IBPS Rose Hills Buddhist Columbarium

There are many Buddha statues along the driveway as you go up to the temple and cemetery. It is a very serene and peaceful setting. The temple is stately and the landscaping is impeccable and quite beautiful. The cemetery is located at the top of the hill, away from the temple. There are panoramic views of the city below.
tip — this cemetery can be accessed on foot from the Hacienda Hills hiking trail. It is about 10 miles roundtrip

Shot one of photo projects here and is one of my favorite pictures. 4×5 camera lens and metered on the dot. its a deep spot every time

I love this place. So peaceful.
I come here sometimes in the evening just to calm my mind and appreciate the solitude.

This place is so magnificent, high in the hills with a view of the cities below, downtown L.A. rests in the distance. Such a beautiful spot to have one’s ashes interned.
All around the summit, where the orange-​roofed building and monuments are located there is a constant recording of people chanting playing in the background on a continuous loop. It’s both meditative and haunting.
It’s free to visit and the people minding the Columbarium’s temple within were very kind.
My next hike will probably be over the hills to the east, just to capture the Columbarium in the foreground with Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Mountains behind it.
I’m not sure why someone posted a bunch of pictures of Hsi Lai Temple for the page here. While they are both managed by the same people, they are 10 miles apart, and all posting those photos does is lead to confusion.
Anyway, the location is bewitchingly glorious.
Just be careful with your vehicles. It’s A LOT of driving uphill to get there, and once we were back on flat ground, our brakes were much less responsive than before.

My grandpa is currently staying at this place.
I really wish IBPS can get some signs and stuff so that people don’t get lost when they enter Rose Hill. It is a pretty long drive from the front gate to the top of the hill and around the curvy paths.
The people who work here are very nice, they always greet you and make sure everything is well. If you bring fruits, food, or flowers, they will help you with setting up the stuff.
The best thing i like about this place is that you really don’t feel scared when your up here. Also remember to take a look at the view from the top of the hill.

Like joz, I have a very biased opinion on this place. While my father is interred down the hill (by SkyRose Chapel) in a private plot, he also has a seat at the columbarium. When he passed away suddenly a few years ago, everyone at Rose Hills was very supportive in helping my family take care of his memorials and interrment. Everytime I come home from school, I always visit his plot and the columbarium, and I always feel a little more peaceful when I go.

Fair warning that I am biased on this one, but that’s because the ashes of various members of my family are interred here. Essentially, the International Buddhist Progress Society (IBPS) Buddhist Columbarium is a place where the ashes of those who have passed away are interred.
When my paternal grandfather passed away in 1997, his ashes were temporarily housed at a location on the site of the Hsi Lai temple while they were completing construction. His ashes were moved here shortly thereafter. When my maternal grandmother passed away in 1999, we had her ashes interred here, as well. A few months ago, my father passed away very suddenly and our family made the decision to have his ashes placed in the niche next to his father’s. Needless to say, this place has a very special place in my heart. In a time of sorrow and grieving, I find solace here. While I can get creeped out from going to a cemetery, I always leave peaceful after visiting.
The people here was helpful in not only helping us secure a spot for my father’s ashes, but also helping us find an appropriate urn. They have chanting services every Saturday morning at 10:30am where anyone is welcome. Although the chanting is done in Chinese, you don’t need to speak/​read Chinese to chant the Dharma; they have English translations and phonetic guides to help you chant. Get there early if you actually want to read any of the Dharma, though… it does go fast.
The IBPS Buddhist Columbarium is located at the highest point of the Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary. Located on 2.5 acres, the Buddhist pagoda is surrounded by the scenery of rolling hills and meandering valleys. The three-​story structure is supported by crimson pillars and golden glazed tiles replicating the architecture of ancient Chinese palaces. Being the first of its kind in North America fully enriched with traditional cultures of Taiwan and China, the main entrance is adorned by the four heavenly guardians who protect sentient beings against all evils.
Throughout the surrounding elegant mottled marble walls are 60 images of Buddhas, an embodiment of acceptance to all. Neatly organized and stored within and outside the main pagoda are 20,000 vaults and niches. Individual and family size niches are available with three types of vaults — marble, glass and bronze. The pagoda groves are decorated with 1,600 little pagoda shrines designed for those who prefer individual stupas for themselves as well as their families. Pine trees on top of the hill, flowering shrubs and flower pavilions in the park for people to rest indeed accentuate the ideals of the pure land.
Monastics perform morning and evening chanting services everyday to transfer the merits to the deceased. In addition, the Memorial Columbarium provides services such as transferring of urns from one location to another and performs Buddhist traditional rites. In the event of Buddhist occasions, Hsi Lai Temple will prepare Dharma services in dedication of the deceased to gain the path of righteousness.
Vaults in the main pagoda and pagoda groves are jointly administered by the management of Hsi Lai Temple and Rose Hills Memorial Park for the purchaser who is given the Deed of Grant. In addition, all legal documents will be filed with the governmental body that has jurisdiction over this establishment. The park is maintained by specialists who adopt cutting-​edge technology and techniques that provide the most efficient and prompt service to all.
Here are a few links about the Columbarium at the Hsi Lai Temple website: