About the Italian Cemetery
The Italian Cemetery in Colma, California, has been a cornerstone of the community since 1899. Established by La Società Italiana di Mutua Beneficenza—the oldest continuously operating Italian-American organization in the U.S.—our cemetery began as a sanctuary for Italian immigrants seeking dignified burial options.
Today, we honor that legacy by offering serene and respectful services to individuals and families of all backgrounds. Our 35-acre grounds feature a blend of traditional and modern memorials, including nine indoor and outdoor mausoleums, a historic chapel, and beautifully landscaped pathways.
We are more than a cemetery; we are a place of reflection, heritage, and community. Whether you’re seeking genealogy services, planning a memorial, or participating in one of our annual events, we invite you to experience the peace and history that define The Italian Cemetery.
Steve Chiappari
General Manager & Responsible Managing Officer
Steve joins the Italian Cemetery with 20 years of experience in the funeral service industry. He is a Bay Area native, raised in Colma and now raising his family in South San Francisco. In his spare time Steve enjoys watching sports, especially the Giants, Warriors & 49ers. He also enjoys spending time with wife and two very active children.
When someone you love becomes a memory… that memory becomes a treasure.
~ Author Unknown
Joanna Vincenzi
Assistant
Manager
Joanna began working as a part-time receptionist at the Italian Cemetery in 2010. She was soon promoted to Office Manager, and eventually Assistant Manager.
Joanna was born and raised in San Francisco and takes great pride in her Italian (Sicilian) heritage. She is fluent in both Italian and the Sicilian dialect.
Joanna enjoys spending time with her husband, three daughters and a large extended family.
Troy Milan
Director of Community Relations
Troy is a true Bay Area native, born in San Francisco, raised on the Peninsula, and educated in social work at San Francisco State University. He has traveled to many parts of the world, gaining a greater appreciation and respect for the circle of life. His genuine interest in helping others led Troy to the Italian Cemetery, where he enjoys having the opportunity to assist families during difficult times.
When not in the office, Troy enjoys outdoor activities, keeping up with local sports teams, and spending time with his family and friends.
Celebrating Life Since 1899
The Italian Cemetery is the offspring of La Società Italiana di Mutua Beneficenza, the oldest continuously existing Italian-American organization in the United States.
Founded in 1858, the function of the Società was to provide medical care and death benefits to a membership largely made up of Italian immigrants who came to San Francisco during the Gold Rush era.
Although burial services had always been a part of the equation, it was not until 1899 that the Società was able to establish a cemetery of its own. Most of these immigrants lived in San Francisco, but when the city enacted a policy of relocating burial grounds outside its limits, the new Italian Cemetery was set up, along with many others, in the little town of Colma. Although the funds to establish the cemetery came from the Società, and its first concern was to provide a service to its members, the cemetery has always welcomed people of all faiths and nationalities. Many are drawn by their feeling of kinship with the Italian Cemetery’s old-world ambience. Also, as Italians inter-married, they brought in spouses and relatives from other cultures.
The first building on the property, completed in 1904, was the Porporato Mausoleum, designed by San Francisco architect John A. Porporato. Its purpose was to provide a chapel for committal services. It was the first indoor mausoleum in Colma and one of the very first in the entire country. The crypts are faced in beautiful Carrara marble and the mausoleum is graced with colorful stained glass with floral design.
Made up largely of Italian immigrants, the historical North Beach district of San Francisco served as the headquarters of the Società until 1962, when the Società relocated to the grounds of the cemetery in Colma. In 1978, the Italian Cemetery was reorganized under the laws of the State of California as an independent non-profit, public-benefit corporation.
In the meantime, the development of new mausoleums and new areas for ground burials has continued. The Cemetery now offers entombments in nine indoor and outdoor mausoleums locations. Construction of additional mausoleums is currently being planned.
Recently, the town of Colma has renovated the old F Street roadbed, creating an old-fashioned red-brick thoroughfare, complete with elegant turn-of-century street lamps.
Through the years, the Italian Cemetery has developed into an integral part of the vibrant and ethnically-diverse Bay Area community.
What Makes Us Different
Our commitment is to serve every family with dignity and respect. Our beautifully maintained grounds and handicap-accessible buildings make it easier for all visitors to gather, remember, and honor their loved ones in comfort.
Serving All Faiths
Non-Profit Organization
Financing Available
Committed to Our Community
Over 120 Years of service
Jacqueline R.
