The 7 most famous graves in America and the stories behind them
Marilyn Monroe's grave at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary in Los Angeles (Photo: Walter Cicchetti on Shutterstock)
From sacred sites dedicated to national heroes to the final resting places of pop culture icons, famous graves in the United States have a unique power. These sites go beyond mere memorials to become places of pilgrimage for history, music and movie buffs. Whether it's the stoic grandeur of Arlington National Cemetery or the epathetic Hollywood Forever Cemetery, these final resting places offer a glimpse into the lives and legacies of those who continue to shape America's history. So, join us as we explore seven of the most famous graves in America where history whispers beneath the headstones. This list is compiled from the most frequently mentioned burial sites on eight expert lists. If we missed any gems you've visited, leave a comment below.
List: 7 famous graves to visit in the US
1. President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy's grave with eternal flame at Arlington National Cemetery (Photo by Charlie Hutton on Shutterstock)
After he was shot and killed in Dallas, many expected President John F. Kennedy to be buried in his home state of Massachusetts. But First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy ensured that he would be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Tens of millions of people have visited the cemetery since it opened to the public in 1967, according to Funeralocity, which is why it tops our list of the most famous graves in the United States.
Kennedy ' s widow, Jackie Kennedy, is now buried next to him. According to Eastern Memorials, the grave overlooks the Washington and Lincoln Monuments. The eternal flame lit by Jackie continues to burn.
Graveside Flowers reminds us why Kennedy was buried in Virginia and not Boston. Jacqueline insisted that "he belongs to the people." Only one other president is buried in the same cemetery: William Howard Taft, who died in 1930.
2. President Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln's grave in Springfield, Illinois (Photo by Reel creative on Shutterstock)
President Abraham Lincoln's grave is also a popular tourist spot. It is located in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. According to Titan Casket Company, Lincoln's grave is constructed of solid granite and has four flights of stairs.
Lincoln's tomb is impressive, but it's also interesting how his body got to Illinois. Join Cake magazine says the funeral train traveled through 180 towns, with crowds gathering along the way to see the preserved remains of the 16th president.
Lincoln's grave has been named one of the first National Historic Landmarks. He is buried there with his wife and three of his four sons, according to Eastern Memorials.
3. Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley's grave at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee (Photo by Dietmar Rauscher on Shutterstock)
More than 600,000 people visit Elvis Presley's grave at Graceland in Memphis every year . The King's daughter Lisa and his grandson, who passed away prematurely, are also buried there. According to Wanderlust, this is the second time this resting place has been chosen. Presley was originally buried in "a mausoleum at Forest Hills Cemetery in Memphis, but his body was moved to a meditation garden in Graceland after someone tried to steal his body and failed."
If you're planning to include Graceland on your travel itinerary, you might want to head there in late summer. According to Funeralocity, there will be an Elvis Walk on August 26 to honor the King of Rock and Roll.
Visiting Elvis' grave is free for one hour a day. Phaneuf Funeral Homes notes that you can visit the Meditation Garden from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. without charge - every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
4. Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra performs at the opening of the Warner Theater in Washington, D.C., in 1992 (Photo: mark reinstein on Shutterstock)
Frank Sinatra was born in New Jersey, but is buried on the other side of the country, in California. The famous singer was buried with "a bottle of Jack Daniels and a pack of Camel cigarettes," Wanderlust reports. Just in case he needed to still be alive at the party.
MSN reports that Sinatra's grave at Desert Memorial Park in Catedral City has "The Best Is Yet to Come ," the title of one of his famous songs, carved on his original headstone. But in 2021, it was mysteriously changed to "Sleep Warm Poppa."
Sinatra's final resting place is also home to songwriter Jimmy Van Heusen, who, according to Graveside Flowers, "wrote some of Sinatra's most famous songs."
5. Marilyn Monroe
Although Marilyn Monroe was a big star, her grave in Westwood Village Memorial Park is quite simple and unassuming. Titan Casket Company reports that the grave is labeled "Marilyn Monroe 1926-1962." Nearby you'll find the crypts of other celebrities, including Hugh Hefner, who bought the plot next to her grave a few years before her death.
According to the Wanderlust website, Marilyn's remains are in crypt #24. The site writes, "The marble is discolored from all the lipstick kisses," and the nameplate has to be replaced from time to time. Nearby are the graves of Jack Lemmon, Roy Orbison and Truman Capote.
Because so many stars are buried in this small cemetery , Graveside Flowers says it is often crowded, but of course it is open to the public. You'll find Marilyn's grave on the left.
6. Bruce Lee
The grave of Bruce Lee and his son Brandon Lee at Lake View Cemetery in Seattle (Photo: HansPhotoFactory on Shutterstock)
More than 40 years have passed since Bruce Lee's death, and people continue to flock to his final resting place. The official cause of his death was an allergic reaction to aspirin , but Graveside Flowers claims that he was rumored to have died "as a result of an evil curse".
One can't help but notice Lee's bright red tombstone, which, as MSN notes, lists only one accomplishment: "Founder Jit Kun Do."
7. Toto's dog
A memorial to Toto the dog at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles (Photo: Walter Cicchetti on Shutterstock)
If you are a fan of The Wizard of Oz, you will find this information interesting. According to Titan Casket, Terry, the California cairn terrier who played the famous Toto in the movie, originally had a different resting place that was unfortunately disrupted by freeway construction. Fortunately, devoted fans banded together and donated funds to build a new memorial in Toto's honor at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. It completes our list of the most famous graves in the United States.
Ironically, Judy Garland, who played Dorothy in the movie, is also buried in this cemetery , but her grave is not as popular as Toto's. Wanderlust says you'll probably recognize the cemetery if you visit it because it has been featured in countless horror movies.
The unveiling ceremony for Toto's headstone was attended by the great-grandson of L. Frank Baum, author of "The Wizard of Oz," MSN reported . The cemetery is located at 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles.