Celebrity deaths often shock and sadden people across the world. For many people who respected and followed these famous people, visiting their resting place is important to pay tribute. Historical and cultural figures can significantly impact and inspire whole generations, and visiting a grave is a great way of reflecting on the effect someone had on those still living.
Here we look at some celebrity graves, in the UK and abroad, that many people visit to pay their respects.
Princess Diana, Althorp – Northamptonshire
The death of Princess Diana in 1997 caused national mourning. Buckingham palace was swamped with flowers and tributes, and the heartbreak of losing ‘the people’s princess was felt worldwide. Diana’s grave is on an island in Althorp that isn’t accessible to the public, but the public can visit a memorial built for her beside the lake there.
Elvis Presley – Graceland, Memphis
Elvis’s grave is one of the most visited in the world. Every year, more than 600,000 fans come to pay tribute to ‘The King’. The grave sits in The Meditation Garden in Graceland, alongside that of his family members. Fans visit and leave flowers, say prayers and sing songs.
Oscar Wilde – Père Lachaise, Paris
Père La Chaise cemetery in Paris is a beautiful gothic location and is also home to many famous graves in Europe. Oscar Wilde’s grave features a winged figure in flight, and many pilgrims visit, leaving lipstick kisses and roses. The grave now has a glass casing that prevents vandalism.
Sir Isaac Newton – Westminster Abbey, London
Sir Isaac Newton was a historically influential scientist. His tomb is made from marble, and there is a sculpture of him beneath a globe, leaning on a mound of science books. Newton’s grave joins many iconic British figures in Westminster Abbey, including Elizabeth I and Charles Dickens.
William Shakespeare – Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
Shakespeare is one of Britain’s most famous and adored poets and playwrights. His resting place is in his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon, with words on the gravestone that are now very worn. A sign tells visitors what it says, and thousands pay their respect yearly.
Marilyn Monroe – Westwood Memorial Park, Los Angeles
Marilyn was a silver screen icon and tragically died at just 36 years old in 1962. Her final resting place is a wall vault in Westwood Village Memorial Park. Thousands of people still visit, leaving lipstick kisses and flowers.
John F. Kennedy – Arlington
John F. Kennedy is buried next to his wife, Jaqueline and their children, who both died at or shortly after birth. JFK’s grave features an eternal flame that continuously burns for the president in Arlington National Cemetery.
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