St. Mary Cemetery & Funeral Center

St. Mary Cemetery & Funeral Center, located at 4529 Howe Street in Oakland, California, stands as a historic and sacred landmark within the Catholic community. Established in 1863, it is the first cemetery founded in Oakland, originally serving a single parish on what was then the outskirts of the city. Over the decades, both the parish and the cemetery grew in tandem, and today St. Mary’s encompasses a lush, 42-acre property that offers a serene and dignified final resting place. The cemetery features more than 40 sections for ground burial, several community mausoleums, facilities for ground and above-ground inurnment of cremated remains, and numerous private family mausoleums. The most recent addition, the Saint Joseph section, provides commanding views of the Oakland and San Francisco skyline, with ample space for traditional burial and cremation interment.

As a full-service funeral center, St. Mary’s supports the Catholic burial needs of 25 parishes across Oakland, Alameda, and Berkeley. Over its nearly 145 years of service, more than 70,000 committal services have taken place. The center offers comprehensive end-of-life services, including traditional funeral and cremation options, advanced planning, and immediate need assistance. Families are guided by compassionate family service advisors and funeral staff who provide support and expertise during difficult times.

St. Mary’s is part of Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services (CFCS), which is committed to serving the faith community with integrity and charity. The center offers several distinctive programs: the Pastoral Care Program provides prayer and consolation to recently bereaved families; the All Souls Remembrance Program offers free dignified committal of cremated remains for anyone, regardless of faith; the Mother Teresa Program ensures those in need receive sacred funeral and cemetery services; the Family Heritage Program allows families to transform existing graves or crypts into family estates; and the Precious Lives Program provides financial support and sacred interment for families who have lost a child, including unborn children. A memorial mass is held on the first Saturday of each month.

The cemetery is wheelchair accessible, with accessible entrances and parking. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and closed Sunday. The grounds are open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (or 6:00 PM during daylight saving time). With its rich history, beautiful grounds, and comprehensive services, St. Mary Cemetery & Funeral Center remains a sanctuary for the living and a reverent tribute to those who have passed.