Today--burial or cremation within San Francisco is prohibited. The are no cemeteries in the City or County, with the exceptions of the small historic Mission Dolores and Presidio sites.
By the late 1800's developers sought the valuable burial lands. The problem of oversold plots was an emerging problem. And the residents were disgusted with the neglected burial eyesores viewed from their homes.
From San Francisco NEWS, Tuesday, June 20, 1939: "ghouls held vandalish orgies"
"On moonless, foggy nights, shadowy forms have slunk into vaults. Clanking sounds, the muffled crash of a sledge hammer have echoed forth as vandals looted the vaults of flower urns, of silver coffin handles...."
The Society of California Pioneers, backed by the Catholic Diocese, vehemently opposed the removal of sanctified dead.
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