Great Mausoleum of Oak Hill

“Beautiful Area, lots of loved ones buried there.”

— Virginia N. Guttenbeil (God’s Daughter)

“I discovered the Great Mausoleum while driving around the south bay aimlessly after getting Covid tests at San Jose County Fairgrounds back when that was happening. I saw this glorious building shining on top of a hill and had to go see what it was. I'm glad I did. It is a very peaceful and spiritual place. The presence of so many peacefully resting deceased has a powerful effect. It is very quiet and meditative. (Warning: if you do not want to be quiet and meditative and aware of and holding respect for the dead, then this is not a good place for you.) Do not go here to make noise. Go here to contemplate silently and give gratitude for this one life you have been given, as you walk slowly through the maze of halls and galleries and look at the dates and the names and remember how much life there is, and how it is always changing, always being born and dying in an eternal cycle. Remember that one day you too will have numbers etched on the history of your brief time in this world. I have been visiting the Great Mausoleum occasionally since that discovery during Covid, but a recent experience gave me the spark of motivation to write this review. I went there with a book and a quiet heart. I walked through the halls, then sat by a large marble statue and read for a while. I went into the small upstairs gallery and sat in silent meditation for a long time. Then I read quietly for a while again. Then, I went to leave, and found that I had been locked in! Fortunately there was still someone answering the phone in the office, and they sent security to let me out, but I briefly got to imagine "Night at the Mausoleum" as a darker reboot of the "Night at the Museum" movies. After I was liberated, I sat outside and looked at the skyline off in the distance, and gradually noticed that in fact the front lawn of the Mausoleum has a direct line of sight along the entire length of the Bay to downtown SF. I could clearly see the Salesforce tower. I'll try to attach a photo here, but it is very small and very far off in the distance. I think it is about 50 miles in the straight line of sight. It was kind of breathtaking in a quiet way to have a clear view over such a distance.”

— David Perlman

“The Great Mausoleum is kept locked since Jan 2025, as a result of the homeless. Once at the entrance to the Great Mausoleum, there is a number you can call to have security come and open it for you. They will wait outside while you visit.”

— Cary Hogan