I love this cemetery I find it peaceful Extremely Beautiful and animal friendly. I definitely would love to end my life here and be part of this amazing cemetery. read more

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Everyone can see Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos from driving on Interstate Highway 280. It is a serene and beautiful park. I treat this place as a place to unwind and relieve my stress of commuting on the craziest Bay Area thoroughfares 85/280/680/880/101/17. Few decades ago, we laid our dad in the ground. At that time, it was a new area. Everyone in the family had a job to do. My older siblings were dealing with finding a plot with good Feng Shui, negotiating and purchasing a family plot. Since I'm the youngest, I got to design the headstone. I remember it was a lengthy process. It took almost a year to get it installed. We have a most unique looking with Chinese motif on a specialty stone that would last for our children's lifetime. The grass was specifically maintained. I don't know where they find water during the California droughts. But they have a huge solar-panel farm behind the office. Anyway. The place is very clean and inviting. One time I had trouble finding my uncle's family plots. Silly me, I went up and down the aisles (accumulated 3 miles on my fitness app). Then, a godsend lady told me to find the plot number at the office. Ah. Thank God! I had a good exercise that day, anyway. So, I read all 16 reviews before I can sum up mine. Most of the lower rated reviews had issues with customer service. I was too young to deal with anyone in the office. Now, I'm a visitor. I still don't need to deal with a live person. P.S. Visiting hours change during winter. It closes an hour earlier at 5. Summer time closes at 6. No one should be at the cemetery after dark. read more

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I am happy to give a 4-star review. I would have given a 1-star review for rudeness and high-pressure sales tactics, but I contacted the manager/director about my appointment and he was very responsive and apologetic for the bad experience. He had another person contact me and she was lovely. As Catholics, we didn't have many options and this truly is a beautiful cemetery, so I was so happy that it didn't end on a bad note. Ask for Agnes! She was wonderful. This was my first time making arrangements, so this is what I learned and I hope it helps someone else: -They have niches and in-ground options for cremated remains. -They can email you a detailed price list before you visit. See the map posted with the photos. -They will give you a tour and show you which specific spots are available. -They have many available spaces. If a salesperson tells you that all spaces are full but if you sign a contract and make a deposit, they will "kick out" the person who has it reserved, get someone else to help you! *shudder* -The deposit is 10%. For cremation, it's going to be $7k and up. -If you are looking for in-ground spaces, consider your shoe choices. My canvas shoes were waterlogged from the grass. Minor point, but annoying since I had to go to the hospital afterwards with squishy shoes. read more

As John's coffin was being lowered, the gray clouds had parted ways allowing the sun to break through casting its heat and light upon us. We all looked at the sun. We were confused and looked at each other. Our sorrows and tears paused. It went from cold and gloomy to warm and spiritual. This was a great omen and a clear sign that John was leaving for Heaven. A song came into mind and I started to chant to myself as I thought about our departed brother John "Peaches" Hwang . . . Bone Thugs N Harmony - Crossroads http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMYAEHE2GrM read more

Calvary Catholic Cemetery - RIP... John "Peaches" Hwang - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Los Altos, California

I have been Visiting my grandfather here for the last 18 years!! He is in the veterans area near the front entrance. They always provide flags on the veterans graves for Veterans and Memorial Day!! This cemetery is the most beautiful cemetery you will find around here. The scenery is astounding and peaceful. It is extremely well maintained. The grass is mowed weekly and you can count on it!They remove flowers weekly, therefore you never see dead flowers nor is it ever messy. Just check the signs to see when the mowing and flower removal days. They have exceptions during certain holidays. I always leave a little christmas tree during christmas time. If your flowers are new and in good condition during removal/mow day, sometimes they leave them. As I noticed when I came twice in one week, my flowers were still there after mow/removal day. (They were still alive and appealing is why I think they left them). I come here pretty often and grounds keeper may observe that too. I'm sure it probably costs a lot to be buried here, (I have no idea) although I must say, it's definitely worth every penny my family paid. It brings me joy to visit my grandfather in such a beautiful cemetery. Pick up flowers at trader joes down the street for 3.99-9.99, I don't see the flower vendor anymore. Again, this cemetery is absolutely beautiful and worth every penny. read more

Calvary Catholic Cemetery - My grandpa is under the willow tree! March time!! - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Los Altos, California

Beautiful cemetery! We have a couple of relatives there and it's always peaceful. Grounds are well maintained and local wildlife are a treat to see. We love to hike around and look at the various statues while visiting family. read more

