Hollywood Forever Cemetery, at 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard, is free to walk during daytime visiting hours, and it is one of the most rewarding quiet places in Hollywood: a working cemetery founded in 1899 where film pioneers, musicians and studio founders rest beside lakes, palms and mausoleums. Pick up a map at the flower shop near the entrance, check the cemetery's posted hours before you go, and remember that funerals and family visits take priority over sightseeing. In summer it also hosts outdoor film screenings that require tickets.
A short history
The cemetery opened in 1899 as Hollywood Cemetery, before Hollywood was even part of Los Angeles. It was renamed Hollywood Memorial Park in 1939 and took its current name in 1998, when new owners restored grounds that had fallen into neglect. Paramount Pictures sits along its southern edge, on land that once belonged to the cemetery. The cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.
Planning a visit
| Question | What to know |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free entry for daytime visits; special events are ticketed |
| Hours | Posted visiting hours vary by area; the Cathedral Mausoleum keeps shorter hours than the grounds. Confirm on the official site. |
| Map | Available from the flower shop near the main entrance; there may be a small charge |
| Getting there | About a mile south of Hollywood Boulevard; local buses run along Santa Monica Boulevard |
| Parking | Visitors can usually drive in and park along the cemetery's internal roads, away from active services |
| Time needed | One to two hours for the best-known graves |
Notable graves and memorials
The grounds hold hundreds of well-known names. Some of the most visited:
- Rudolph Valentino, the silent-screen idol, in a crypt in the Cathedral Mausoleum area.
- Douglas Fairbanks and Douglas Fairbanks Jr., in a shared tomb with a long reflecting pool, near the lawn used for summer screenings.
- Cecil B. DeMille, director of The King of Kings and The Ten Commandments, in the DeMille family tombs.
- Judy Garland, moved here from New York in 2017.
- Mel Blanc, the voice of many classic cartoon characters, whose headstone reads "That's all folks."
- Hattie McDaniel, the first Black performer to win an Academy Award, honored with a cenotaph dedicated in 1999 after her wish to be buried here was refused in segregated times.
- Johnny Ramone, guitarist of the Ramones, commemorated with a bronze statue.
- Chris Cornell, the Soundgarden singer, whose funeral was held here in 2017.
Locations can be confusing, because some famous names are inside mausoleums and others are on open lawns. The cemetery map helps, and staff at the flower shop can point you in the right direction.
Etiquette
This is an active cemetery with funerals most days. A few rules of thumb:
- Give services space. If you see a gathering, choose another path and keep your voice down. Do not photograph mourners.
- Stay on paths and roads where possible, and do not stand or sit on graves.
- Do not leave or take objects other than flowers you brought. Coins and tokens left on headstones are sometimes cleared away.
- Photography for personal use is generally accepted outdoors, but professional shoots need permission.
- Check rules for pets and picnics before you bring either. Outside of ticketed events, assume a cemetery is not a picnic ground.
Cinespia screenings
Since 2002, the Cinespia series has projected films on summer weekends onto the west wall of the Cathedral Mausoleum, with audiences spreading blankets on the Fairbanks Lawn. The atmosphere mixes picnic, film club and late-night party, and screenings regularly sell out. Tickets are sold through Cinespia's own website; check its calendar for the current season. Bring a blanket, a layer for the cool evening, and low beach chairs only if the rules for that night allow them.
Día de los Muertos
For many years the cemetery has hosted a large Día de los Muertos celebration in late October or around the start of November, with altars, music, dance and art. It draws big crowds and is ticketed. Dates and details change each year, so look for the official announcement in early autumn.
Combining the visit with other stops
The cemetery is a little south of the main tourist strip, which keeps it calm. Walk or take a bus north to the boulevard for the theaters in our guide to Hollywood's historic movie palaces, or pair it with the free sights listed in free things to do in Hollywood. For background on the people buried here and how the film industry grew around them, read how Hollywood began.
Tips for a better visit
- Go on a weekday morning for the quietest grounds and the best light by the lake.
- Bring water and sunscreen; much of the cemetery is open lawn.
- Decide on a short list of graves first, then wander. Trying to see everything gets tiring.
- Check the official site for closures, which can happen for large services or private events.
- Arrive well before closing time; mausoleums may close earlier than the gates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hollywood Forever Cemetery free to visit?
Yes. Walking the grounds during daytime visiting hours is free. Special events such as Cinespia screenings and the Día de los Muertos celebration require tickets.
Which famous people are buried at Hollywood Forever?
Well-known names include Rudolph Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks, Cecil B. DeMille, Judy Garland and Mel Blanc. There are also memorials to Hattie McDaniel and Johnny Ramone.
Can you watch movies at Hollywood Forever Cemetery?
Yes. The Cinespia series has screened films on summer weekends since 2002, projected onto a mausoleum wall. Tickets are sold in advance through Cinespia and often sell out.
Where can I get a map of the cemetery?
Maps are available at the flower shop near the main entrance. Ask staff there if you cannot find a particular grave.
Is it respectful to visit a cemetery as a tourist?
Yes, if you behave as you would at any cemetery. Keep your distance from funerals, stay quiet, stay off graves and do not photograph mourners.