We were in town on vacation and this was in my list to visit, I'm so glad we went early this is a massive cemetery and I wanted to see as much as possible. We saw a few famous people who are buried here. This truly is one of the most beautiful cemeteries I've seen in awhile the mausoleums are gorgeous Lots of walking and hills a beautiful sunny day. read more

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TL:DR - quick to take your money but extremely slow/no response with mediocre communication I delayed on making a niche for my Father's site because I needed to reach out to family members to get the correct chinese character inscripted on there. I emailed Anthony on 2 separate occasions regarding the niche and I did not receive a response (within a month time). I called a few months later expressing my frustration about Anthony's nonresponse and was told that I would receive a call back within a business day (after leaving a message with one of the associates there). I did not receive a call back. By now, I'm extremely frustrated. I spent 15K for my father's plot with no niche and no response. I called back a second time and asked my call to be elevated to a supervisor or someone that can assist me. I spoke to Melissa - she was extremely communicative and responsive, or so I thought. I paid 1.6k for the niche immediately and asked for estimated time of completion. Office's response on Jan 19th - "I have to wait for the file to get back from accounting then I can submit the order. It normally takes 10 business days to receive the layout for you to review. Once it's approved by your family, It takes 4 to 6 weeks for engraving to be completed. I should have the layout for you by the end of January." It is March 16, I just received the layout to be approved. This is far from the 10 business days, more like almost 2 months. I think the sloths at the DMV work faster and are more responsive. read more

Beautiful, many old tombstones here. I personally didn't feel like it was creepy at all. I even saw deer and butterfly on my daytime visit here on a Sunday. They have public visit days/hours. I was asked to sign in when I went. Parking is free inside and I walked/jogged around. I heard hills here are good, and that is definitely true if you want to work on hills. It's very peaceful. Certain tombstones are unique and interesting. There's a lot here to learn about, I've got many questions I'd like to research now that I've been here. If you check their website there is a map, history, and you can read up on significant people buried here. My only night visit was years ago during the holiday season, when the holiday lights are out. I need to revisit during the upcoming holiday season since it's been so long. I remember them being pretty, and not scary despite it being a cemetery at night and all. Overall, this is a beautiful place. Many people bring dogs here and I've seen other joggers/walkers here as well. read more

Mountain View Cemetery - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Oakland, California

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Mountain View has been well managed and maintained by a very professional manner. We have been using their services for decades and have not had any problems. I would recommend this place wholeheartedly without a doubt. read more

Beautiful sanctuaries and grounds, excellent professional staff, immaculate attention to detail. I recently attended a funeral here for one of my dear residents who has passed on. The breathtaking beauty of the sanctuary in which her services were held magnified the beauty of the life we were celebrating. The grounds are well manicured and the views are amazing. If you love Oakland (as my resident did), this is an excellent place to rest the physical being. read more

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I've been visiting Mountain View Cemetery for many years, as several of my family members are buried here, including my grandmother. What used to be a beautifully maintained and peaceful resting place has unfortunately declined in condition over the past few years. The lawns--especially on the hillside and back areas--have become dry, patchy, and neglected. Irrigation seems inconsistent, and in some sections, the grass has died off completely. It's heartbreaking to see the area looking so unkempt when this should be a place of respect and care for loved ones who rest here. Families pay for perpetual care expecting that the grounds will be maintained with dignity, but that simply isn't happening. When I've reached out with concerns, I've been met with vague assurances or temporary fixes, yet no lasting improvement. It's extremely disappointing to see such a historic and once-beautiful cemetery fall into this state of disrepair. I truly hope the management and board of directors will take responsibility, restore proper maintenance, and bring back the level of care this sacred place deserves. read more

As a pastor, I find myself in cemeteries more often than the average person. This particular one, I've visited a couple of times, and let me tell you, the view from the top of the hill is nothing short of amazing! Check out the skyline view of downtown Oakland in my picture. What you can't capture in a photo is the panoramic beauty that includes the downtown Oakland skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the downtown San Francisco skylines. Truly breathtaking! Now, why not the full 5 stars? Well, I haven't worked closely with the staff beyond the funerals I officiate, but every interaction has been helpful and caring. Their support shines through in how they engage with the families during interments. If you find yourself in the area and in need of a resting place for a loved one, give them a call. Take a visit and see where your loved one will spend their final chapter. The view is not just of the skyline; it's a peaceful setting that might bring comfort in a challenging time. read more

