10 Famous Cemeteries to Visit
While HeadstoneHub is in the business of selling headstones that are a bit more traditional, we definitely appreciate the variety of gravestones and memorials that exist in different cemeteries all over the world. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to memorializing a loved one, and we believe that it’s important to personalize the final resting place of your loved one. If you’re an avid traveler and if you’re curious about the myriad of ways that people have been memorialized over the years, we recommend checking out some of the more famous cemeteries around the world.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Located: Los Angeles
Built in 1899, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Hundreds of famous people from the entertainment industry are buried there, including Judy Garland and Mel Blanc - who is famous for his headstone’s epitaph, “That’s All Folks.”
2. Green-Wood Cemetery
Located: Brooklyn, NY
Distinctive for being a vast expanse of green space in a city known for its lack thereof, the Green-Wood Cemetery dates back to 1838. It is known for its beautiful architecture. Pictured above is the famous 25th Street entrance to the cemetery.
3. Forest Lawn Cemetery
Located: Hollywood Hills, CA
This is another go-to attraction for people who are Hollywood buffs. If you’re a fan of the music and movie industry, there are hundreds of famous artists, musicians, actors and the like who are buried here.
4. Rosehill Cemetery Chicago
Located: Chicago, IL
Another cemetery known for its impressive architecture, the Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago is the largest cemetery in the city. In 1975, the cemetery’s administration building and entry gate (pictured above) were listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
5. Cimetière du Père Lachaise
Located: Paris, France
The Cimetière du Père Lachaise is famous not only for the dozens of famous names who rest here, but it’s also known for being the most frequently visited cemetery in the world. Over 3.5 million people come to see the memorials in this cemetery each year. Notable names of those buried here include Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison and Gertrude Stein.
6. Punta Arenas Cemetery
Located: Punta Arenas, Chile
Known for its urban legends that shroud the grounds in mystery, the Punta Arenas Cemetery is a must-see for those traveling in South America. The cemetery was first built in 1894, and is often regarded as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world.
7. The Merry Cemetery
Located: Romania
These memorials speak for themselves. Known for their colorful, ornate nature, all of the memorials in The Merry Cemetery are beautifully painted with images that aim to capture the lives of those buried here. These tombstones are also known for their epitaphs, many of which take a lighter, more celebratory - and sometimes even whimsical - approach to memorializing the deceased.
8. Arlington National Cemetery
Located: Arlington, VA
This is one of the most historic landmarks in the U.S. The Arlington National Cemetery is where many fallen military members are laid to rest, as well as prominent political figures and government officials.
9. Granary Burying Ground
Located: Boston, MA
Another must-see for history fans, the Granary Burying Ground is the final resting place for some of the most famous names in U.S. history. Built in 1660, this cemetery is where Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, John Hancock and many notable others are buried.
10. Highgate Cemetery
Located: London, England
Located in the northern part of London, Highgate Cemetery is one of the famed “Magnificent Seven” cemeteries in London.
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