Think getting into an exclusive club is hard? Try snagging a spot in one of America’s most prestigious cemeteries. With stunning landscapes, celebrity neighbors, and centuries of history, these final resting places are the ultimate VIP hangouts—if you can get in. Whether you’re looking for a serene escape, fascinated by folklore, or plotting your eternal address, here’s a rundown of the top 20 cemeteries where only the truly distinguished, or well-connected, get to stay forever.
Here’s the Top 20 Cemeteries in the U.S., formatted with H2 headlines for each cemetery and addresses linked to Google Maps that open in a new tab:
Top 20 Most Breathtaking Cemeteries in the U.S. – You’ll Be Amazed at Who’s Buried Here!
Think getting into an exclusive club is hard? Try snagging a spot in one of America’s most prestigious cemeteries. With stunning landscapes, celebrity neighbors, and centuries of history, these final resting places are the ultimate VIP hangouts—if you can get in. Here’s a rundown of the top 20 cemeteries where only the truly distinguished, or well-connected, get to stay forever.
1. Arlington National Cemetery
Location: Arlington, VA 22211
Address: 1 Memorial Ave, Arlington, VA 22211
Can You Buy a Grave? No, burials are reserved for military personnel, their families, and qualified veterans.
Commentary: Arlington is America’s most famous military cemetery, with rows of white tombstones honoring soldiers from every U.S. conflict. The cemetery is a symbol of national sacrifice and service, featuring landmarks like the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the eternal flame at John F. Kennedy’s gravesite. With its strict burial eligibility, it remains a place of honor for those who served their country. The cemetery’s location overlooking Washington, D.C., adds to its solemn beauty and national significance.
2. Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Location: Los Angeles, CA 90038
Address: 6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Starts around $12,000, with private mausoleums costing up to $500,000.
Commentary: Hollywood Forever is where stars are laid to rest, making it one of the most glamorous cemeteries in the world. From the resting places of silent film icons like Rudolph Valentino to modern stars like Judy Garland, the cemetery offers a glimpse into Hollywood’s past. It’s not just a burial site—it’s also a venue for cultural events, such as outdoor movie screenings, blending history with L.A.’s entertainment scene.
3. Green-Wood Cemetery
Location: Brooklyn, NY 11232
Address: 500 25th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Starts at $19,000 for a single plot.
Commentary: Founded in 1838, Green-Wood was one of the first rural cemeteries in America, designed to offer park-like serenity within the city. It is a National Historic Landmark, renowned for its stunning Gothic Revival architecture, lush greenery, and spectacular views of Manhattan. Artists, politicians, and cultural figures such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Leonard Bernstein are buried here, making it a cemetery that appeals to both nature lovers and history buffs.
4. Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Location: Glendale, CA 91205
Address: 1712 S Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91205
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Burial plots start at $18,000, with private family mausoleums costing up to $1 million.
Commentary: Known for its immaculate grounds, Forest Lawn Memorial Park feels more like an open-air art museum than a cemetery. The cemetery is home to replicas of famous artworks and monuments, including Michelangelo’s David. Its celebrity residents, such as Walt Disney and Michael Jackson, add a layer of intrigue. Forest Lawn seamlessly blends beauty, culture, and history, making it one of the most sought-after final resting places in Southern California.
5. Mount Auburn Cemetery
Location: Cambridge, MA 02138
Address: 580 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Plots start around $10,000.
Commentary: Established in 1831, Mount Auburn Cemetery is widely considered the first garden cemetery in the U.S. It pioneered the idea of combining a burial ground with beautifully landscaped gardens. Its serene environment, featuring rolling hills, woodlands, and ponds, provides a peaceful space for reflection. The cemetery is also the final resting place of many notable figures, including poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and abolitionist Charles Sumner, making it an attraction for both tourists and historians.
6. Bonaventure Cemetery
Location: Savannah, GA 31404
Address: 330 Bonaventure Rd, Savannah, GA 31404
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Plots start around $4,000.
Commentary: Bonaventure Cemetery, with its oak trees draped in Spanish moss, exudes classic Southern Gothic beauty. Its serene, picturesque setting along the Wilmington River makes it a must-see for visitors to Savannah. The cemetery is best known for its appearance in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which helped elevate its fame. With elaborate Victorian tombs and a sense of timelessness, Bonaventure captures the spirit of Savannah’s rich history and cultural legacy.
7. Cave Hill Cemetery
Location: Louisville, KY 40204
Address: 701 Baxter Ave, Louisville, KY 40204
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Plots start around $3,000.
Commentary: Cave Hill Cemetery is a peaceful Victorian garden cemetery known for its picturesque landscapes and historical significance. The cemetery is also an arboretum, featuring hundreds of species of trees and plants. Notable figures buried here include boxing legend Muhammad Ali and fast-food pioneer Colonel Sanders. With its blend of nature, history, and beautifully crafted monuments, Cave Hill is more than just a final resting place—it’s a testament to Louisville’s past and present.
8. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Location: Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
Address: 540 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Plots start at $8,000.
Commentary: Set against the backdrop of the Hudson River Valley, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is famous for its connection to Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The author himself is buried here, making it a pilgrimage site for literary fans. The cemetery’s hilly, wooded setting adds an aura of mystery, while its old gravestones and mausoleums contribute to its charm. Sleepy Hollow offers a glimpse into both the folklore and history of the region, making it a fascinating place to visit and reflect.
9. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
Location: New Orleans, LA 70112
Address: 425 Basin St, New Orleans, LA 70112
Can You Buy a Grave? No, limited to family members of those already interred.
Pricing: Not available to the public.
Commentary: As one of the oldest cemeteries in New Orleans, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is famous for its above-ground crypts and rich Creole heritage. The cemetery is the final resting place of the legendary voodoo priestess Marie Laveau, making it a place of intrigue and mystery. The unique burial practices in the city’s oldest “City of the Dead” reflect the blend of cultures that have shaped New Orleans. While not open for new graves, visitors can take guided tours to explore its fascinating history.
10. Woodlawn Cemetery
Location: Bronx, NY 10470
Address: 4199 Webster Ave, Bronx, NY 10470
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Plots start around $14,000.
Commentary: Woodlawn Cemetery is one of the most significant cemeteries in New York, known for its grand mausoleums and elaborate memorials. It is a National Historic Landmark and serves as the final resting place of many famous figures, including musicians Duke Ellington and Miles Davis, and writer Herman Melville. The cemetery’s carefully landscaped grounds and impressive monuments make it a
destination for those interested in both history and art. With a diverse range of burials, Woodlawn represents a cross-section of New York’s cultural heritage.
11. Père Lachaise Cemetery (New Orleans, LA)
Location: New Orleans, LA 70112
Address: Basin St, New Orleans, LA 70112
Can You Buy a Grave? No, only family members of those already buried may be interred.
Pricing: Not open to the public.
Commentary: Known for its above-ground crypts and French-inspired architecture, this cemetery reflects the rich cultural blend of New Orleans. Though it shares a name with Paris’s famous cemetery, it embodies the unique burial traditions of the city, creating a distinct, atmospheric resting place.
12. Oakland Cemetery
Location: Atlanta, GA 30312
Address: 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Plots start at $5,000.
Commentary: Oakland Cemetery is a sprawling Victorian garden cemetery that blends history and nature, offering a serene final resting place for both Confederate soldiers and Atlanta luminaries. Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone with the Wind, is buried here, along with numerous Civil War soldiers. The cemetery’s beautiful sculptures and architecture make it a place to learn about the city’s past while enjoying the peaceful surroundings.
13. Congressional Cemetery
Location: Washington, D.C. 20003
Address: 1801 E St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Plots start at $4,000.