Mountain View Cemetery - View from the mountain toward downtown Oakland. - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Oakland, California

BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING CEMETERY, PRETTY MUCH IN THE HEART OF OAKTOWN. This is one of them huge, Park-like cemeteries that became fashionable at the end of the 19th century in the beginning of the 20th century. And it excels all the way around. It is beautiful and inspiring, and contains graves and monuments to many of California's pioneers and most prominent families. And if you go up to the top of the rise, you will get Lovely panoramic views of the bay area from there. People are literally dying to get in here, and I can certainly see why. You could easily spend half a day walking around, exploring the grounds and looking at the gravestones and monuments. It is phenomenal and definitely worth a trip! read more

Beautiful grounds. No matter the season it's always so nice. Great & thoughtful customer service.

I lived in Oakland for 18 years. I'm currently in town for a friend's memorial and had an hour to spare while on Piedmont so I came over to the cemetery to decompress and reflect on the passing of a few friends since September. When I walked in I was immediately stopped and told the cemetery is closed for "recreation" on Tuesdays. WTH?! When I moved out of Oakland last year they had started cracking down on dogs coming into the place but now people too? I really needed this space right now and it hurts my heart that I can't access it. If you can get in, it's a magnificent spot. I'd give 5 stars otherwise but not today. read more

I have (2) family members buried here. We were never able to afford a grave marker so I finally was able to save enough to purchase one. I emailed them and came in person multiple times. Every time I came in they always took my information down and said someone would get back to me. They never let me purchase or talk to someone on the spot. I never received an email or phone call in response. Finally, on my third time coming into the office I came into contact with an individual who was able to do the purchase on the spot for me. He was very nice and kind. He apologized for no one responding for so long and felt terrible. They apparently have a call log for inquiries and we assumed it was on someone's desk as he tried to find it to see who took my inquiry on those days I came in earlier. He never found the inquiry binder! He took his time and provided me with binders of information and did the calculations for me. There was no pressure at from him and he even said I can shop around at other places too. Since then, it's been 6 months and the grave marker is not installed. I've emailed them 3 times over the last 3 weeks and no response. Communication is terrible here! Never again doing business with them. read more

I love it here, even though it's a little bit dead. Jokes aside, it's a great place to walk around safely! read more

I came here for a friend's funeral, and everyone on the grounds were helpful. I got lost after the security guard directed me to the chapel where the funeral was held. And when a golf cart with two staff members were near the hill area where I was, I asked them how to get to the chapel. The staff member, Miguel, tried to point out the place and then decided to go down the hill and direct me there instead. He was so kind to show me around. The grounds seemed well kept, and the funeral, which was conducted in an Orthodox Christian style, was considerate of and acknowledged the family's different background as well. I'm grateful that this place has very kind and considerate staff members. read more

Final resting place for Julia Morgan, an American architect and engineer. She designed more than 700 buildings in California, was the first woman accepted into the prestigious architecture program at l'École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, and is known for being the architect of Hearst Castle. She designed the Chapel of Chimes right next door which I am in love with and we paid our respects last time we went to walk around Chapel of Chimes. Chimes is one of the coolest hidden gems in East Bay and worth checking out just to experience such a uniquely designed space. Her tombstone is easy to find using google maps and the drive is quite pleasant, a nice windy route with different elevations. I've always thought her gothic-moorish style was of the Victorian era and it was a surprise to see she was alive until 1957. read more

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It seems to me you have two choices as to what position you take in a cemetery. You could be upright and walking about, or you could lie down in eternal peace six feet under. Since I have the choice, at least for now, I chose to walk, especially since Mountain View offers 226 acres at the northern end of Piedmont Avenue. Even though I lived by this cemetery for years, I never had reason to come here. Gratefully. But given my current proclivity to accumulate FitBit steps. I've discovered it as a contemplative place with plenty of hills to challenge my thighs. I had no idea it was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the legendary landscape architect who designed NYC's Central Park and Golden Gate Park. However, he was the marquee name who attracted the remains of California's wealthiest historical figures. There's even a ridge called Millionaires' Row full of mammoth crypts fit for Egyptian kings. While it's no Hollywood Forever with deceased movie stars (review: https://bit.ly/3oKg5v7), you can find the burial plots for architects Bernard Maybeck and Julia Morgan, author Frank Norris, and shipbuilder Henry J. Kaiser. If those names don't thrill you, just take a walk. It's free. Plus the panoramic hillside views are really nice. RELATED - Exploring Oakland? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2ObVcpQ read more

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I rarely write a review on anything other than food establishments, but I have branched out some due to the pandemic. Since I had some extra time during a day's outing I came here serendipitously to pay a visit. I haven't been in many years. The location and setting is stellar, and the views quite beautiful. They do have a guard at the entrance, so be prepared for questions. It is simply fascinating to just roam and look at tombstones and see the various families of all ethnicities buried here. It covers a time frame from the early 1800s to today. Some of the statuary is museum quality. Some very famous people are buried here, and I came specifically to visit Julia Morgan, one of California's most prolific architects and one of the first women in the field. Just like Julia her burial place is unassuming and with a number of other family members. For the woman who designed and created Hearst Castle her monument is nowhere near as grand. Did the Hearst family miss an opportunity to do something to elevate a great professional who did so much for them? The cemetary, which undoubtedly is a difficult thing to maintain, is in a bit of disrepair. Walkways, roads and vegetation need some TLC. For anyone who's been to cemeteries in Europe , or even the Ricoleta in Buenos Aires, the condition is disrespectful. There are so many walkers, dog walkers and people using it as a park. That is really nice to see. read more

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Beautiful place, but the service is seriously lacking. After my mom passed last year I was finally able to bury my step-father with his family at Mt. View. From moment one, their communication skills were lacking. It was difficult to get answers back from them, despite the fact they had my 8k already and it took 2 months to get everything set in motion. 8 months later the headstone was finished and installed. When I finally saw it today at the gravesite, they had misspelled his name. I panicked thinking it was my fault and I had not been more careful, since this is one thing they should be good at. Nope. The two proofs I approve had the correct spelling. Waiting to see how they respond to my email. Anything short of it will be corrected within a week is unacceptable. read more

Great place to bury loved ones here. The Fengshui feels better than most cemeteries in the area. Beautiful views in all or various parts of the area and it felt quite peaceful here. It's also a great place to stretch and walk around if you are in the Piedmont, CA neighborhood. I didn't see anything weird or ghetto inside the cemetery, but there will be cars driving slowly and circling around at times. People were walking their dogs and walking with their families and friends. There were plenty of free street parking in all directions away from the main office and chapel building. If it's your first time here, just count the number of water fountains you pass by and keep going uphill. If you get too far up, just follow the roads going downhills which will lead you back to the front area. Watch out for pot holes and ditches or uneven roads, especially during rainy days. I walked around and was able to observe all the different types of gravestones and plots. They definitely have a wide variety of choices here. City views were beautiful all around from the very top. The place is well maintained and is constantly digging and developing, making space for new plots. It felt pretty full no matter how you look at it, but it's really a great option for folks who can afford it. The sales office staff was friendly and resourceful. I haven't purchased a plot here yet, so I won't be able to comment on pricing, but at least it's a great place to hold a funeral service. Look around and you will find beautiful views too. read more

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My brother passed away suddenly back in May and my sister called to make arrangements to coordinate with the funeral home in Washington state to bring his ashes back to California to be buried with his parents at Mountain View. My mother and stepfather are buried here in Mountain View together and so my brother's last wishes that he wanted to be buried with his parents and he got his wish. He was buried here on June 16, 2021 but my sister and I did not want to attend the burial as it was just still too fresh for us. My husband and I came to visit the day after Father's Day and he looks perfect next to his parents. Now we will have to replace the tombstone a second time to include his name. read more

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It feels weird to review a Cemetery but I thought I would add to this since I saw it show up on my Yelp. Yes, there are nice paths where people walk/hike and bring their dogs, and at the top of the hills there are really nice views of Oakland and the Bay, but that's not the main thing I wanted to talk about, although I would like to say I hope people visiting the cemetery who aren't there for a funeral or to visit a loved one's plot treat the area with respect and that means not leaving a mess. I'm Chinese American and in at least Chinese culture there are times of the years when you're supposed to visit loved ones' grave sites, as well as visit on either birthdays or anniversaries of their deaths. I live in Oakland and try to visit as much as I can. I have several relatives whose final resting place is at the cemetery including my maternal grandmother and grandfather, some aunts and uncles, and most recently my father. They are spread out at different sections of the cemetery, not in a family plot or masoleum. My family has interacted with the staff several times for different types of placements and services and we have found the staff to be very helpful, especially Eric Saddler. Most recently my father's health was declining and he was very helpful in laying out the options which we were able to figure out before my dad passed away. Interesting fact, if you sign the paperwork before their services are needed, even the day before someone passes, it ends up being cheaper than in unplanned /last minute situations where they have to rapidly respond. I know not everyone is able to plan ahead of time, however the situation with my dad (of which my mom will also be placed in the same area) helps add some peace of mind about the future. During the situation with my dad, some relatives decided to purchase plots in the cemetary for the future, and given everything in our economy keeps on getting more expensive, it's probably a better deal to do it sooner than later. It seems like they have a variety of different options based on preference as well as price ranges. read more

This review is long and long overdue. My father passed away in July 2022 and is forever resting at Mountain View Cemetery. This review is not about the cemetery setting/grounds. It's serene and beautiful there, although the roads could be repaired to be in better shape. The rating for the cemetery grounds and the setting is five stars. This review is about our experience with Piedmont Funeral Services. Overall, the service was pleasant. However, the funeral director is another story. Before I get to his disappointing performance, here are a few things we learned during funeral planning: - You're not required to purchase caskets with them or any funeral home. You can buy them through a third-party vendor, with potential savings in the thousands, depending on what you select. - If you're buying from an online vendor, here are a few watch-outs: - - The delivery of the casket can be made directly to Piedmont Funeral Services, but you will need to set up a delivery date & time with your Piedmont Funeral Services service rep in advance as you will need to meet the delivery driver to accept the delivery of the casket. -- The Piedmont Funeral Service team will not accept the delivery of the casket on your behalf. They are not legally obligated to do so, and they will likely add a few more obstacles to make this delivery more complicated as they cannot profit from the sale of this casket. -- The delivery address will likely be 4498 Piedmont, where the deceased are delivered, as the loading dock leads directly to their morgue. Accessing 4498 Piedmont will require a delivery truck to go down Ramona Street, which can get extremely narrow when cars are parked on both sides of the street. The narrowness of the street may be problematic for delivery truck drivers. -- Piedmont Funeral Services will not dispose of any packaging material. To avoid the headache of packing material disposal (boxes, foam packing, etc.), coordinate the removal of the packaging before delivery. Working with a local casket vendor, such as Divine Caskets, is recommended, as they will work with you to coordinate a smooth delivery using their local drivers. If the delivery is via UPS/FedEx, DHL, etc., they are not obligated to help you remove the casket from the packaging or dispose of the packing materials. If you're personally set up to remove the casket from the packaging and dispose of the packaging, then you're set. Overall, our family services director, Tony He, was easy to work with. There was a fair amount of waiting for his responses, but once the date of the funeral service was set, coordination was fairly easy. In fact, my mom was super pleased with his guidance during the funeral services and wanted to thank him personally. The low rating stems from the interactions with Bruce Williams, the funeral director. It was clear he was dismayed at our decision to purchase a casket outside of Piemont Funeral Services. After receipt of the casket, he announced that my father must be embalmed in an effort to add revenue. California law does not require embalmment, and when we reconfirmed our decision of no embalmment, he then went on to say that my father was likely to be completely disfigured and that without embalmment, an open casket would not be an option. I was present when my father passed peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family. I was there when the nurse came to the house to declare his death officially and when he was placed into a body bag and moved to the funeral home. I know how my dad passed and the condition he was last in, so nothing made me happier than getting mansplained by Williams about how my dad died and the horrible disfigurement he was in, thus mandating embalmment. To demonstrate his dominance by shouting and speaking over you, Williams declared that he was only obligated to drape my father in a white sheet, completely unclothed underneath, after we paid $410 for the "dressing and casketing" fee. When we repeatedly asked what the $410 fee for dressing and casketing fee covered, he refused to answer and then announced that he would gladly return my father's body to us to find another funeral service. That's when Tony stepped in and asked if we would be willing to see our dad in the morgue to confirm his condition. We signed a release form allowing us to see him, and sure enough, my dad was in the same condition as when he passed. His face wasn't purple, and there was no disfigurement. Willams had no additional comment after that viewing. We were already mourning the loss of our father, so having such an enraging and disappointing experience with the funeral director made things more traumatic. It's a shame Williams conducted himself the way he did. He should have known better. He should have been better. If you decide to work with Piedmont Funeral Services, it's safe to say most of the staff there is pleasant, but be wary of Williams should you need to interact with him. read more

