Los Angeles, California
Marilyn Monroe's Crypt: The Enduring Shrine of a Hollywood Icon
Los Angeles, California, United States
By the Wicked Cool Places editors · Published
Why it’s cool
This modest cemetery transformed into a star-studded landmark because of one woman. Fans still visit the wall of crypts to leave lipstick-stained tributes to the screen icon.
Norma Jeane Mortenson began her life in obscurity, but she was laid to rest as Marilyn Monroe, the world's most recognizable star. When she died in August 1962, her former husband Joe DiMaggio took charge of the arrangements.
He wanted a quiet, dignified farewell away from the prying eyes of the film industry he blamed for her early death. He chose Westwood Village Memorial Cemetery because it held the remains of the women who had raised and cared for her during her difficult childhood.
What was once a secluded corner of Los Angeles soon became a destination for millions of grieving fans.
Why It Stands Out
The cemetery transitioned from a quiet family plot to a legendary celebrity enclave because of Monroe's presence. While she rests in a simple wall of above-ground tombs on the western edge of the grounds, her neighbors are now a roster of Hollywood royalty.
Other film icons are interred in similar settings nearby at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Names like Dean Martin, Ray Bradbury, and Truman Capote are found nearby.
Perhaps most notably, Hugh Hefner purchased the space directly next to her decades after her death. He wanted to spend eternity beside the woman who graced the first cover of his magazine.
The physical state of the crypt itself tells the story of her enduring legacy. For two decades, DiMaggio ensured fresh roses arrived at the site three times every week.
Today, the marble is noticeably darker than the surrounding stones. This discoloration comes from thousands of fans who press their lips to the cold stone, leaving behind a permanent layer of lipstick marks.
It is a tactile, intimate form of mourning that persists more than sixty years after her passing.
Before You Go
The site is easy to locate within the western complex of tombs. The inscription is famously brief, listing only her stage name and the years 1926 to 1962.
If you visit on June 1 or August 5, you will likely encounter organized memorial services marking her birth and death. While the cemetery is the final home for many famous figures, it remains a place of active mourning.
This atmosphere of remembrance is shared by the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Visitors should remain respectful of the quiet atmosphere and other families visiting their loved ones.
Questions worth answering
Why is the stone a different color than the others?
Decades of visitors have left lipstick marks on the marble. These tributes from thousands of fans created a permanent stain that sets her tomb apart from the rest.
Who else is buried in this area?
The grounds hold several famous figures like Dean Martin and Truman Capote. Hugh Hefner even bought the spot right next to her so he could be buried there too.
Are there specific days when the site gets crowded?
People gather for memorial services on June 1 and August 5. These dates mark her birth and the day she died.
What does the inscription on the crypt say?
The text is very short. Just the name she performed under, then 1926 and 1962.
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