This review comes after months of trying to get a hold of this place. Both of my grandparents are buried here, and the grounds truly are beautiful and peaceful. Almost everyone in my family has tried to call the director here to try and get the headstone painted. Essentially, they direct us to the groundskeeper who has never returned a single call. My dad has driven by multiple times to see if they have taken care of the issue with no resolution. This review is exclusively about the lack of customer care and service. read more

Beautiful place for sure I can't doubt that. It's right at the door to Rancho San Antonio. However sometimes it just take one bad experience to make it negative. The lady by the name of Ariane (sp?) is rude and not very helpful. She's not even patient with my mom, make assumptions. Initially she assume the body would be in a separate plot until we had to correct her for her to realize it is on the same plot. Perhaps they are kind when they are selling a plot but when you are reclaiming the plot for burial, I can't help but to wonder why their customer service is so different. I hate making negative posts however I do have consumer responsibility and need to share this on yelp. read more

I can't understand why are there complaints about the Park. Both my parents are buried here and the followup services were impeccable. We could not had asked for more. read more

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My mom and I went there today to sign contract for burial plot for Calvary cemetery but when we saw how beautiful & peaceful the Gate of heaven cemetery was , we changed to there! They even have wonderful honored space for our military veterans! I was apprehensive to do this at first but after seeing the grounds here, the kind ppl that worked there. I know it really feels like the gate to heaven. read more

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The Gate of Heaven Cemetery is located in Los Altos, California, at the foot of the Los Altos Hills. Owned and operated by the Catholic Diocese of San Jose, this cemetery is nestled in a tranquil setting of lush manicured lawns, colorful flowers and shrubbery, majestic trees, and a glistening pond with a waterfall -- that can be viewed well from a natural stone footbridge. read more

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I would first like to say that the Calvary Cemetery is great, the office staff was wonderful when my mom passed away 4 years ago. We were saddened when the office was closed and was changed to appointments only. We were able to make payments, check in with office staff regarding concerns, or to get some comfort during difficult times. We felt like family. Now! The reason for the 1 star which I wouldn't give them 1 star at all if I could; Gates of Heaven staff! Since payments are no longer accepted at the Calvary Cemetery we now how to deal with Gates of Heaven for any payments, concerns, etc. So far the staff I've had to deal with (specifically the billing staff and controller: April Ouellette) are rude, unprofessional, lack customer service, and honestly make you feel like you do not matter. If your thinking of making your loved ones final resting place at the catholic cemeteries (especially Gates of Heaven), it hurts to say, but re-think your choice. read more

World's most beautiful cemetery. My husband already Rest in Peace in this place. When my time on earth were through, I will join him to rest at this beautiful place......Very peaceful, most beautiful scenery and landscaping! read more

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place is beautiful. Great views,open space. Nice place to visit the ones who have past away.

This is a beautiful place. However, after 2 deaths in family and having working with various people at this facility over last few years, I can absolutely tell you that these sales people are nice when they want your $$$. After your loved ones are buried, making appointments for marker design is extremely difficult. They are not available in short notice, appointment booking lady is rude over the phone, and schedules are not as open, and no Saturday marker designs. They are only nice when they want your $$$. After all this is a sales place, don't ever think that they have your back for one minute. read more

Beautiful, serene place! We buried our dad here in 2009. Years following, our family had decided to purchase plots for all family members interested, because of its beauty & the wonderful service we received from the staff. It's been a number of years since then. We continue to enjoy our visits to Gates of Heaven. Most importantly, we have found their service continues to be exceptional. We brought a concern to their manager, Elizabeth. She took the time to truly listen to our concern & took immediate action to remedy the situation. We felt more at ease, after speaking with her. Elizabeth & her staff went above & well beyond my expectations. It is a rare to find a place that continues to promote & provide such wonderful customer service: treats their clients with heart, rather than just business, a willingness to listen, responsiveness & truly want to satisfy their clients' needs. read more

Change your damn yelp hours if you're gonna change visiting hours on the weekends. FYI people who would like to visit their loved ones on the weekends, they now close at 5pm. read more