This is by far the most beautiful graveyard I've ever seen, and I've been to graveyards across the United States, and even other countries! I grew up very close to here and while this was always (and I hope still is!) the hangout spot for all the high schoolers, the beauty of this place is what inspired me to check out graveyards whenever I travel to a new place! So if you're visiting the Bay Area, or are a local and just haven't experienced this place, this is definitely a "must see" for anyone of all ages! (The picture is me and my late dog "Sugar," having some fun here. This is also a great place to walk your dog or go for a run!) read more

Mountain View Cemetery - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Oakland, California

Only rating the view from the top, which delivers a stunning look at the Bay area. It's very peaceful and beautifully maintained! read more

Mountain View Cemetery - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Oakland, California

This cemetary is like no other. My grandfather and great grandfather are buried here so it used to be more of a sad place for me to come. But now that I have grown and read more about grief and loss I come here to visit them, walk our dogs, appreciate life, be in nature and feel the fresh air on my face. My friends and family think I'm weird for coming here to walk our dogs but they don't see how this could be a full circle experience. There are a lot of other people who agree. Today was pretty busy since COVID-19 pandemic lock down. So people can only got out to walk with 6 ft social distancing. Usually it's more serene and peaceful. There are a lot of beautiful graves, ponds (they could be cleaned), city views, fresh air, tall trees and lots of different paths. We have seen graves from the 1800! read more

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When loved ones are taken away too soon, you can't help but wish that goblins, spirits, ghosts and dust bunnies are real. Then we can be invited into their 3rd dimensional universe and have visitation rights to be with loved ones on a spiritual plain. XOXO miss YOU all SO much! This cemetery is tranquil and absolutely glorious. If you travel to the top of the hill, you will see million dollar views of the Bay Area. Even on the gloomiest day, it's breathtaking! Not only do people come to pay respect to the unliving, you will also see couples leisurely walking hand-in-hand, dogs walking their humans, bikers, walkers, and runners. The one of a kind headstones and crypts are like art sculptures. Don't miss the big pyramid near the entrance towards the right side, it's a pretty cool forever home for the unliving. Just please be respectful at all times and keep this cemetery beautiful. read more

Mountain View Cemetery - Offerings and respect - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Oakland, California

This used to be one of our favorite spots to walk when we visited Piedmont. Then Mountain View cemetery illegally uprooted and removed hundreds of ancient oak trees. The city of Oakland is now suing them. Apparently the hillsides are now unstable with the removal of trees, root systems, and rocks. All because they wanted to make $$$. Used to be one of the nicest places to go for a walk :( They continue to close the cemetery to the public despite the fact that a) this place is entirely outdoors, b) there's MORE than abundant room for folks to be 6+ feet apart, not to mention that c) most of the bay area has been vaccinated, and d) vaccinated folks are allowed to walk outside without masks. Boooooo to any business illegally cutting down trees older than it is. If you go and they ask you to sign a petition to get them off the hook, don't sign it. Welcs. read more