Commentary: Congressional Cemetery, located on Capitol Hill, is the final resting place for hundreds of members of Congress. The cemetery also serves as a place of memorial for many other prominent figures from U.S. history, including J. Edgar Hoover. With its rich history and frequent community events, this cemetery is both a significant landmark and a gathering space for Washington’s past and present.
14. Lake View Cemetery
Location: Cleveland, OH 44106
Address: 12316 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Plots start at $2,000.
Commentary: Lake View Cemetery is home to the magnificent James A. Garfield Memorial, honoring the 20th U.S. president. This beautiful garden cemetery is also the resting place of industrialist John D. Rockefeller and other prominent Cleveland figures. Its rolling hills and artistic memorials make it an appealing place to explore both history and nature.
15. Laurel Hill Cemetery
Location: Philadelphia, PA 19132
Address: 3822 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19132
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Plots start around $4,000.
Commentary: Overlooking the Schuylkill River, Laurel Hill Cemetery is known for its Victorian monuments and elaborate sculptures, which make it one of Philadelphia’s most beautiful burial sites. It has been designated a National Historic Landmark and offers sweeping views of the city, alongside fascinating history. With famous burials such as Civil War generals and Titanic passengers, it’s a peaceful yet intriguing stop for history enthusiasts.
16. Rose Hill Cemetery
Location: Macon, GA 31204
Address: 1071 Riverside Dr, Macon, GA 31204
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Plots start at $1,500.
Commentary: Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon is famous for being the final resting place of Southern rock legends, including members of The Allman Brothers Band, Duane Allman, and Berry Oakley. Located on a scenic bluff above the Ocmulgee River, it is a peaceful, wooded site steeped in local history and natural beauty. The graves of musical legends attract fans and visitors to this quiet but meaningful spot in Georgia’s landscape.
17. Cypress Lawn Memorial Park
Location: Colma, CA 94014
Address: 1370 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Plots start around $12,000.
Commentary: Known as the “City of the Dead,” Colma has more people resting beneath the ground than living on the surface. Cypress Lawn Memorial Park is home to beautifully landscaped grounds and the resting place of many of California’s early elites, including the Crocker family and Levi Strauss. The cemetery’s lush gardens and monumental sculptures make it a serene and reflective place to explore.
18. Metairie Cemetery
Location: New Orleans, LA 70124
Address: 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70124
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Plots start around $8,000.
Commentary: Metairie Cemetery is one of the most elaborate cemeteries in New Orleans, known for its towering mausoleums and grand family tombs. The cemetery reflects the wealth and architectural grandeur of New Orleans’ past, with some of the most notable families and individuals interred here. Visitors come to admire the beautiful craftsmanship of the tombs and to learn about the city’s unique burial traditions.
19. Evergreen Cemetery
Location: Portland, ME 04103
Address: 672 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME 04103
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Plots start at $2,000.
Commentary: Evergreen Cemetery in Portland is known for its beautiful landscape, with ponds, wooded paths, and well-manicured gardens. Established in 1852, it is one of Maine’s largest and most historically significant cemeteries. Several of Maine’s governors and notable figures are buried here, making it a peaceful retreat for those interested in local history.
20. Bellefontaine Cemetery
Location: St. Louis, MO 63115
Address: 4947 W Florissant Ave, St. Louis, MO 63115
Can You Buy a Grave? Yes, available to the public.
Pricing: Plots start at $4,000.
Commentary: Bellefontaine Cemetery is a sprawling garden cemetery known for its stunning monuments, grand mausoleums, and historical significance. Many of St. Louis’ elite, including beer baron Adolphus Busch and explorer William Clark, are buried here. Its park-like setting and historical graves make Bellefontaine one of the city’s most revered and beautiful cemeteries, offering a peaceful place to reflect on the past.
This top 20 list includes some of the most prestigious, historically significant, and visually stunning cemeteries in the U.S. Whether you’re drawn to them for their beauty, history, or cultural significance, these cemeteries offer more than just a final resting place—they offer a connection to the stories of the people who shaped America.
