Where are history’s most famous people buried?

Memorial from Elvis Presley to William Shakespeare

European graveyards are full of really cool historical figures if you’re into being a "Tombstone Tourist". They’re also an entertaining alternative to visiting another museum or church.

Westminster Abbey –about 3,300 buried and yes…you too can be buried here (ashes only). Famous people buried here include seventeen British monarchs including King Henry V and all the Tudors except for Henry VIII, Sir Isaac Newton, Geoffrey Chaucer, Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, Stephen Hawking, George Frederic Handel, Elizabeth I, Laurence Olivier, Rudyard Kipling, Thomas Hardy

Cimitiere Pere-Lachaise – Yes, Jim Morrison of the Doors is buried here. So too, is Honoré de Balzac, Guillaume Apollinaire, Frédéric Chopin, Colette, Jean-François Champollion, Jean de La Fontaine, Molière, Yves Montand, Simone Signoret, Alfred de Musset, Edith Piaf, Camille Pissarro and Oscar Wilde

Cimitiere Montparnasse– famous people buried there includes Charles Baudelaire, Guy de Maupassant, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, Charles Garnier

Cimitere Montmartre – famous people buried there includes Stendhal, Émile Zola, Gustave Moreau, Berlioz, Sacha Guitry and even Dalida, whose grave is the most visited and has the most flowers.

Pantheon in Paris -Located on the left bank area in the Latin Quarter, houses the Who’s Who in French history including 77 great French notables including Voltaire, Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Emile Zola, Jaures, Jean Moulin, Louis Braille

St. Denis Cathedral just north of Paris – houses the bodies of most of the kings and queens of France including Marie Antoinette, Catherine de Medici, Henry II, Charles V, Louis XII, Louis XVI, and Philip IV

The Vienna Central Cemetery – famous people buried there includes Johannes Brahms, Franz Schubert, Johann Strauss, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Arnold Schonberg

History’s most famous people are buried in locations that have become pilgrimage sites for those wishing to pay their respects or simply explore the legacy of these iconic figures. Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, rests at Graceland, his birthplace and final resting place in Memphis, Tennessee. Graceland has become one of the world's most famous grave sites, drawing fans and tourists from across the globe to visit the grave situated in the Meditation Garden, where visitors can reflect on the life and legacy of this famous celebrity. The actual grave, along with those of his family members, marks a spot of eternal memory for the star whose music and charisma continue to captivate audiences.

Forest Lawn Memorial Park in California is another renowned resting place, home to the graves of numerous historical figures and celebrities, including Frank Sinatra and Brandon Lee. This cemetery is known for its beautiful art and tranquil settings, making it a popular site for those visiting famous graves. The actual grave of Sinatra, buried next to his parents, is a testament to his enduring legacy as one of the most influential musical artists of the 20th century. Likewise, the gravesite of Brandon Lee, placed beside his father, martial arts legend Bruce Lee, in Lake View Cemetery in Seattle, has become a significant point of interest for fans wishing to honor the memory of the father-son duo who left an indelible mark on cinema and martial arts.

Over in Paris, Père Lachaise Cemetery stands as one of the world’s most visited burial sites, housing the remains of many notable personalities including Oscar Wilde, whose grave is famous not only for its historical significance but also for the tradition of leaving a kiss on its surface. Similarly, the gravesite of Princess Diana, located on the grounds of the Spencer family estate, remains a site of mourning and remembrance for fans and admirers of the beloved princess. These sites serve as a reminder of the lives and contributions of those buried within, drawing thousands each year to explore and pay homage.

In the UK, the final resting place of William Shakespeare in the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon carries the famous inscription, "Good friend, for Jesus' sake forbear, To dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed be the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones." This grave site attracts literature enthusiasts eager to connect with the Bard's legacy. Similarly, Sir Isaac Newton's burial at Westminster Abbey among other famous historical figures highlights the reverence held for one of science's greatest minds. Visiting these famous graves allows individuals to feel a connection to these historical figures, bridging the gap between past and present.

Bob Marley, the king of reggae, rests in a mausoleum in Nine Mile, Jamaica, a site that draws thousands of visitors each year, paying homage to a man whose music changed the course of history. Years after his death, Marley’s gravesite remains one of the most visited, where fans can pay their respects to the famous son of Jamaica, buried with his guitar, symbolizing his lasting legacy. The mausoleum, a place of reverence and celebration, allows visitors to connect with Marley’s spirit, reflecting on the profound impact of his music and philosophy on the world.

In the heart of Seattle at Lake View Cemetery, Bruce Lee’s grave continues to attract admirers from all over the globe, solidifying his status as a martial arts legend and cultural icon. Buried next to his son, Brandon, who suffered a tragic death in 1997, the site is visited by around thousands of visitors a year, who come to honor the father and son duo that left an indelible mark on film and martial arts. The graves are simple yet profound, echoing the philosophy Bruce Lee lived by, and remain a place of inspiration for fans and practitioners of martial arts.

Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles is the final resting place of numerous celebrities, including the famous first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. Hefner famously bought the tomb next door to Marilyn Monroe, one of the most visited celebrity graves, known for the red lipstick kiss marks left by fans. This cemetery, nestled in one of the most prestigious parts of LA, is an eternal home to some of the most iconic figures in entertainment and politics, drawing thousands of visitors looking to connect with the stars of the past.

The graves of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien and his wife, Edith, in Wolvercote Cemetery in Oxford, England, bear the names Lúthien and Beren, characters from his Middle-earth legendarium, symbolizing their timeless love. Tolkien, whose works have captivated millions, is remembered not just as the father of modern fantasy literature but as a man whose imagination brought to life worlds that have become a sanctuary for readers. The grave is a pilgrimage site for fans of "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit," who visit to pay tribute to one of the most famous artists and storytellers, whose tales of courage, friendship, and perseverance continue to inspire generations.

These burial sites, from Bob Marley’s mausoleum in Jamaica to the graves of Bruce Lee, famous celebrities in Westwood Memorial Park, and the final resting place of J.R.R. Tolkien, are not just markers of death but beacons of legacy. They offer a connection to those who, through their art, athleticism, leadership, or imagination, have left an indelible mark on the world. Visiting these sites allows fans and admirers to reflect on the lives of these remarkable individuals and the enduring impact of their contributions to culture and history. From Graceland to Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Père Lachaise, and beyond, the resting places of history's most famous people offer a glimpse into the personal lives behind the public personas, serving as a reminder of their contributions to culture, science, and art. These burial sites, eternally marked by the memories and achievements of those who rest there, continue to draw visitors from around the world, making them some of the most respected and revered locations on the globe.

Other Noteworthy Graves

• Christopher Columbus- tomb lies within the Cathedral in Seville, Spain.
• Vasco de Gama-tomb lies within the Monastery of the Geronimos in Lisbon, Portugal.
• El Cid (Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar), Spain’s very own William Wallace, lies in a floor tomb at the Cathedral in his birthtown of Burgos, Spain.
• Napolean-In 1861, after placing his remains inside a rather lavish tomb, was laid to rest at the Eglise du Dome, part of the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, France.
• Spain’s Catholic Monarchs Isabel and Fernando are buried inside the Capilla Real located adjacent to the Cathedral in Granada.
• Ataturk, the legendary leader and “father of modern Turkey” is buried at the Anit Kabir (Mausoleum), 2 km west of Kizilay in Ankara, Turkey.
• Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI, and Catherine de Medici are all buried inside the St. Denis Cathedral just north of Paris.
• US General George Patton is buried at the American Cementery in Hamm, Luxembourg.