Fernando Venegas drives around the sprawling Italian Cemetery in Colma on April 5, 2022. He started working at the cemetery in 2007 after he quit a supermarket job at Lucky’s. He said he enjoys spending his workday outside and not having to talk to that many people. (Morgan Ellis/Xpress Magazine)

Mausoleums and headstones at the Italian Cemetery in Colma on April 5, 2022. Some individuals have resided in the cemetery since as early as the late 19th century. (Morgan Ellis / Xpress Magazine)

Fernando Venegas tends to the sprinkling system at the Italian Cemetery in Colma on April 5, 2022. Venegas is part of a small crew that maintains the cemetery grounds. His duties include taking care of the various plants and sprinklers and digging the graves. (Morgan Ellis/Xpress Magazine)