The form is a mound, a mountain. The building echoes the San Bruno Mountains adjacent to the cemeteries, existing at their scale, eternal, enduring; covered in Jerusalem stone.

The elemental simplicity of the building, its primacy and certainty, evoke the absolute nature of death.

The building has three parts: head, heart and body.

The entry is at the torn heart, shifted out as a vestibule and leaving a court of tears. This water court frames a view of the San Bruno Mountains, and Psalm 121 ‘Song of Ascents’ is inscribed on the wall:

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth…….

The Chapel is the head, soul of the composition. All light enters from the floating roof above supported by the Star of David structure. Seating is around the table for the coffin in the form of a menorah of light.

The support activities are the body of the composition. Here the deceased is washed and prepared for burial and delivered to the Chapel via a tunnel through the court.