Whether you’re fascinated by history or curious about where some of the most well-known people in American culture are laid to rest, visiting their burial sites can offer a unique way to connect with their stories. From political icons to Hollywood legends, these final resting places have become landmarks in their own right. Let’s take a look at seven famous burial sites in the U.S. that tell part of the story of some extraordinary individuals.
John F. Kennedy – Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia
John F. Kennedy, the 35th U.S. President, rests at the serene and historic Arlington National Cemetery, primarily reserved for military personnel. His gravesite is particularly famous for the Eternal Flame, a symbol of his enduring legacy, lit by his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, at his funeral in 1963. Visitors from all over the world come to pay their respects, standing before the flame that burns endlessly in honor of his life.
– Location: Arlington, Virginia
– What to Look For: The Eternal Flame
– Other Notable Graves: Robert F. Kennedy, William Howard Taft, and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
Elvis Presley – Graceland, Tennessee
Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock and Roll,” is buried at Graceland, his famous estate in Memphis. Originally laid to rest in a public cemetery, his body was later moved to the Meditation Garden at Graceland after a security scare. Fans of Elvis still flock here, not only to see his home but to visit the grave where he rests alongside his parents and grandmother.
– Location: Memphis, Tennessee
– What to Look For: Elvis’s grave in the peaceful Meditation Garden
– Interesting Fact: Graceland is the second most-visited home in the United States, trailing only the White House.
Marilyn Monroe – Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, California
Marilyn Monroe, one of the most iconic stars in Hollywood history, is buried in a modest crypt at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. Despite its quiet, unassuming appearance, her burial site remains a place of pilgrimage for fans, many of whom leave lipstick marks or flowers as a tribute to her enduring stardom.
– Location: Los Angeles, California
– What to Look For: Monroe’s crypt is often marked by lipstick kisses from adoring fans
– Other Famous Neighbors: Dean Martin, Natalie Wood, and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner, who purchased the crypt next to hers.
Martin Luther King Jr. – The King Center, Georgia
Civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. is buried at The King Center in Atlanta, alongside his wife, Coretta Scott King. His grave is set in the middle of a reflecting pool, creating a tranquil environment for visitors to reflect on his incredible contributions to the fight for justice and equality. It’s a moving experience, especially for those who visit during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
– Location: Atlanta, Georgia
– What to Look For: The peaceful reflecting pool and Eternal Flame honoring King’s legacy
– Did You Know? Coretta Scott King founded the King Center shortly after Dr. King’s assassination to preserve his legacy.
Frank Sinatra – Desert Memorial Park, California
Legendary singer Frank Sinatra, known for his smooth voice and larger-than-life personality, is buried in Desert Memorial Park near Palm Springs, California. His grave marker is simple but poignant, engraved with the words “The Best is Yet to Come,” a nod to one of his famous songs. Devoted fans sometimes leave small tokens like Jack Daniels, Sinatra’s favorite drink, as a tribute to the man who lived life on his own terms.
– Location: Cathedral City, California
– What to Look For: His headstone inscription, “The Best is Yet to Come”
– Other Notables Buried Nearby: Sonny Bono.
Walt Disney – Forest Lawn Memorial Park, California
Despite persistent myths about Walt Disney being cryogenically frozen, the truth is far simpler: Disney is actually buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. His grave is relatively modest, considering the massive impact he had on entertainment and culture, but it’s a meaningful stop for those who want to pay tribute to the man who created so much magic for generations.
– Location: Glendale, California
– What to Look For: A humble family plaque marking the resting place of Walt Disney
– Other Famous Burials: Michael Jackson, Humphrey Bogart, and Clark Gable.
Abraham Lincoln – Lincoln Tomb, Illinois
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, is buried in the Lincoln Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. His final resting place is a grand structure, complete with a towering obelisk and a bronze bust of Lincoln’s head, which visitors traditionally rub for good luck. Inside, Lincoln’s body lies in a vault beneath the floor, a fittingly secure and solemn site for the president who led the country through the Civil War.
– Location: Springfield, Illinois
– What to Look For: The impressive tomb and the bronze bust of Lincoln
– Other Burials Here: Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, and three of their sons.
Conclusion
These burial sites serve as more than just final resting places; they are also destinations for reflection, remembrance, and connection to history. Each site, whether it’s the quiet dignity of JFK’s Eternal Flame or the grandeur of Lincoln’s tomb, offers a chance to reflect on the lives of these extraordinary people. So, whether you’re a history buff or a fan looking to pay respects, these famous graves are well worth a visit.