People who pay “big bucks” to be buried near celebrities

On my walk through Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx last year, I made a point of visiting the renowned Jazz Corner. There I found the grave of Miles Davis, along with the final resting places of several other legendary jazz musicians. It was one of the most memorable parts of my visit.

A recent New York Post article highlighted an intriguing trend: people pre-planning their burials are specifically seeking plots near the graves of cultural icons such as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Celia Cruz, and other celebrated figures. One couple reportedly paid a premium for a plot in Woodlawn’s jazz section because they liked the idea that people would continue to visit the area for generations to come.

The demand is so strong that buyers often reserve these spaces years, even decades, before they are needed. In another striking example, a lifelong Marilyn Monroe admirer paid $195,000 for a one-space mausoleum crypt near the actress’s final resting place at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles.

As one funeral industry professional explained, “Some feel being near a famous figure can raise their status. For others, it offers a personal connection to someone they admired and never had the opportunity to meet. In a sense, it’s a form of immortality without becoming a vampire.”

What celebrity or well known figure would you like to rest beside? You better start looking soon because there might not be any room in the neighbourhood.