13 Most Famous Cemeteries in the US
Cemeteries are more than final resting places — they are also landmarks of culture, history, and architecture. Many of the most famous cemeteries in the US attract millions of visitors each year, offering a mix of solemn reflection, artistic beauty, and historical significance. From military heroes and presidents to poets and rock stars, these cemeteries tell America’s story in stone.
In this guide, we’ll explore the 13 most famous cemeteries in the US, what makes them special, and why they are worth visiting.
1. Arlington National Cemetery – Arlington, Virginia
Arlington is the most famous military cemetery in the United States and one of the most solemn places to visit. Established during the Civil War on land that once belonged to Robert E. Lee’s family, the cemetery now spans over 600 acres.
Interesting Fact: More than 25 burials take place every weekday, making Arlington both a national monument and an active cemetery.
Notable Burials: President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, boxer Joe Louis, and astronauts from the Challenger and Columbia space shuttle disasters.
Key Features: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, guarded 24/7 by the U.S. Army’s Old Guard; the eternal flame at JFK’s gravesite; and Arlington House overlooking the grounds.
2. Hollywood Forever Cemetery – Los Angeles, California
Founded in 1899, Hollywood Forever is one of the most famous cemeteries in the US for its celebrity residents and cultural events.
Interesting Fact: Hollywood Forever doubles as a cultural venue. Its summer film screenings on the lawn attract thousands, blending old Hollywood with modern-day gatherings.
Notable Burials: Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Cecil B. DeMille, Rudolph Valentino, Chris Cornell, and Anton Yelchin.
Key Features: A memorial to Hattie McDaniel, the first African-American to win an Academy Award, though she was denied burial here due to segregation at the time. Her cenotaph was placed in 1999.
3. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 – New Orleans, Louisiana
Famous for its above-ground vaults and unique Creole traditions, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is one of the oldest and most visited cemeteries in the US. Opened in 1789, this is New Orleans’ oldest cemetery and one of the most unique burial grounds in the US. Because of the city’s high water table, the dead are interred in above-ground tombs.
Interesting Fact: Actor Nicolas Cage purchased a pyramid-shaped tomb here for his future burial, sparking local controversy.
Notable Burials: Voodoo queen Marie Laveau, architect Benjamin Latrobe, and Homer Plessy of the landmark Plessy v. Ferguson case.
Key Features: Ornate vaults that look like miniature cities, leading to the nickname “Cities of the Dead.”
4. Mount Auburn Cemetery – Cambridge, Massachusetts
America’s first “garden cemetery,” Mount Auburn was founded in 1831 and designed to resemble a peaceful park. Its combination of rolling hills, ponds, and elaborate memorials influenced cemetery design across the country.
- Notable Burials: Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter, and painter Winslow Homer.
- Key Features: More than 5,000 trees representing 600 species, making it a destination for birdwatchers and nature lovers.
- Interesting Fact: Mount Auburn inspired the creation of public parks like Central Park in New York City.
5. Bonaventure Cemetery – Savannah, Georgia
With moss-covered oaks and haunting statuary, Bonaventure is one of the most photographed cemeteries in America. It became widely known after the 1994 book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Interesting Fact: Bonaventure was originally a plantation before it became a cemetery in 1846.
Notable Burials: Songwriter Johnny Mercer, poet Conrad Aiken, and Georgia’s first governor Edward Telfair.
Key Features: The iconic “Bird Girl” statue (now in a museum) was once photographed here for the famous book cover.
6. Woodlawn Cemetery – Bronx, New York
Woodlawn, designated a National Historic Landmark, is one of the largest cemeteries in New York City and a showcase of Gilded Age wealth.
Interesting Fact: More than 300,000 people are buried here, and its impressive memorials have earned it the nickname “The Outdoor Museum of the Bronx.”
Notable Burials: Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Herman Melville, Fiorello LaGuardia, and Joseph Pulitzer.
Key Features: Elaborate mausoleums designed by renowned architects such as McKim, Mead & White.
7. Forest Lawn Memorial Park – Glendale, California
Forest Lawn is known for blending memorials with art and architecture, making it feel like both a cemetery and an open-air museum.
Interesting Fact: Founder Hubert Eaton envisioned cemeteries as “parks of peace” rather than gloomy places, revolutionizing cemetery culture in the US.
Notable Burials: Walt Disney, Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, Clark Gable, and Jean Harlow.
Key Features: A vast collection of art, including stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany and a huge mosaic of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper.
8. Gettysburg National Cemetery – Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
This historic cemetery is the site where President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address in 1863. Thousands of Union soldiers who fought in the Battle of Gettysburg are buried here, making it a deeply symbolic landmark in American history.
Interesting Fact: The speech, delivered in just over two minutes, remains one of the most famous in American history.
Notable Burials: More than 3,500 Union soldiers, many unidentified. Confederate soldiers were buried elsewhere.
Key Features: The site of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address in 1863.
9. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery – Sleepy Hollow, New York
Made legendary by Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, this cemetery combines folklore with American history.
Interesting Fact: Tours often focus on the legend of the Headless Horseman, blending literature with history.
Notable Burials: Washington Irving, Andrew Carnegie, Walter Chrysler, and Elizabeth Arden.
Key Features: Historic mausoleums and views of the Old Dutch Church, central to Irving’s story.
10. Green-Wood Cemetery – Brooklyn, New York
Founded in 1838, Green-Wood is a National Historic Landmark known for its beauty and cultural influence.
Interesting Fact: Green-Wood was once so popular it influenced the movement to create Central Park.
Notable Burials: Composer Leonard Bernstein, artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, and newspaper editor Horace Greeley.
Key Features: Rolling hills, gothic architecture, and a Civil War memorial honoring 5,000 soldiers.
11. Congressional Cemetery – Washington, D.C.
This historic cemetery holds strong ties to American politics and culture.
Interesting Fact: The cemetery almost fell into ruin in the 20th century but was saved by community activism and preservation efforts.
Notable Burials: Early members of Congress, J. Edgar Hoover, and composer John Philip Sousa.
Key Features: “Congressional cenotaphs” mark the graves of more than 150 congressmen.
12. Lake View Cemetery – Cleveland, Ohio
Lake View is famous for its presidential memorial and towering monuments.
Interesting Fact: The Wade Memorial Chapel on-site was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and is one of only a few Tiffany-designed chapels still intact.
Notable Burials: President James A. Garfield, oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller, and crime boss Eliot Ness.
Key Features: The Garfield Monument, with a 180-foot tower offering panoramic views of Cleveland.
13. Graceland Cemetery – Chicago, Illinois
Graceland is a resting place for many of Chicago’s movers and shakers.
Interesting Fact: The cemetery was designed as a landscaped park, with winding paths and scenic lakes that reflect Chicago’s 19th-century prosperity.
Notable Burials: Architect Daniel Burnham, retailer Marshall Field, and philanthropist George Pullman.
Key Features: The haunting “Eternal Silence” statue by sculptor Lorado Taft and the “Statue of the Crusader,” honoring businessmen.
Why Visit the Most Famous Cemeteries in the US?
Together, these 13 most famous cemeteries in the US showcase the country’s history, from Civil War battlefields to Hollywood glamour. They highlight how cemeteries are not just about death, but also about memory, culture, and art.
Visiting cemeteries may seem unusual, but many of these sites are both historic and beautiful. They offer:
- A chance to honor famous figures and military heroes.
- Unique examples of architecture, sculpture, and landscape design.
- Insight into cultural and religious traditions across the US.
- Peaceful, reflective spaces away from busy city life.
If you’re planning a trip to one of these famous cemeteries, it’s important to remember cemetery etiquette. Check out our guide on rules for visiting cemeteries to make sure your visit is respectful.
For a detailed look at cemetery preservation efforts across the country, visit the National Park Service’s historic preservation resources
What is the most visited cemetery in the US?
Arlington National Cemetery is the most visited, drawing over 3 million people each year.
Why are some cemeteries considered famous?
Cemeteries gain fame due to notable burials, historic events, architectural beauty, or cultural significance.
Can tourists visit these cemeteries?
Yes, most of the famous cemeteries in the US are open to the public, though visitors should always follow posted rules and etiquette.
Are guided tours available in famous cemeteries?
Many historic cemeteries, such as Green-Wood in Brooklyn and Bonaventure in Savannah, offer guided tours that highlight their history and notable residents.
What makes Arlington National Cemetery unique?
Its combination of national significance, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the burial of American presidents and heroes makes it the most iconic cemetery in the US.
Conclusion
The 13 most famous cemeteries in the US are more than burial sites — they are reflections of history, culture, and art. From Arlington National Cemetery to Hollywood Forever and Bonaventure, each location tells its own unique story. By exploring these sacred grounds, visitors not only pay respects to the past but also gain a deeper appreciation of America’s heritage.