’s most prominent pioneering families, including the Folgers, the Eddys, and the Spreckels, as well as artists, musicians, and generations of everyday San Franciscans.
It is a place of quiet reflection, a living museum, and a testament to the enduring spirit of San Francisco. For over 125 years, it has offered a place of solace and beauty, a permanent connection to the heart of the city.
We invite you to become a part of this history. Schedule a private tour to experience the timeless beauty of the San Francisco Columbarium for yourself.