Famous People Buried in Los Angeles: Learn About Celebrity Graves You Can Visit
Celebrities live big- and they die big. Many of them choose Los Angeles as their final resting place, as it is where they live and work. This article provides information on famous people buried in Los Angeles, so you can visit them when you’re in town.
Table of Contents
- Introduction: The Celebrity Life and Death Obsession
- Famous People Buried in Los Angeles
- About Opal Cremation
- FAQs
- Additional Resources
Key Takeaways
- People are often obsessed with celebrities- how they live and how they die. They may visit their favorite celebrities’ graves to pay tribute.
- Los Angeles is a popular place for celebrity graves, as many famous people live and work there. Famous graves include Marilyn Monroe’s, Judy Garland’s, Jimmy Stewart’s, and more.
- Consider taking a trip to see all the city’s famous graves. This article provides helpful tips to support your journey.
Introduction: The Celebrity Life and Death Obsession
Let’s face it: People are obsessed with celebrities. We want to know what they are up to, who they are dating, and what they are wearing. They appear to live a life of glamour, one that so few of us ever get a taste of.
And just as we love to know how they are living their lives, we also want to know about their final resting place; another way to glean insight into how the other half lives.
Sometimes celebrity gravesites are mundane, but others are gaudy and over-the-top, permanently ensconced in mausoleums- some of the most ornate gravesites you can imagine. Find out about the famous people buried in Los Angeles, so you can pay your respects. And if their stories inspire you to think about your own afterlife plans, Opal Cremation is here to help Southern California families navigate that conversation.
Famous People Buried in Los Angeles
Marilyn Monroe – Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park
Address: 1218 Glendon Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Marilyn Monroe is one of the most iconic women in pop culture history, known for her film career, fashion, and relationships. The actress is buried in Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park, along with other famous actors and artists of her time, including Natalie Wood, Fanny Brice, Truman Capote, Rodney Dangerfield, and, fittingly, director Billy Wilder, with whom Monroe collaborated on Some Like It Hot.
But most famously, she is in proximity to Hugh Hefner. The Playboy magnate fulfilled his wish of being buried with the starlet and rests in the crypt directly next to hers. Richard Poncher, the man who bought the crypt above hers, requested to be buried upside down.
Monroe’s grave stands out from others due to a popular tradition. Fans often visit and leave lipstick kisses on her tombstone, offering the bronze marker a distinct hue. However, it is frequently replaced to prevent degradation from constant smudging and handling.
Other fans leave flowers on her grave, including her ex-husband Joe DiMaggio, who reportedly sent roses to her final resting place three times a week for twenty years after her death.
Judy Garland – Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Address: 6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Judy Garland may have lived a difficult life, but she is celebrated in death. Best known for her role in Over the Rainbow, she was initially buried at Ferncliff Cemetery in New York. However, her family relocated her body in 2017 so she could have a bigger plot and rest with other family members.
Today, her crypt is the centerpiece of the Judy Garland Pavilion in Hollywood Forever Cemetery. It is one of the most visited sites in the cemetery, drawing visitors from around the world. Hollywood Forever is also a beloved destination for Los Angeles locals, who attend its famous outdoor film screenings and Día de los Muertos celebrations on the cemetery grounds.
Her resting place is adorned with her favorite flowers, yellow roses, and is engraved with an epitaph that quotes her song, “Through the Years”. “I’ll come to you smiling through the years,” it reads.
“Since 1906, this place has been the burial grounds for Hollywood’s rich, famous, and elite,” says Jeremy Hubbard in the video Exploring Hollywood’s Famous Cemeteries Where Celebrities Rest. He also states, “Just like Hollywood real estate, most of the prized spots in the cemetery are reserved for the more well-known,” referring to waterfront and high-visibility locations at Hollywood Forever and Forest Lawn.
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Bela Lugosi – The Holy Cross Cemetery & Mortuary
Address: 5835 W Slauson Ave, Culver City, CA 90230
While Dracula is never actually dead, the Romanian actor who famously played him, Bela Lugosi, has a final resting place at the Holy Cross Cemetery & Mortuary in Culver City. The cemetery is known for its lush gardens and ponds, and also serves as the final resting place for stars like Bing Crosby, Rita Hayworth, John Candy, and Sharon Tate.
Although Lugosi’s grave appears unassuming, it carries the spooky legend of Dracula, as the actor was buried in costume, wearing his full cape, at the request of his fifth wife and son.
It draws fans who leave tributes like Dracula cards and rocks to celebrate the legacy. Many like to visit it during the Halloween season, claiming it has a ‘hauntingly peaceful’ vibe.
Despite Lugosi’s popularity as Dracula, he died penniless in 1956. Frank Sinatra anonymously covered his funeral costs, further contributing to the lore.
Jimmy Stewart – Forest Lawn Glendale
Address: 1712 S Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91205
Even though he was born in Indiana, actor Jimmy Stewart’s final resting place is at Forest Lawn Glendale, which is also home to classic actors like Clark Gable, Mary Pickford, Humphrey Bogart, Sammy Davis Jr., George Burns, Gracie Allen, Nat King Cole, and Michael Jackson. Visiting his grave requires a steep hike that many call a ‘cemetery safari’, yet it’s worthwhile to visit this acting legend and the many celebrities that surround him.
Although the actor may have led a ‘wonderful life’, his grave is marked by a simple bronze plaque inscribed with his name, James Maitland Stewart, date of birth and death, May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997, and a Bible verse, “For He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways,” from Psalm 91:11-12.