My friend and I showed up early to a meet up so decided to venture into the cemetery to pass the time - so happy we did! It is odd to say that a cemetery is pretty or beautiful but this one is definitely both. This is NOT your typical American cemetery and I am very happy that it is not! As a few have mentioned there are parts of the cemetery that need TLC, however it is a very large piece of land with tons of greenery so I do understand why it might take time to be able to take care of everything especially with the rain we have been getting. There are so many different types of tombs and graves that just jump out with so much unknown history. No matter what direction you go in you are bound to found history and just a beautiful view. Yes it is odd to take a walk in a cemetery but I will do it again! read more

Gorgeous, peaceful, serene place to walk the dog, run, contemplate life. I am training for a race and this cemetery is just down the street from my place and it offers a lush getaway. I completed about 5 miles today and noticed a crowd of people at a burial, several walkers, some runners (including me), a couple walking their dog, some staff and it all just added to the ironic liveliness of the cemetery. There are so many lush green winding paths, hills and you can get lost (in a good way) while paying respects to the dead or getting some cardio in. The tombs, gravestones, etc. add to the beauty of this place. Highly recommend it! read more

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Today (April 5) is Ching Ming according to the Chinese lunar calendar. However, my family and I visited our mom in the early afternoon on Easter Sunday. This was actually my second check in of Mountain View Cemetery for mom who had her funeral service and burial on February 2, 2018. I also have other relatives (maternal grandparents, uncle, cousins) buried here at this cemetery. Mountain View Cemetery is so peaceful and serene. The view from where my mom is buried on the hill is beautiful and breathtaking. Ahhh...we can see the flatlands of Oakland, the Bay and San Francisco. I found out from my family that mom picked this plot because of the view. There are no headstones allowed in this area of the cemetery, compared to the lower parts of the cemetery. There is one thing I keep missing at Mountain View. It is the annual tulip exhibition which is held at the beginning of March. I have yet to see all those lovely tulips in a variety of colors. (No, I will not be like Tiny Tim singing "tiptoe through the tulips" while strumming an ukulele.) Drawback: The roads have too many potholes, so be careful when driving up and down their hill to visit loved ones. read more

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Maybe this is my "back in the old days" vibe, but while checking the hours, I noticed online that general public visitors are only allowed on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Confused, I called the office, and asked for clarification, stating "pre-Covid, the general public was allowed daily. Has that changed?" The response I got from a receptionist was "Online it says Wednesdays and Saturdays." Well, yes. It does, when you dig around the site. But Yelp says something else, and I'm just trying to get clarification so I can make a plan. So I press a little and ask, "Does that mean I cannot visit today?" and the response was again "Online, it says Wednesdays and Saturdays." I tooooootallllly understand being frustrated by what I'm sure is many people calling/complaining about this, but I think a very clear, upfront message on the website and other info-sites (yelp, Google, etc) could go a long way in 1) easing visitor calls and 2) helping visitors know what to expect. I'm definitely disappointed that the customer service was non-existent, and that this change really takes away from the community. read more

Excellent layout of paths, monuments, landscaping features. Great views, too. Just don't go near closing time - you WILL get locked in. read more

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Beautiful cemetery. I've been visiting this cemetery since I was a child. I enjoy walking around and seeing all the different kinds of headstones. I love the atmosphere it's very peaceful and inviting. When I'm in town I visit all my relatives who are buried at this cemetery. I always have a small picnic and enjoy the views from the hill. Definitely beautiful. read more

A very beautiful place located at the end of Piedmont Avenue. Many well known people are buried here. Such as the founder of Kaiser. Also the founder of Oakland and Alameda County. It is where my grandma was buried about 12 years ago. My parents and other family members come twice a year. Sometime more. The only gripe that I have are people talking on their cell phones while walking and/or jogging. Could you please take the conversation somewhere else. Like Piedmont Avenue or Rockridge. Just any other places. I am not kidding! I see it every time. I literally cringe. Please show some respect for those who are six feet below! read more

We come here once in a while to visit my in laws. Unlike other cemeteries, this place is huge and gated. There's a lot of big structure that will catch your eye. I see many joggers here and many interesting & unique tombstone. Very peaceful if you ask me and very well maintained. read more

Mountain View Cemetery - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Oakland, California

