We all know that Halloween is already over. However, dead celebrities never fail to tickle our absurd fascination and curiosity about the life that they lived. The grasping of interest becomes too unbearable, that we somehow harness a sense of disbelief and ought to visit the gravesite to see for ourselves that they’re indeed gone.
As a result, cemeteries suddenly become a hub for tourists, willing to travel elsewhere just to get a glimpse of the famed personality’s last resting place. It may be the aesthetics of today’s mausoleums – thanks to the advancement of power tools and diamond blades – that added to the already dazzling life story of these stars, that even in death, they’re still considered … Or maybe they’re just plain famous and influential. (Too bad, some of them are in pretty bad shape.)
Here are the 10 most visited celebrity gravesites in no particular order
Jim Morrison – 1943-1971
Gravesite: Pere-Lachaise Cemetery, Paris
Arguably the most visited celebrity gravesite, Jim Morrison’s resting place flashes an absurd irony of respect and well-appreciated nod for his contributions in music. The usual flowers and candles are often overshadowed by vandalism and often mistreatment of visitors and casual loiterers. The Lizard King’s gravesite has undergone a few transformations, including bust of the famed The Doors vocalist, which has been eventually defaced and stolen in the 80s... Twice!
Michael Jackson – 1958-2009
Gravesite: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale
A well-deserved resting place for a King, Michael Jackson’s remains gravesite in Forest Lawn Glendale exudes elegance. And even afterlife, he still considered royalty. His body is entombed inside the cemetery’s luxurious and highly-guarded, Great Mausoleum, where he shares the VIP spot with other famed personalities, including fellow celebrity and friend, Elizabeth Taylor.
Elvis Presley – 1935-1977
Gravesite: Graceland, Memphis
Another King worthy of royal resting place. After his shocking death, Elvis Presley was initially buried in Forest Hills Cemetery in Memphis. But after attempts of stealing the king’s body, his family decided to transfer his remains to a place that’s very close to his heart… In Graceland. It may have been close to 40 years since the king has “left the building”, but a constant pack of 500,000 die hard fans still visit him annually.
Merv Griffin – 1925-2007
Gravesite: Westwood Memorial Park, Brentwood
TV veteran, Merv Griffin may not be as “big” as the others listed on this article, but he sure did made one last attempt of reassuring laugh. His headstone reads, “I WILL NOT BE BACK AFTER THIS MESSAGE.”, which is a simple knack to his usual spiel just before going on a commercial break. Merv’s gravesite is one of the most visited gravesites in Westwood Memorial, alongside Marilyn Monroe, Frank Zappa, Bette Page, Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon among others.
Ian Curtis – 1956-1980
Gravesite: Macclesfield Cemetery
Ian Curtis was one of rock’s most flamboyant vocalists that have gone too soon. After watching a Hezrog film and listening to Iggy Pop’s The Idiot, Ian decided to cut his life short, merely out of desperation to break loose. The Joy Division vocalist’s remains was cremated and buried in Masclefield Cemetery. His marker reads, “18-5-80 Love Will Tear Us Apart” as chosen by his wife, Deborah. In 2008, the marker was stolen, and was eventually replaced a month after.
Bruce Lee – 1940-1973
Gravesite: Lakeview Cemetery, Seattle
Bruce Lee shocked the world with his untimely death in 1973 due to allergic reaction from painkillers. His interment was attended by thousands of fans, friends, colleagues and other celebrities. His body was then returned to his wife, Linda’s hometown in Seattle. He was laid to rest in Lakeview Cemetery. The gravesite still attracts frequent visitors, most of them fans of the famed martial artist.
Marilyn Monroe – 1926-1962
Gravesite: Westwood Memorial Park, Brentwood
The sexiest woman of all-time was entombed in Westwood Memorial Park, as arranged by her second husband, Joe DiMaggio, as the bombshell’s foster parents was also laid to rest in the same cemetery. Monroe’s crypt is one of the most visited gravesites in Westwood Memorial, and it has said to be one of the most discolored and unhygienic due to frequent touching and kissing of the marker.
Johnny Cash – 1932-2003
Gravesite: Hendersonville Memory Garden, Tennessee
Legendary musician, Johnny Cash died of complications due to diabetes on Spetember 12, 2003. He was then laid to rest next to his beloved wife, June Carter, whom had died just for months prior. Their black granite headstone carries both their surnames, accompanied by famous lines from their respective hits, “Walk the Line” and “Wildwood Flower”. Fans frequently visit the site to pay their respects to the “Man in Black” and his lady.
John Dillinger – 1903-1934
Gravesite: Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis
John Dillinger may have been one of the untouchables back in his crime spree day, until he was shot in a nearby movie house in Chicago. That vulnerability still haunts the acclaimed bank robber from the day he was killed up to now. His funeral was attended by many spectators, all of whom wanted to get a hand of virtually any souvenir they could grab on at the gravesite. Today, John Dilinger’s marker was the forth replacement, still enduring torture from souvenir-crazed visitors.
John Bellushi – 1949-1982
Gravesite: Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
“I may have gone, but Rock and Roll lives on.” Indeed, John Bellushi was a rock and roll kind of comedy guy… And apparently, so did his fans. His gravesite at Martha’s Vineyard was constantly vandalized and trashed by fans visiting the Blues Brothers star. The recurring incident went too far, that his family and relatives decided to exhume his body and transfer it in an undisclosed location.
Did I miss something? Feel free to leave a comment. Let’s discuss more!
As a result, cemeteries suddenly become a hub for tourists, willing to travel elsewhere just to get a glimpse of the famed personality’s last resting place. It may be the aesthetics of today’s mausoleums – thanks to the advancement of power tools and diamond blades – that added to the already dazzling life story of these stars, that even in death, they’re still considered … Or maybe they’re just plain famous and influential. (Too bad, some of them are in pretty bad shape.)
Here are the 10 most visited celebrity gravesites in no particular order
Jim Morrison – 1943-1971
Gravesite: Pere-Lachaise Cemetery, Paris
 |
| Photo Courtesy: cemeteryguide.com |
Arguably the most visited celebrity gravesite, Jim Morrison’s resting place flashes an absurd irony of respect and well-appreciated nod for his contributions in music. The usual flowers and candles are often overshadowed by vandalism and often mistreatment of visitors and casual loiterers. The Lizard King’s gravesite has undergone a few transformations, including bust of the famed The Doors vocalist, which has been eventually defaced and stolen in the 80s... Twice!
Michael Jackson – 1958-2009
Gravesite: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale
 |
| Photo Courtesy: death2ur.com |
A well-deserved resting place for a King, Michael Jackson’s remains gravesite in Forest Lawn Glendale exudes elegance. And even afterlife, he still considered royalty. His body is entombed inside the cemetery’s luxurious and highly-guarded, Great Mausoleum, where he shares the VIP spot with other famed personalities, including fellow celebrity and friend, Elizabeth Taylor.
Elvis Presley – 1935-1977
Gravesite: Graceland, Memphis
 |
| Photo Courtesy: Jan Kronsell via commons.wikipedia.com |
Another King worthy of royal resting place. After his shocking death, Elvis Presley was initially buried in Forest Hills Cemetery in Memphis. But after attempts of stealing the king’s body, his family decided to transfer his remains to a place that’s very close to his heart… In Graceland. It may have been close to 40 years since the king has “left the building”, but a constant pack of 500,000 die hard fans still visit him annually.
Merv Griffin – 1925-2007
Gravesite: Westwood Memorial Park, Brentwood
 |
| Photo Courtesy: seeingstars.com |
TV veteran, Merv Griffin may not be as “big” as the others listed on this article, but he sure did made one last attempt of reassuring laugh. His headstone reads, “I WILL NOT BE BACK AFTER THIS MESSAGE.”, which is a simple knack to his usual spiel just before going on a commercial break. Merv’s gravesite is one of the most visited gravesites in Westwood Memorial, alongside Marilyn Monroe, Frank Zappa, Bette Page, Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon among others.
Ian Curtis – 1956-1980
Gravesite: Macclesfield Cemetery
 |
| Photo Courtesy: jonmwessel.wordpress.com |
Ian Curtis was one of rock’s most flamboyant vocalists that have gone too soon. After watching a Hezrog film and listening to Iggy Pop’s The Idiot, Ian decided to cut his life short, merely out of desperation to break loose. The Joy Division vocalist’s remains was cremated and buried in Masclefield Cemetery. His marker reads, “18-5-80 Love Will Tear Us Apart” as chosen by his wife, Deborah. In 2008, the marker was stolen, and was eventually replaced a month after.
Bruce Lee – 1940-1973
Gravesite: Lakeview Cemetery, Seattle
 |
| Photo Courtesy: melancholyblues via commons.wikipedia.com |
Bruce Lee shocked the world with his untimely death in 1973 due to allergic reaction from painkillers. His interment was attended by thousands of fans, friends, colleagues and other celebrities. His body was then returned to his wife, Linda’s hometown in Seattle. He was laid to rest in Lakeview Cemetery. The gravesite still attracts frequent visitors, most of them fans of the famed martial artist.
Marilyn Monroe – 1926-1962
Gravesite: Westwood Memorial Park, Brentwood
 |
| Photo Courtesy: A. J. Marik via findagrave.com |
The sexiest woman of all-time was entombed in Westwood Memorial Park, as arranged by her second husband, Joe DiMaggio, as the bombshell’s foster parents was also laid to rest in the same cemetery. Monroe’s crypt is one of the most visited gravesites in Westwood Memorial, and it has said to be one of the most discolored and unhygienic due to frequent touching and kissing of the marker.
Johnny Cash – 1932-2003
Gravesite: Hendersonville Memory Garden, Tennessee
 |
| Photo courtesy: death2ur.com |
Legendary musician, Johnny Cash died of complications due to diabetes on Spetember 12, 2003. He was then laid to rest next to his beloved wife, June Carter, whom had died just for months prior. Their black granite headstone carries both their surnames, accompanied by famous lines from their respective hits, “Walk the Line” and “Wildwood Flower”. Fans frequently visit the site to pay their respects to the “Man in Black” and his lady.
John Dillinger – 1903-1934
Gravesite: Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis
 |
| Photo courtesy: Sean McKim via findagrave.com |
John Dillinger may have been one of the untouchables back in his crime spree day, until he was shot in a nearby movie house in Chicago. That vulnerability still haunts the acclaimed bank robber from the day he was killed up to now. His funeral was attended by many spectators, all of whom wanted to get a hand of virtually any souvenir they could grab on at the gravesite. Today, John Dilinger’s marker was the forth replacement, still enduring torture from souvenir-crazed visitors.
John Bellushi – 1949-1982
Gravesite: Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
 |
| Photo courtesy: Randy McCoy via findagrave.com |
“I may have gone, but Rock and Roll lives on.” Indeed, John Bellushi was a rock and roll kind of comedy guy… And apparently, so did his fans. His gravesite at Martha’s Vineyard was constantly vandalized and trashed by fans visiting the Blues Brothers star. The recurring incident went too far, that his family and relatives decided to exhume his body and transfer it in an undisclosed location.
Did I miss something? Feel free to leave a comment. Let’s discuss more!
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