The actor is buried alongside his wife Gloria, in accordance with his last words, “I’m going to be with Gloria now.” Visitors often leave pennies on his grave as a nod to his role in It’s a Wonderful Life, where pennies symbolize Clarence, the Angel getting his wings.
Liberace – Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills
Address: 6300 Forest Lawn Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068
Humongous statues. Beautiful scenery. Would you expect Liberace to be resting anywhere else?
Close to Griffith Park, Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills features beautiful artwork that Liberace is sure to have admired. He is also in good company, with other residents including Brittany Murphy, Lucille Ball, John Ritter, Buster Keaton, Nipsey Hussle, Paul Walker, and Michael Hutchence.
The famous musician is buried in a tomb with the statue of a woman holding flowers standing atop it. Also buried there are his brother, mother, and father.
His tombstone reads ‘son and brother’ but features an elaborate autograph, designed to look like Liberace’s flamboyant script, with a cartoon-like piano below it. It also reads ‘Sheltered Love,” a subtle nod to his closeted personal life in contrast to his showy on-stage persona.
If you plan to visit Liberace’s grave, do some research in advance. The cemetery will not disclose its location, making it difficult to find. You may also consider booking a tour, as many tour groups include a viewing as part of their services.
Ray Charles – Inglewood Park Cemetery
Address: 720 E Florence Ave, Inglewood, CA 90301
With fountains, gardens, and beautiful reflecting pools, Inglewood Park Cemetery is a lovely spot for a legendary musician who is buried in the Mausoleum of the Golden West in the Sanctuary of Eternal Love corridor.
The entrance is grand, leading visitors into a large, ornate mausoleum with chapels, skylights, and a long corridor of crypts. However, his tomb is discreet, placed high on the wall, simply reading his name, Ray Charles Robinson, and his date of birth and death.
He keeps company with other influential musicians like Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James.
Since so many people are buried close together, consider planning a trip specifically for cemetery visits. Many cemeteries have multiple celebrity graves. What’s more, many of these cemeteries are less than an hour from each other, making a full day of Los Angeles cemetery tourism entirely doable — and surprisingly moving. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing to make your trip more enjoyable.
We recommend researching in advance, so you are not trekking all over each cemetery to find your destination graves.
Plan Your Visit
| Celebrity | Cemetery & Area | What’s Special | Access | Best Time to Visit |
| Marilyn Monroe | Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park (Westwood/UCLA | Lipstick marks, buried next to Hugh Hefner | Small, tucked away, parking can be limited, flat, easy, compact grounds | Weekday mornings |
| Judy Garland | Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Hollywood) | Yellow roses, pavilion, song lyric epitaph | Visitor friendly, flat grounds, easy to reach | Late afternoon/Sunset |
| Bela Lugosi | Holy Cross Cemetery & Mortuary (Culver City) | Simple plaque, hauntingly peaceful vibe, buried in Dracula cape | Ample parking, office may not give celebrity locations, gentle sloping grounds and paved roads | Cooler parts of the morning or evening, October is ideal, but you may encounter crowds |
| Jimmy Stewart | Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) | Fans leave pennies as a tribute to It’s a Wonderful Life | Huge property, staff won’t generally disclose locations, large hilly grounds | Midday for better visibility finding the site |
| Liberace | Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) | Family tomb with statue above, autograph style name and piano motif on marker | Huge property, staff won’t generally disclose locations, large hilly grounds | Midday for better visibility finding the site |
| Ray Charles | Inglewood Park Cemetery (Inglewood) | Simple wall crypt in the Grand Mausoleum of the Golden West | Easy drive-in, level floors, possible stairs and ramps | Weekdays when the mausoleum is open |
About Opal Cremation
Obviously, the passing of a loved one is an emotional and overwhelming experience. Opal Cremation is dedicated to helping family and friends in Los Angeles and Orange County navigate these difficult times. We offer several all-inclusive packages for direct cremation services in Los Angeles and Orange County, personalized to each family’s needs.
Southern California families can arrange direct cremation over the phone, and our dedicated care team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to guide you through every step of the process.
For more information, you can visit our support center. There, you’ll find a list of frequently asked questions regarding cremation and other helpful resources. You can also contact us directly for more information.
FAQs
Why are so many famous people buried in Los Angeles?
Famous people are buried in Los Angeles because many celebrities live and work there. Cemeteries near studios, such as Hollywood Forever, Forest Lawn, and Westwood Memorial Park, have become popular for celebrities’ final resting places. Once a few prominent names are buried there, others follow.
Can I be buried or interred in the same cemetery as celebrities?
Yes, in most instances, you can be buried or interred in the same cemetery as celebrities if there is space available and you’re prepared to pay the cost. Prices are typically high, especially in sections near famous burials.
Can the public visit these cemeteries and celebrity graves?
In most cases, yes. Many L.A. cemeteries are open to the public and allow quiet visitation and photography during visiting hours. Some even offer maps, guided tours, and special events. However, other graves are difficult to access, reflecting a desire for privacy.
Do celebrities get special treatment when choosing a burial or cremation place?
Yes, celebrities often get special treatment when choosing a burial or cremation place. They work with cemetery staff to secure private, scenic, or prestigious spots, or in mausoleums or gated sections. However, others choose ordinary or even unmarked graves for privacy or personal reasons.
How do people find specific celebrity graves in Los Angeles?
You can find specific graves by looking at official cemetery maps, books, websites, blogs, and videos. Some cemetery tours also visit particular graves. They may also show up on mobile GPS grave-locator apps.