The Los Altos place no doubt is beautiful. Unfortunately, customer service is pretty bad. They never return call. Also I asked for receipt details of what I paid for and the supervisor - Donna - said I have to go there to get this receipt copy - because they are not sure if I am the right person they will send to and they want to verify my face !!!! . I echo the same sentiment as others -- when they sell to you - they are very nice. Thereafter - it is "dead" service. Luckily I know someone Elizabeth Guerra who was patient to help me until my issue is closed. She was polite and very helpful throughout. Good luck if you want to escalate to the manager. She is often busy in doing sales I suppose so don't expect return call from her also. read more

Very beautiful place, but our family had very bad experiences there. Because of my grandmother was buried there. My mother and I go there every week to decorate with many flowers right after the gardeners clean up, and also we take the flowers(potted flower) back before clean up too. Since last mother's day, our potted flowers are being stolen many times by someone. How peaceful the place is, but we experiened unhappy experiences. Because of the Valentine's day and Present's day(2/15/2010), the gardener will clean up on 2/4/2010 and 2/18/2010. My mother went there on 2/7/2010, brought 3 potted flowers, when she went there today, 2/14/2010. One of potted flower has been stolen by someone, and left other two flowers. And this is not the first time, we cannot endure it anymore. read more

I've been to a lot of cemeteries, but I frequent this one a lot. We laid my mom to rest here 10 years ago. At the time I was 12 and it was a rather hectic time. However, when my younger brother an I got to work with the staff for creating her headstone, they were friendly and gave us lots of time to select the script and artwork were wanted. Since this time, I've known many other close friends and family who have buried their loved ones here as well. The cemetery has grown larger and added more sections over the past 10 years. The view is beautiful and peace. You honestly wouldn't think it was a cemetery. It is tucked away in the Los Altos hills right before the very popular hiking trails. My dad goes hiking and then visits my mom afterwards. A friend of mine was able to use the chapel for her grandmother's funeral, and she said the service was lovely. The setting is surrounded by trees, new and older. And the maintenance is very good. We do our own cleaning of my mom's headstone. I suggest for those of you who frequently visit, get a mini grass cutter to trim the edges. I One thing I don't like though is that they don't have the black cups to hold flowers anymore. They used to have them, but I'm not sure why they don't anymore. Until next time, I do suggest checking out this space. It's very peaceful! read more

As cemeteries go, Gate of Heaven is a true country club. I have been there for a picnic before, the location and the grounds are truly beautiful. I now go for more personal reasons and I'm so happy to experience this location. The purchase process was extremely considerate and empathetic. We worked with Tim Fullerton who was great and real. It was a pleasure to work with him during our struggle. Most important piece the place is just so beautiful, I look forward for spring to have my visit and feel the piece and beauty that my mom loved at Gate of Heaven. read more

Beautiful cemetery that borders Rancho San Antonio Preserve. My family has several friends and family members buried here over the years. Including the pet cemetery that is now gone. A lovely pond and water feature, beautiful statues, lovely mausoleums. Serene and yet so inviting. I love to come and bring a blanket and sit out and visit my relatives. We bring a picnic sometimes. The one thing that really really bothers me is the way they take things away. I understand not wanting the cemetery to be cluttered, but sometimes they mow right over everything, so you come sometime later and see flowers just chopped off. But I know the place is so large there is no way everything can be manually done without having a very large staff. If you are unsure of a burial site, you can go to the reception desk and they will help you. The place is large so having a map can be very helpful. You are able to drive around and park right up to the section you are visiting. I always see families and children. For a place of such sorrow, there is so much life and love there. read more

I had a terrible experience here. My mother passed away in May 2016 and we interred her in October of that same year. Fast forward a few months and I was shocked to find her headstone was not etched. I called at least 5-6 times, sent several emails and no one would return my phone calls. I finally drove there and told my story to someone. Again several months later the same thing happened, more phone calls and emails not returned. I would have asked for the manager but it was the manager, Elizabeth, that was not returning my phone calls. They finally etched her headstone 8 months after she was interred. Keep reading the reviews. I'm not the only one this has happened to. So sad to have to bury a loved one and be treated this way. Horrible experience! read more

This place appeared like a big golf course from outside. Our family visited here several times before the death of my mother in law Roselin Joseph , when she was in Hospice Care, with respect to making arrangements for her burial and funneral arrangements. The staff treated my wife and her brothers nicely, where I noticed that even though they were stressed before going there , but came out very relaxed after meeting the staff there. Because they got all the answers they need. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWvRu8rDe_4 read more

