So you want to know where Marilyn Monroe is buried? Honestly, I get asked that a lot. People still make pilgrimages to her grave site decades after her death. It's wild how her legend lives on. Let me walk you through everything about her burial location – not just the address, but the backstory and what you'll actually experience if you go. Because let's face it, visiting a cemetery isn't like hitting up Disneyland.
The Exact Spot: Marilyn Monroe's Grave Location
Marilyn Monroe rests at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. The cemetery is tucked between high-rises near UCLA – you'd miss it if you weren't looking. It's tiny, just one acre, packed with famous names. Marilyn's crypt is in the "Corridor of Memories" section, right off the main walkway. Look for Corridor 24, Crypt 5. Her name on the marble plaque reads "Marilyn Monroe 1926-1962."
I remember my first visit. Expected something grand, but it's surprisingly modest. Fans leave lipstick kisses on the wall beneath her crypt (though staff clean it regularly). There's always fresh flowers – roses mostly. Funny how Joe DiMaggio sent red roses to her crypt weekly for 20 years after her death. Talk about devotion.
Westwood Cemetery Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Address | 1218 Glendon Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024 |
| GPS Coordinates | 34.0588° N, 118.4413° W |
| Sections | Corridor of Memories (Marilyn's area is indoor corridor) |
| Crypt Number | Corridor 24, Crypt 5 (marked with bronze plaque) |
| Nearest Metro | Westwood/UCLA Station (1 mile walk) |
Practical Visiting Details You Need
If you're planning to see where Marilyn Monroe is buried, here's what actually matters for your visit:
Hours and Access
The cemetery gates open daily from 8:00 AM to dusk. No appointments needed – just walk in. But check their website before going; sometimes they close for private events. Early mornings are quietest. Weekends? Forget it. Packed with tourists and UCLA students. Last time I went on Saturday, waited 15 minutes just to approach her crypt.
Cost and Rules
Good news: no entrance fee. But they enforce strict rules:
- No professional photography without permission (phone snaps are ok)
- Food/drinks prohibited inside corridors
- Flowers allowed but remove wrappers
- No sitting on crypts (saw a teen do this – security wasn't happy)
Insider Tip: Parking is brutal. Street parking has 2-hour limits. Better to park in the Broxton Avenue structure ($3/hour) and walk 5 minutes. Trust me, circling blocks for parking makes you hate LA.
Getting There Without Losing Your Mind
| Transport Method | Details | Travel Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) | Drop-off at Glendon Ave entrance | Departs on demand | $15-25 from Hollywood |
| Public Bus | Metro Line 20 stops at Wilshire/Glendon | 45 mins from Downtown LA | $1.75 |
| Driving | Parking garages nearby (rates vary) | Varies by traffic | $3-12/hour |
| Walking | From UCLA campus: 10 mins | 10 minutes | Free |
LA traffic is no joke. Avoid coming between 3-7 PM unless you enjoy brake lights. And don't rely on street parking signs – they're confusing as heck.
Why She's Buried at Westwood
This part always gets me. Marilyn died August 5, 1962. Her ex-husband Joe DiMaggio took charge of arrangements. He chose Westwood because it was private and discreet – unlike Hollywood Forever Cemetery where studios wanted her. Smart move. The press circus at her funeral was insane. Only 30 close friends attended, but hundreds of fans crushed outside the gates.
Her crypt cost $800 back then (about $8,000 today). DiMaggio paid for it. Kinda ironic since they'd divorced years earlier. Rumor has it he threatened to sue anyone who tried to move her body later. The guy was protective till the end.
[Photo: Marilyn Monroe's crypt at Westwood Memorial Park]
Celebrity Neighbors at Westwood Cemetery
Marilyn's burial site shares the grounds with other legends. Worth wandering around if you're already there:
- Dean Martin (Corridor 15) - Crooner extraordinaire
- Natalie Wood (Outside Garden) - Mysterious drowning death
- Burt Lancaster (Corridor 10) - Old Hollywood tough guy
- Roy Orbison (Outside Garden) - "Pretty Woman" singer
Weirdest thing? Hugh Hefner bought the crypt right next to Marilyn in 1992 for $75,000. Creepy or tribute? You decide. He ended up buried elsewhere though.
Visitor Experiences: What People Get Wrong
After talking to dozens of visitors, here's what surprises people:
- Size: It's shockingly small. You could miss the entrance if you blink.
- Atmosphere: Not gloomy – more like a quiet urban garden with tourists whispering.
- Security: Plainclothes guards watch Marilyn's crypt 24/7 due to vandalism attempts.
- Fans: Visitors range from crying elderly women to TikTokers doing dance tributes (ugh).
My advice? Go alone if possible. Group tours ruin the vibe with loud commentary. And that gift shop across the street selling Marilyn snow globes? Tacky as hell.
FAQs: Everything Else You Might Wonder
Can you visit Marilyn Monroe's grave for free?
Absolutely. No tickets or fees. Just walk in during open hours. But donate to cemetery upkeep if you can – they rely on contributions.
Why is Marilyn Monroe buried in a wall crypt?
Westwood has limited space. Above-ground crypts were common in crowded LA cemeteries. Her spot is actually prime real estate – center corridor, eye-level position.
Is there a dress code when visiting her burial site?
No formal rules, but be respectful. Saw a guy in a "Happy Birthday Mr. President" T-shirt once. Cringe. Dress like you're visiting a church, not the beach.
Has Marilyn Monroe's grave ever been moved?
Never. Despite urban legends, her remains stayed put. Security measures increased after multiple grave-robbing attempts in the 80s. Morbid stuff.
Where else has memorials for Marilyn Monroe?
- Hollywood Forever Cemetery: Memorial marker (not burial site)
- Piero's Memorial Columbarium: Contains locks of her hair (controversial)
- Brentwood: Her death house (private residence now)
Personal Recommendations Based on Multiple Visits
Look, cemeteries aren't for everyone. But if you go:
- Bring tissues: Seriously. Even non-fans get emotional seeing all the tributes.
- Combine with Brentwood: Visit her last home at 12305 5th Helena Drive (exterior only) then head to cemetery.
- Skip holidays: Birthdays (June 1) and death anniversaries (August 5) attract huge crowds.
- Read the notes: Touching handwritten letters from fans worldwide get left daily.
One winter morning, I saw an elderly woman singing "Happy Birthday Mr. President" softly at her crypt. Nearly cried. That's the power of Marilyn – she still makes people feel things.
Preservation Issues and Controversies
Not all sunshine here. Preservationists worry about this burial site:
- Marble shows wear from millions of touches
- Lipstick stains damage the stone (despite cleanings)
- Developer pressure around the tiny cemetery
- Vandalism attempts over the years
They added plexiglass over her plaque in 2009. Ugly but necessary. Honestly though? The place handles crowds better than I expected.
Should You Visit Where Marilyn Monroe is Buried?
Hard question. If you're a die-hard fan? Yes – it's a pilgrimage. Casual tourist? Maybe not worth battling LA traffic just for this. The cemetery itself is underwhelming if you expect grandeur. But standing there... you feel history. That breathless quality she had on screen? It still hangs in the air. Surprising for a cramped corridor in Westwood.
Final thought: Where Marilyn Monroe is buried matters because it's where the myth meets reality. No Hollywood sparkle – just marble, flowers, and quiet. In today's noisy world, that's kinda beautiful.
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