Laying loved ones to rest in cemeteries is a tradition that stretches back over millennia. From small churchyard cemeteries to expansive private burial grounds, there are many types of resting places for the dead that can reflect their cultural, religious or ethnic background.
Today, the choice of a resting place is a major part of the funeral industry, with location, clothing, neighboring plots and more taken into consideration. Another major factor is price, with some plots costing over seven figures. Get to know some of the most expensive cemeteries in the U.S. below.
Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, Los Angeles
Topping the list of expensive cemeteries is Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in sunny Los Angeles. This cemetery is home to the mausoleum that contains the remains of Marilyn Monroe, and the burial ground is also the resting place of some famous names like Dean Martin, Natalie Wood and Burt Lancaster. As one of the most well-known cemeteries in the world, there’s plenty of competition for space. Plots are regularly traded on the open market, with some spots selling for prices in the millions.
Woodlawn Cemetery, the Bronx
Arguably one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world, Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York is the resting place of several famous names, including Babe Ruth, Miles Davis and Duke Ellington. It’s also a major tourist attraction for those who flock to see the meticulously maintained landscaped gardens each summer. While prices of basic burial plots start in the thousands, space in private mausoleums can reach into the millions.
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale
Another beautiful cemetery in sunny southern California, Forest Lawn Memorial Park includes six separate locations around Los Angeles, with the primary site located in Glendale. The site features three chapels and a fine art museum that holds regular exhibitions. Notable burials include Michael Jackson and Humphrey Bogart. If you want a spot in this exclusive cemetery, basic packages start in the thousands, with premium plots commanding up to $825,000.
Graceland Cemetery, Chicago
This famous cemetery is well known for its Victorian-era design and monuments with unique sculptures and architectural features. The sprawling site is the resting place of many famous Chicagoans, including the city’s founding fathers like Marshall Field, Daniel Burnham and Louis Sullivan. Basic burial plots can be had for prices in the low thousands, while premium individual and family plots closer to Lake Michigan can cost upwards of six figures.
Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge
Be prepared to shell out up to $500,000 for a burial plot in “America’s first garden cemetery,” Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Likely the first professionally managed park cemetery in the country, this well-designed and well-maintained burial site is the resting place of many famous Americans, including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Choosing a resting place in one of America’s cemeteries is an important decision, but so is the monument you choose to commemorate your life or the life of a loved one. Reach out to Steedley Monument Works today to create a beautiful monument that will stand the test of time.