Sunshine, palm trees, and attractive people – all things people probably think of when you mention Los Angeles.

But one of the more unique aspects of the City of Angels that is often overlooked is the number of beautiful and extravagant cemeteries, mausoleums, and headstones in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Headstones and Graves of the Rich and Famous

Los Angeles is home to many of the country’s most beloved celebrities – both living and dead. And in typical Hollywood and Los Angeles fashion, some of these stars are buried in some of the most beautiful locations with monuments dedicated to their fame and success.

So, if you’re ready to scout out sites for your final resting place, or simply want some inspiration for your custom epitaph, here are four cemeteries with gravesites and headstones in Los Angeles you won’t want to miss.

1. Forest Lawn Memorial Park

With properties across Southern California, the Glendale and Hollywood Hills locations of Forest Lawn Memorial Park are the most well-known. These sites feature beautiful rolling hills and rows of elegant headstones flush to the ground that you’d expect at a tradition cemetery. However, the grounds also include a world-class art museum, statues, the famous Hall of the Crucifixion-Resurrection – which Forest Lawn says is home to two of the largest religious paintings in the western hemisphere.

Celebrities resting at Forest Lawn include Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, Sammy Davis Jr., and Walt Disney, just to name a few. But good luck finding them. The cemetery treats all tenants equally, and does not reveal where its celebrities are laid to rest.

2. Hollywood Forever

As the name suggests, Hollywood Forever is located in Hollywood, right next to Paramount Studios. It offers a fantastic view of the iconic Hollywood sign throughout the cemetery. The property claims to be the final resting place to more of Hollywood’s founders and stars than anywhere else on the planet.

Some of the stars buried at Hollywood Forever include punk rocker Johnny Ramone, silent film stars Rudolph Valentino and Douglas Fairbanks Sr., and Mel Blanc (the voice of Porky Pig), whose headstone reads, “That’s all folks.”

3. Westwood Village Memorial Park

Westwood Village Memorial Park is more than 100 years old and is located in the middle of one of the city’s most upscale and wealthiest neighborhoods – in between Beverly Hills and the 405, and just south of UCLA. The grounds feature lush gardens and trees, along with a chapel that designers say reflects the overall beautiful of the property.

Frommer’s lists Westwood Village Memorial Park as one of its top cemeteries to visit to see celebrity gravesites and headstones in Los Angeles. Stars located in Westwood include Marilyn Monroe (in a nondescript wall crypt), Truman Capote, Dean Martin, Merv Griffin, and the Odd Couple – Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon.

4. Holy Cross Cemetery

Frommer’s also names Holy Cross Cemetery as a popular destination. Located in Culver City and with views of Santa Monica Bay and nearby mountain vistas, this Catholic cemetery features ponds, brooks, a waterfall, shrines, and lush gardens.

The property will hand out maps to stars’ graves and headstones. Here you’ll find Bing Crosby and John Candy, plus the actors who played the Tin Man and Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz.

Variety is the Spice of Afterlife

After visiting these beautiful cemeteries, you probably noticed quite a bit of variety among the headstones and gravesites – ranging from magnificent monuments to modest markers. You have the same options when you are planning your custom headstones. Using our simple online ordering tool, you are able to customize the look, design, and message for which you or your loved ones be remembered.

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Because of the important purpose they serve, a lot of work goes into making a headstone. Grave markers have historically been created in specialty locations, with the buyer traveling to provide input to the designer.

Getting a custom headstone is much easier with our online designer. The first of its kind, our system allows individuals to retain their privacy and create a headstone at their discretion. People can work at their own pace and save time by designing a custom headstone online rather than in person.

The Meaning Behind Custom Headstones

Headstones are more than just grave markers. Many people think of them as tributes, monuments that can commemorate the life of a loved one who has passed on.

A Headstone can contain quotes, pictures, and biographic information about a person. Some are more extravagant, while others are simple. There is no right or wrong style for a headstone, and some people may want something out of the ordinary.

Whether you’re designing a headstone for someone based on a design they specifically requested, or you have your own ideas, our online designer makes it easy to create respectful grave markers.

Designing and Ordering Custom Headstones Online

Headstones aren’t something anyone likes to think about purchasing. But after the passing of a loved one, one of the difficult tasks that takes place is the creation of a headstone.

Custom headstones are available from many designers, but this process has always required visiting a physical location and work with a creator personally. Not only can this be costly and time consuming – especially for someone who is also trying to manage other funeral proceedings – but it can be very emotionally draining.

Thanks to our online creator and store, users can now design a headstone according to their own specifications and order them with ease. Our headstone design system is the first of its kind, changing the way people look at the design process.

This option can’t be found anywhere else – working with us makes it simple to create a loving tribute for a deceased person and honor their memory with a beautiful headstone.

Create Custom Headstones Without the Hassle

The cost of creating a custom headstone is often associated with how much a person must work directly with a designer. Traveling to and from the location where grave markers are designed presents costs as well, and it can also take up a lot of time.

This is especially true if a person must make multiple trips to get the design they want. Since plans may change during the proceedings for a deceased individual, having access to the design to change it is very valuable. This is one of the many advantages of creating a custom design online.

The grieving period is something that everyone must go through to some degree when a loved one passes. While creating a custom headstone online won’t take the pain away, it will provide you with the ability to maintain your privacy as you design a custom grave marker for a loved one who has passed on.

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