History of All Souls Cemetery

The large vacant land across from Sunnyside Mausoleum remained available for many years. In 1934, sixty acres were approved by the County of Los Angeles Regional Planning Board for a cemetery and an additional 30 acres was recommended to be added later.

In 1945, developers proposed a Rose Hills Memorial Park Cemetery, which infuriated local homeowners from Lakewood Village and Los Cerritos and they formed the Bixby Highlands Property Owners Association to protest.  Three years later, as a way of placating residents, the county board of supervisors negotiated with developers a contribution of 190 acres south of Sunnyside Mausoleum on the west side of Cherry Avenue for a city park.

In 1950, a Catholic All Souls Cemetery was established on 78 acres.


Until 1963, cremation was forbidden by the Catholic Church. The Second Vatican Council of 1970 brought many changes, including utilizing white instead of black vestments and casket palls.

Today, All Souls Cemetery includes a mortuary, chapel, crematorium and lawn crypts. Several columbaria hold the bone fragments of the deceased.

During most major holidays, the gravesites at All Souls are decorated by families. At Christmas, trees and decorations adorn many graves. Family members erect sun shades, bring music and food and make a day of visiting. The cemetery posts regulations regarding when decorations need to be removed.

Gerald Desmond, former City attorney and councilman and namesake for Gerald Desmond Bridge is buried here, as well as Frank Zamboni, the inventor of the ice resurfacing machine that revolutionized ice skating rinks in 1948.