Famous Graves in America: Notable Burial Sites
Discover the final resting places of presidents, celebrities, musicians, athletes, and historic figures across America. From Arlington National Cemetery to Hollywood Forever, explore the stories and locations of notable burial sites.
The United States is home to countless historic cemeteries where American legends rest eternally. From the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery to the star-studded avenues of Hollywood Forever, these sacred spaces offer visitors a unique connection to history, culture, and the individuals who shaped our nation.
Whether you're tracing your genealogy, paying respects to a personal hero, or simply exploring America's rich cultural heritage, visiting famous graves has become an increasingly popular pursuit known as cemetery tourism or taphophilia. This comprehensive guide will help you discover, locate, and respectfully visit the burial sites of notable Americans.
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Categories of Famous Burials
Our database tracks over 39,000 notable Americans across various fields of achievement. From political leaders to entertainment icons, here are the major categories of famous graves you can explore:
Presidential burial sites from Washington to modern leaders
•John F. Kennedy - Arlington National Cemetery
•Abraham Lincoln - Oak Ridge Cemetery, IL
•George Washington - Mount Vernon, VA
Hollywood legends and entertainment icons
•Marilyn Monroe - Westwood Village Memorial
•Michael Jackson - Forest Lawn, Glendale
•Judy Garland - Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Music legends from jazz to rock and classical
•Elvis Presley - Graceland, Memphis
•Johnny Cash - Hendersonville Memory Gardens
•Louis Armstrong - Flushing Cemetery, Queens
Baseball legends, boxing champions, and Olympic heroes
•Babe Ruth - Gate of Heaven Cemetery, NY
•Jackie Robinson - Cypress Hills Cemetery
•Muhammad Ali - Cave Hill Cemetery, KY
Literary giants and influential authors
•Edgar Allan Poe - Westminster Hall, Baltimore
•Mark Twain - Woodlawn Cemetery, NY
•Ernest Hemingway - Ketchum Cemetery, ID
Pioneers who changed our world
•Thomas Edison - Rosedale Cemetery, NJ
•Benjamin Franklin - Christ Church Burial Ground
•Nikola Tesla - Ferncliff Cemetery, NY
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Understanding Cemetery Tourism
Cemetery tourism, also known as dark tourism or taphophilia, has grown significantly in recent decades. What was once considered morbid curiosity is now recognized as a meaningful way to connect with history, honor cultural icons, and appreciate the artistry of memorial architecture.
Historic cemeteries are outdoor museums of art, architecture, and social history. The monuments and epitaphs tell stories of love, loss, and legacy. Victorian-era cemeteries like Mount Auburn in Massachusetts pioneered the garden cemetery movement, creating peaceful landscapes that served as public parks before dedicated park systems existed.
Today, cemeteries like Hollywood Forever embrace tourism by hosting movie screenings, concerts, and guided tours. This shift has helped fund preservation efforts and introduced younger generations to the cultural significance of memorial spaces.
Top Cemeteries for Famous Graves
While notable Americans are buried in cemeteries across all 50 states, certain locations have become pilgrimage destinations for those seeking to pay respects to cultural icons and historical figures.
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Virginia
America's most hallowed ground, the final resting place of over 400,000 service members, veterans, and notable Americans including President John F. Kennedy.
Notable Burials:
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Hollywood, California
The resting place of Hollywood's golden age stars. Features elaborate monuments and hosts movie screenings on the lawn.
Notable Burials:
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Glendale, California
Known as "The Disneyland of Death," this sprawling memorial park houses numerous celebrities in private, unmarked graves.
Notable Burials:
Graceland
Memphis, Tennessee
Elvis Presley's famous estate and final resting place. The Meditation Garden contains graves of Elvis and his family.
Notable Burials:
Westwood Village Memorial Park
Los Angeles, California
A small but star-studded cemetery hidden among skyscrapers in Westwood. Final resting place of Marilyn Monroe.
Notable Burials:
Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Hawthorne, New York
Catholic cemetery north of New York City, final resting place of baseball legend Babe Ruth.
Notable Burials:
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How to Find Celebrity Graves
Locating the grave of a famous person requires research, as not all burial sites are publicly disclosed. Here are the most effective methods for finding celebrity and historical graves:
Online Databases
Find A Grave (findagrave.com) is the largest collection of cemetery records with millions of entries. BillionGraves offers GPS-tagged locations. Both are community-maintained and regularly updated.
Many famous graves include photos of headstones, cemetery maps, and directions.
Deaths Calendar
Our deaths calendar tracks notable Americans who passed away on each day of the year, with burial information when available.
Currently tracking 39,000+ notable individuals with cemetery connections.
Cemetery Records
Contact cemeteries directly for burial records. Many larger cemeteries maintain databases and can provide grave locations, section numbers, and visiting hours.
Use our cemetery search to find contact information.
Photo Documentation
Volunteers photograph headstones and upload them to online databases. You can contribute by photographing unmarked graves in your local cemeteries.
This community effort helps preserve history and assists genealogical research.
Presidential Burial Sites
All 39 deceased presidents are buried across 19 states, with many presidential libraries and estates serving as final resting places. Presidential graves often become pilgrimage sites for Americans seeking to connect with history.
Notable Presidential Burial Sites
Most Visited
- JFK - Arlington National Cemetery, VA
- Abraham Lincoln - Oak Ridge Cemetery, IL
- George Washington - Mount Vernon, VA
- Thomas Jefferson - Monticello, VA
States with Multiple Presidents
- •Virginia - 4 presidents
- •New York - 5 presidents
- •Ohio - 7 presidents
- •California - 2 presidents
Presidential libraries operated by the National Archives and Records Administration often include burial sites or memorial gardens. These facilities offer educational exhibits about each president's life and legacy, making them ideal destinations for combining historical learning with respectful visitation.
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Cemetery Visiting Etiquette
Visiting famous graves is a meaningful experience, but it's essential to remember that cemeteries are sacred spaces where families gather to grieve and remember loved ones. Following proper etiquette ensures a respectful visit for everyone.
Maintain Quiet and Respect
Keep conversations low and avoid loud noises. Remember that cemeteries are sacred spaces for many families.
Follow Photography Rules
Many cemeteries allow photography, but be discreet. Never photograph active funerals or grieving families.
Stay on Designated Paths
Avoid walking over graves when possible. Use marked pathways to show respect for burial sites.
Do Not Disturb Grave Items
Never remove flowers, mementos, or decorations left by families. These items have deep personal meaning.
Check Cemetery Hours
Most cemeteries have specific visiting hours. Arrive with enough time to visit before closing.
Dress Appropriately
While there's no strict dress code, modest and respectful attire is appreciated.
Important Reminder
Some celebrity families have requested privacy or limited access to grave sites. Always respect any barriers, signs, or requests from cemetery staff. The goal of cemetery tourism should be to honor the deceased, not to treat graves as tourist attractions.
Connecting with Your Ancestry
Beyond celebrity graves, cemeteries are invaluable resources for genealogical research. Headstones often contain information not found in official records, including birth dates, death dates, family relationships, maiden names, and sometimes entire family histories.
Historic cemeteries can reveal patterns of immigration, religious affiliations, causes of death during epidemics, and social structures of communities. Many genealogists consider cemetery visits essential to understanding their family history.
Our cemetery database includes 6,000+ locations across all 50 states, helping you locate burial grounds where your ancestors may rest. Combined with online records and local historical societies, cemetery research can break through genealogical brick walls.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Explore Notable Deaths Calendar
Discover which notable Americans passed away on any day of the year. Learn about their lives and find their final resting places.
About this guide: This comprehensive guide to famous graves in America is maintained by the Cemetery Near Me editorial team. We strive to provide accurate, respectful, and helpful information for those researching burial sites and planning cemetery visits. Last updated: December 2025.