About 3 weeks ago, I had the unfortunate appointment with the so-called family counselor at this place named Oriana Sabatino. She was the most rude, unprofessional, disrespectful person I've ever encountered at this place! She insulted my intelligence by telling me that the plot we buried my dad in 11 years ago (at this cemetery) was a single plot, while it was explained to me at the time that it was a single plot, but "double-decker" style. She started raising her voice at me, arguing with me, and telling me that there's no way we can bury my mom's body in the same plot ?! Said that we can only bury her ashes if we wanted her to be there. Which is fine with me, except that her heavy accent (which is hard to understand), her rudeness, and her bullying way to talk to me, they really got me ticked off. I cut off the meeting and went home fuming! I'm gonna report her to management when this is over. And sounded like she's been bullying other clients as well, based on the reviews here. read more

My sister has been buried here for three years. I have been trying unsuccessfully to have her headstone installed. I only get the run around and no return phone calls. I have tried to reach Elizabeth, the manager, but just leave long lengthy messages with a front desk receptionist where I have to leave the same information over and over. The graphic artist was supposed to be in touch with me but this has never happened. Evidently, once you purchase the plot, it is very difficult to get service after that. read more

Gate of Heaven recently handled my mother's internment and we appreciated both their sensitivity and professionalism. Mary Tillman was our counselor and she was very helpful in explaining everything we needed to know, helping with an unexpected priest shortage, and providing excellent follow-up. The follow-up was especially appreciated at a time when it's easy to lose track of all the things that are happening and need to be done. Through her diligence in researching a very old contract, we were also able to save on the anticipated expense. The grounds staff were also helpful and patient with us. The grounds themselves, are just beautiful and always seem very well maintained. read more

Now that I've realized after months (since 02/16) of attempting to resolve replacing a grave marker that includes my newly interned mother's name (with my father's), why my requests have fallen on deaf ears, is, because I'm dealing with mere puppets! Everybody answering the phones, or working at the Gate of Heaven cemetery have a couple of common characteristics: 1) they are all women (lesser subordinates in an hierarchal, patriarchal organization) doing what good puppets do and, 2) have no customer care training (because as puppets, they must follow the commands of their puppeteer). What needs to happen for ANYONE with ongoing problems with this privately owned, Catholic cemetery is deal with the puppet Master - the male behind the curtain pulling the strings. I plan to enlist the help of a powerful consumer advocate to assist my family's ongoing, but ignored requests, for information to change/add to my Dad's existing grave marker. Anyone else needing assistance with their problem can email me. Together, we can help one another. I'm willing to help anyone else who's concerns remain unanswered and unresolved. Email me if you wish to be included in my attempt to unveil the puppeteer in hopes of resolving my family's (or your) conflict. Actions speak louder than words. All we hear from Gate of Heaven is "blah, blah, blah,...I'll call you back. It's quite unfortunate that Gate of Heaven staff have exhibited no actions to back up their scripted voices to assist me, which reinforces the notion, - they have no power to do so. read more

My father was put to rest after his final days at Gates of Heaven Cemetary, It is the most beautiful & peacefull cementary here in Calif. the entrance into the cementary is just breath taking, you feel like you are entering a beautiful park setting, with the ponds and the flowers, the trees, are so beautiful, it is just so inviting, I'am so glad we choose this resting place for my wonderful father, we could have not picked a better place. read more

In memory of my mother who passed away in 2008 and was chosen to be in such a splendid and peaceful setting for eternal rest. I look forward coming there when I can. read more

Was promised they would send a picture of mom and dad's grave marker via email but have not received it yet. Request was sent 6/30. Hope they will respond. read more

I flew in from the East Coast to bury my father. The Wednesday prior to a Friday burial, I met with Oriana to discuss everything. What a piece of work this woman is! She got an attitude with me right from the start, once she found out we were not having a priest conduct the service "A Christian Pastor?" she asked. Then, she gave us the bill after the meeting. She told us "Your father will not be buried here unless this is paid today". Really matter of fact attitude when she said this. So, 2 days later, the service is at 1:30, it is 1:25, and my father' ashes are not at the chapel... So, I call the funeral home in a panic, and find out Oriana still has them at the main office! Well, the funeral home director gets on her, and she comes down with the guest book and my father's ashes.. No "I'm sorry" from her, just dropped them off. And just yesterday, I have someone who attended my father's service tell me Oriana was rude to her when she called about getting flowers back from the service. I have noticed Oriana has been named on here in other reviews, and all of them have been negative. Why is she still employed there? read more