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How would it read, your epitaph? Is it your preference to be remembered as useful, funny, and cool? Perhaps your stone could be fashioned with a decorative scroll draped over the pedestal (Good Writer). Or that little devil from the comic books. If it was a planting you desired, this would be fine ground to lie beneath. You'd be in excellent company, after all. Both halves of the Black Dahlia (Elizabeth Short) rest here. Luminaries too numerous to mention, segregated areas if you require the eternal party to be only with your own kind. Like the fresh air? Go above-ground in the mausoleum by the pool. I'm not getting planted, I'm going to be shot into the sun. But if I was going to return to the earth I'd consider Mountain View. For now, however, I enjoy it in the other more ambulatory way. Did you know that this is a Frederick Law Olmsted design? Same great man that brought you Central Park and the layout for the Chicago World's Fair. Mmm hmm. I like it best at night, though by daylight it has its qualities as well. The views are to die for. Get yourself a milkshake at Fentons and walk up the Avenue one of these pretty spring days. The magnolia are about to pop and the cherry blossoms are still in all their glory. Like those behind the gates, these beauties will fade in short time. So enjoy them, loveys, while you can. read more

This is with out a doubt one of my favorite spots in Oakland. When I lived near by, I would bring my lunch and eat it on Millionaire Hill. There is the tulip festival in spring, Christmas decorations in December and of course there are graves, many with heartrending inscriptions. One warm summer evening a dance troupe performed from the entry to Millionaire Hill down to the bottom of the hill. The Civil War section is flanked with cannons. There are magnificent monuments and plain graves. The famous and the infamous, some people remember, and even more forgotten, all lying together in this paradise for the living. There are joggers, walkers, bicyclist, people pushing baby carriages, and lovers sitting together and yet it seldom seems crowed. There is always some thing new to discover at Mt View Cemetery. On my most recent visit I went to photograph fall color and when I was done, I went to the top of the hill where I sat and enjoyed the view and listen to this song that by the last note will make cemetery angels weep. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL8Qe6ns_r8 read more

For six years, I lived three blocks away from here and never visited - partly owing to schedule. I have no excuse the last two years as a full-time telecommuter - and have now been to Mountain View Cemetery 5 times in the last week. It's huge - it's so well laid out that you can get lost and still know roughly where you are. There are so many areas to explore - many beautiful statues and carvings to appreciate. There are, of course, odd characters to note: - odd dog people like the clicker-training lady who was by the front gate yelling "you can't come near me!" - well, don't stand near the gate, better yet, stay in your back yard! ... or the woman with two pit bulls wearing panniers who looked like they wanted to eat me and have my neighbor's dog for dessert and was advised to walk the other way as she was apologizing (can't they be trained to NOT be aggressive?) - partying teenagers leaving glass bottles - speeding cars (seriously - 15 mph is very slow and all you need) The park was designed by Frederick Olmsted, who designed Central Park in NY - he wanted to create symbiotic feel in the park, er, cemetery - it's very park like with a boulevard with fountains, gorgeous crypts (including a pyramid) and plenty of trees and ponds. If you haven't been - definitely do go! You can walk all the way through to the back and up the hill for excellent sunset views - just as good as any from Grizzly Peak! read more

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Beautiful cemetery and I think it's even better than the ones in Colma. Especially if you're a fan of the tombstone statues (of which I am one). It houses the tombs of the "who's who" of the Bay Area pioneers. They even have a "Millionaire's Row" of mausoleums. And it also is the resting place of 'Black Dahlia' Elizabeth Smart (her grave is only marked by a plaque). Unfortunately currently it's still closed to the general public since March 24 2020 due to COVID. read more

A beautiful place to revere the passed, and to get some incline, and a sparkling view of the Bay!!! Oft I come to buy and whittle away time in between meeting friends down below, on busy Piedmont. Have hiked up to the very top ridge a few times, affording one over 200 degrees of vista. One of the classiest and well-maintained cemeteries. The restrooms are to the right, once coming into the main gate, around the circle---in the building of the mausoleum. Just stunning read more

We would like to thank mountain view memorial in Calgary and especially Cheri for her understanding & consideration of the person's feelings during a very difficult family situation regarding the funeral. The service & refreshments were exceptional. Thank you Ken & Helen read more