Original Columbarium

At Cypress Lawn: Original Columbarium

 Columbarium

A columbarium is a structure that only holds cremated remains. This original columbarium at Cypress Lawn was the first in the United States to be built inside cemetery grounds.

It dates from 1893, a year after Cypress Lawn opened. There was space for one 1,000 inurnments. Simultaneously, Cypress Lawn opened the first crematory in Northern California.

An earthquake in 1957 compromised the structure. Some remains had to be removed and placed elsewhere, and no additional inurnments can occur there at this time. The columbarium is closed to the public, but you can look inside at the mosaic floor inscribed “Disturb Not the Remains of the Dead” and a spiral staircase leading to a second level.

Click here to view an interactive map of our Memorial Park.