At Cypress Lawn, we pride ourselves on providing our San Francisco neighbors with high-quality funeral, cremation, and burial services.

For over a century, we’ve been a testament to trustworthy and supportive care for families facing some of life’s most difficult moments. What makes our services stand out is our people, both those who currently work at our funeral home and the extraordinary individuals who left a legacy of incredible service behind them.

Keep reading to learn more about the notable figures of Cypress Lawn.

Our Founder, Hamden Holmes Noble

A passionate problem solver and innovator at his core, Hamden Holmes Noble rode by Laurel Hill Cemetery in a carriage one day and was appalled to see it was in such a state of disrepair. He drew up a plan to build a sacred space not far from the original site. In 1892, he led a group of like-minded men to build a cemetery 12 miles south of San Francisco.

Inspired by the rural parks he’d admired traveling up and down the East Coast, Noble built a peaceful garden containing hand-picked local plants and flowers.

To this day, visitors to Cypress Lawn and our picturesque facilities can witness the beautiful impact of Noble’s incredible leadership and vision.

Our Board of Directors

Part of what made Noble’s efforts so impressive and successful was his original Board of Directors. This group of forward-thinking and influential men comprised a number of notable names who left their mark on many industries, such as oil, politics, and manufacturing.

Most famous for co-founding the company that would eventually become Chevron, Charles Felton also served in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. Irving Scott designed mining machinery, built battleships, and served as a trustee for Stanford University. Businessman George W. McNear was a leader in the import/export business and helped boost international trade to San Francisco.

Each of these men had a significant impact on Cypress Lawn becoming the leading funeral home it is today.

Get in Touch to Learn More

Care to learn more about the history of Cypress Lawn and what makes us a fixture in our Bay Area community? Our beautiful Memorial Park and eye-catching architecture are well worth a visit, whether or not you are in immediate need of our services.

Contact our team today to schedule a tour of our Memorial Park or a meeting with one of our experienced staff members.