Death is messy. It’s expensive, confusing, and happens when you’re least prepared to think about logistics. If you’re looking into Holy Cross Mortuary and Cemetery, you’re likely standing at the intersection of grief and a massive to-do list. Maybe you’re in Culver City, staring at that iconic hillside, or perhaps you’re looking at the San Diego or Colma locations. It doesn’t really matter which one—the weight of the decision is the same.
Most people think a cemetery is just a plot of land. It’s not. Especially not here.
Holy Cross is an extension of the Catholic Church. That’s the first thing you have to wrap your head around. It isn’t a corporate "death care" chain owned by a massive conglomerate in a glass office building in Houston. Because it’s operated by the local Archdiocese—like the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for the Culver City site—the rules are different. The vibe is different. The pricing is even a little different.
Why the Catholic Identity Actually Matters for Your Wallet
You don't have to be Catholic to be buried at Holy Cross Mortuary and Cemetery, but honestly, it helps if you understand the theology behind it. Why? Because the Church views the "corporal works of mercy" as a mandate. This translates to how they handle the business side of things.
A lot of secular cemeteries are driven by quarterly profits. Holy Cross is a nonprofit entity. Now, don't get it twisted—"nonprofit" doesn't mean "free." It’s still pricey. Real estate in California, even for the dead, is at a premium. But the money stays within the cemetery’s maintenance fund and the Church’s charitable works.
One thing that catches people off guard is the "Pre-Need" vs. "At-Need" distinction.
If you show up at the gates because someone died this morning, you’re "At-Need." You have zero leverage. You’re paying top dollar, and you’re making choices while your brain is foggy from trauma. If you buy a plot ten years before you need it ("Pre-Need"), you’re basically locking in today's real estate prices. It sounds cold to talk about death as a real estate investment, but in Los Angeles or the Bay Area, that’s exactly what it is.
The Culver City Landmark and the Celebrity Factor
When people talk about Holy Cross Mortuary and Cemetery, they usually mean the one on Slauson Avenue in Culver City. It’s a massive, 200-acre sprawl of rolling green hills that looks more like a park than a graveyard.
It opened in 1939. Since then, it’s become the final resting place for Hollywood royalty.
👉 See also: Why the Man Black Hair Blue Eyes Combo is So Rare (and the Genetics Behind It)
You’ve got Bing Crosby, Rita Hayworth, and Bela Lugosi—who was actually buried in his Dracula cape. It’s a strange mix of the sacred and the cinematic. You’ll see fans looking for Sharon Tate’s grave while, fifty yards away, a family is holding a quiet, tearful rosary service.
The Grotto is the heart of the place. It’s a replica of the Lourdes Grotto in France. If you’re looking for a spot there, prepare for a shock. It’s arguably some of the most sought-after "property" in the city.
But here’s a tip: The newer sections, like the ones further up the hill, often have better views and more modern amenities for a fraction of the cost of the historic areas.
Cremation: The Big Catholic Misconception
I hear this all the time. "I can’t go to Holy Cross because I want to be cremated."
That was true decades ago. It isn't now.
The Catholic Church changed its stance in 1963, though they still have very specific rules. You can’t keep the ashes on your mantle. You definitely can’t turn them into a diamond or scatter them at sea if you want a Catholic burial. The Church insists on the "integrity of the remains."
At Holy Cross Mortuary and Cemetery, they have massive columbariums—basically walls of niches for urns. They even have "glass-front niches" where you can see the urn and maybe a small photo. It’s a middle ground for families who want the efficiency of cremation but the tradition of a sacred space.
The "Hidden" Costs of a Burial
Nobody tells you about the vault.
✨ Don't miss: Chuck E. Cheese in Boca Raton: Why This Location Still Wins Over Parents
You buy the plot. You buy the casket. You think you’re done. Then the counselor mentions the "outer burial container" or the vault. Most modern cemeteries, including Holy Cross, require these. Why? Because without them, the heavy lawn-mowing equipment would eventually cause the ground to sink as the casket settles.
Then there’s the "Opening and Closing" fee. This is the labor cost of actually digging the hole and filling it back in. It’s often thousands of dollars.
- The Plot: The land itself.
- The Endowment Care: A one-time fee that ensures the grass stays green forever.
- The Marker: The headstone. At Holy Cross, many sections require "flat markers" to keep the landscape looking like a park.
- The Mortuary Services: Embalming, the viewing, and the hearse.
The mortuary and the cemetery are on the same grounds. This is a huge logistical win. You don’t have to deal with a slow-moving funeral procession through L.A. traffic. You have the service in the chapel, and then you just drive or walk a few hundred yards to the gravesite.
Navigating the Bureaucracy of Grief
Honestly, dealing with the paperwork is the worst part.
When you walk into the office at Holy Cross, you’re going to be handed a "General Price List" (GPL). Federal law requires them to give this to you. Look at it. Don’t just nod and sign.
There are "non-declinable" fees, which are basically the base cost for the funeral director’s time. But everything else is a choice. You don't have to get the most expensive casket. A "minimum container" is perfectly legal for cremation.
The staff here are generally empathetic, but they are also sales counselors. It’s a weird tension. They want to help you honor your mother, but they also have a bottom line. Bringing a friend who isn't emotionally invested in the loss can save you $5,000 just by having them ask, "Do we really need the silk lining?"
Maintenance and the "Perpetual Care" Myth
People worry about cemeteries falling into disrepair.
🔗 Read more: The Betta Fish in Vase with Plant Setup: Why Your Fish Is Probably Miserable
Holy Cross is protected by an Endowment Care fund. A portion of every dollar you spend goes into a trust. This trust is legally mandated to be used only for the upkeep of the grounds. Even if the Archdiocese went bankrupt—which has happened to other dioceses—the cemetery trust is typically a separate legal entity.
Your great-great-grandchildren will likely see the same green hills you see today.
What to do Right Now
If you are currently responsible for arrangements, or if you’re just trying to save your kids from a massive headache later, stop scrolling and take these specific steps.
First, call and request a "Planning Guide." Most of these Catholic cemeteries give them out for free. It’s a booklet where you can write down your vitals, your preferred hymns, and whether you want a military honors ceremony.
Second, if you're looking at the Culver City location, go there on a Tuesday morning. It’s quiet. Walk the grounds. See if the atmosphere feels right. Some people find the celebrity "tourism" distracting; others find the history comforting.
Third, check for "Pre-Need" discounts. They often offer 0% financing over several years if you buy before a death occurs. It turns a $15,000 bill into a $200 monthly payment.
Lastly, verify the deed. If you think your family already owns a plot at Holy Cross Mortuary and Cemetery, find the paperwork. "Lost" plots are a nightmare to track down in old paper archives, and you’ll need the original burial rights certificate to prove you have the right to use it. If you can't find it, call their records department immediately with the full legal name and date of death of the original purchaser.
Planning this stuff isn't morbid. It’s a gift to the people you’re leaving behind.