We all have a final resting place. Have you thought about yours?

Here are my top ten favorite cemeteries, funeral homes and crematories across the globe.  They’re not only gorgeous, but from urban legends to famous memorials – they each have a unique story to tell.

 

1. Highgate Cemetery – London, United Kingdom

 

What do the famous Karl Marx, George Eliot and Charles Dickens’ parents have in common? They’re all laid to rest at one of the most beautiful cemeteries I’ve found to date, called the Highgate Cemetery in London. Known as one of the greatest Victorian cemeteries in London, this place tops our list for its beautiful, untamed gardens, trees, shrubs and flowers… and this amazing out-of-this-world monument. The most interesting part about this cemetery? Around the 1970’s, a vampire was rumored to be wandering it…

 

2. Horan & McConaty Funeral Home – Denver, Colorado

The real reason I love Horan & McConaty Funeral Home so much is because of their attention to detail. One of Horan & McConaty’s  most beautiful assets are the Cremation Gardens at Rocky Mountain Memorial Park, which are complete with a pond, fountains, waterfalls and even walking paths. These serene cremation gardens are the perfect place for families to reflect and grieve during a difficult time. If you’d ever like to see the gardens for yourself, Horan & McConaty offer free tours daily.

 

3. Pere-Lachaise Cemetery – Paris, France

 

If you’re a fan of the legend Jim Morrison, this beautiful cemetery, Pere-Lachaise, should be one of your top destinations while visiting Paris, France. Walk by it on any given day and you’ll probably hear loud rock music playing from Jim’s most loyal fans.

 

 

And for you poetry folks, don’t forget to stop by Oscar Wilde’s final resting place as well. Pere-Lachaise isn’t only the largest cemetery in Paris, France… it’s also Paris’s first garden cemetery, municipal cemetery, and home to three World War I memorials.

 

4. Borders Crematorium – Melrose, Scotland

 

Rolling hills, beautiful green grass… what isn’t there to love about this amazing crematorium? Called the “most beautiful crematorium in Britain”, we’re recognizing Borders Crematorium not just for it’s beauty, but the details that went into creating it. The creator, Adrian Britton, spent nearly 20 years searching for the perfect site for his crematorium, finally settling on a serene spot near Edinburgh, Scotland. Since its opening in December 2011, Borders serves about 600 families each year.

 

5. Lone Fir Cemetery – Portland, Oregon

 

The reason we love Lone Fir Cemetery so much is because of it’s unique twist on memorializing your loved ones. Family and friends who put their loved ones to rest at Lone Fir have the opportunity to plant trees or flowers in honor of them, creating a huge community garden in the cemetery. With over 25,000 burials spread across more than 30 acres of land, we can only imagine the beauty that buds here every day.

 

6. Hodges Funeral Home – North Naples, Florida

 

Hodges Funeral Home deserves a spot on this list not just for the beauty of their funeral home, but the innovative ways they’re adapting their facilities to better serve the families of today. They recently made the decision to open a full service wine cellar at their funeral home, which to me, represents a true life celebration. What isn’t there to love about that?

 

 

 

7. Punta Arenas Cemetery — Punta Arenas, Chile

 

Punta Arenas Cemetery isn’t just on this list for it’s unique, raw beauty. It makes the list because it’s one of the most rare cemeteries in the world. In 1919, a wealthy pioneer named Sara Braun donated to this cemetery in exchange for one request: once she passed through upon her death, the central door would be closed forever. The door has remained closed to this day. Even stranger, urban legend has it that Sara Braun’s embalmed body is taken out of her tomb on the 1st of every November to have her hair combed and fresh makeup applied!

 

 

One of the attractions to the cemetery is the Indio Deconocido (or unknown indian)’s tomb. The Indian’s body was found on an island in 1929, and was brought to rest at Punta Arenas Cemetery. By the second half of the century, rumors spread about his supernatural powers. In 1969 a bronze statue was erected in his honor, along with 3 walls to surround his tomb. The walls are now completely covered in plaques showing gratitude for the “favors he granted.” Spooky!

 

8. Frank E. Campbell – The Funeral Chapel

 

Founded in 1898 , the legendary Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel is known as having “a long history of protecting the privacy of the rich and famous and their loved ones”. Some of it’s most notable funerals include Luther Vandross, Aaliyah, Jim Henson, The Notorious B.I.G. and Heath Ledger.

In 1926, the funeral home drew in nearly 100,000 mourners (pictured above) for the silent screen actor Rudolph Valentino, and they’ve been known for drawing in large crowds ever since. We love this funeral home because its beauty is hidden… it’s one of the only places in existence that truly protects the privacy of those who never got much during their lives.

 

9. Community Life Center – Indianapolis, Indiana

 

At first glance, you probably wouldn’t think this is a funeral home. And if you thought that, you were right… kind of. Washington Park East Cemetery decided to revamp their funeral home and turn it into a multi-purpose facility in 2001, and the results are stunning. Their newly renovated community facility, Community Life Center, is now open for weddings, birthday parties, meetings and even proms! We put this funeral home at the top of our list for it’s usefulness in the community and its beauty.

 

10.  Forest Lawn Memorial Park – Glendale, California

 

Forest Lawn Memorial Park is no run-of-the-mill cemetery or funeral home. Actually, it’s much more than a cemetery – it’s an art gallery, architectural showcase, museum and religious retreat all in one. Dr. Hubert Eaton created Forest Lawn in 1917 because he thought most current cemeteries were “unsightly, depressing stoneyards”. He made it his mission to create a cemetery that would reflect his optimistic beliefs and captivate its visitors. His vision transformed into one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world, laying to rest some of the most legendary stars in history including Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart, Sammy Davis Jr. and even Walt Disney! While sightseeing isn’t necessarily encouraged at this beautiful cemetery, you can still take a chance and take in its beauty for yourself.

 

What funeral home, cemetery or crematory do you think is most beautiful! Tell us in the comments below!