History

The Neptune Society SF Columbarium is a historical non-secular mausoleum, a resting place for those who are cremated. The Columbarium was opened in 1898 and was originally a part of San Francisco's Odd Fellows Cemetery established in November of 1865. The Odd Fellows cemetery was founded by the Odd Fellows Society, a group that formed in the 1700's and whose mission was to help those in need. The Cemetery stretched across 167 acres and when established was outside of the San Francisco city limits; however, the land's city limits were moved past the cemetery. The Cemetery was torn apart in the early 1930's, along with four other SF cemeteries, to make room for the Bay Area's steadily growing population. The burials were relocated to Greenlawn Cemetery and all that was left standing of Odd Fellows Cemetery was the Columbarium. Following the 1930's, the mausoleum had a variety of owners and during that time steadily began to depreciate. The Columbarium was abandoned and uncared for. It wasn't until 1979 when it first came under the care of The Neptune Society of Northern California that the building was restored. In 1996, the site was decreed a San Francisco Landmark and has been a thriving facility since its restoration. The urns of the building hold many infamous and beloved San Franciscans, such as the mother of Carlos Santana, Chet Helms and Harvey Milk.