Nestled quietly behind high-rise office buildings in the bustling Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park is a hidden pocket of cinematic history. Unlike the sprawling, theatrical grounds of Hollywood Forever or Forest Lawn, this compact cemetery feels almost accidental. It's tucked away at 1218 Glendon Avenue, completely obscured from the main street by a concrete corridor. Yet, beneath its flat, manicured lawns and understated bronze plaques lie some of the most iconic figures of Hollywood's Golden Age, including Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin, and Natalie Wood.
Finding the cemetery requires intention. There are no grand arches, towering monuments, or obvious tourist gates to announce its presence. Visitors walk down a narrow alleyway beside a parking structure before opening a modest gate into a tranquil, rectangular courtyard. This unassuming layout is part of its charm. It's a peaceful sanctuary where fans can pay respects without the heavy commercialization found at other historic Los Angeles landmarks.
The History and Unique Design of Westwood Village Memorial Park
Established in 1926 as Westwood Memorial Park, the cemetery was originally surrounded by open bean fields and rolling grasslands rather than the dense urban sprawl of modern Westwood [1.1.10]. Its development happened concurrently with the nearby construction of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus [1.1.10]. Over the decades, as the Westside transformed into a high-density commercial and residential hub, the cemetery became an island of quiet surrounded by modern glass and steel.
The design of the grounds reflects a mid-century shift in cemetery planning. Unlike older Victorian burial grounds featuring elaborate, towering headstones, Westwood was planned primarily for flat bronze grave markers set flush into the grass [1.1.10]. This rule was strictly enforced for decades to maintain an uninterrupted, park-like expanse of green lawn. While some wall crypts, mausoleums, and gated family estates have been added over the years—such as the massive granite structure belonging to oil tycoon Armand Hammer—the signature look remains remarkably understated [1.1.10].
This flat layout creates a unique navigational challenge for visitors. Without upright headstones to read from a distance, finding a specific grave requires looking down at the grass and following precise row coordinates. The cemetery is divided into distinct sections, including the Sanctuary of Love and the Garden of Serenity, each holding a concentration of entertainment royalty [1.1.2, 1.1.4].
Iconic Residents of the Golden Age
The primary draw for most visitors is the heavy concentration of mid-century cinematic icons. While major studios often favored larger memorial parks, many actors, directors, and musicians chose Westwood for its intimate, neighborhood feel or because their families secured plots here before the lots became scarce and expensive.
Marilyn Monroe
Without a doubt, the most visited site in the entire cemetery is the crypt of Marilyn Monroe. Located in the north wall of the Corridor of Memories, her simple crypt features a plain bronze plaque bearing her name and dates: 1926–1962. Despite the simplicity, her resting place is always adorned with fresh flowers, lipstick-kissed notes left by fans, and heavy security measures implemented by management to protect the wall from excessive touching and vandalism. Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy, famously purchased the crypt directly next to Monroe's and was laid to rest there in 2017, cementing a strange pop-culture juxtaposition that endures to this day.
Natalie Wood and the Mid-Lawn Icons
Walking south onto the main lawn brings visitors to the grave of Natalie Wood, whose tragic 1981 death remains a fixture of Hollywood lore [1.1.2]. Her marker lies flat in the grass, frequently covered in small stones, coins, and floral tributes left by admirers [1.1.2]. Just rows away rest other titans of the screen, including Rebel Without a Cause co-star Jim Backus, Oscar-winner Donna Reed, and actor Burt Lancaster [1.1.2, 1.1.10]. The proximity of these graves creates an unintended reunion of co-stars who shaped the studio era.
Music and Literature Legends
Beyond film stars, the grounds hold extraordinary talent from the worlds of literature and music. Truman Capote, author of In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany's, spent his final years in Los Angeles and rests here after his ashes were scattered and later memorialized [1.1.2, 1.1.4, 1.1.10]. Jazz drummer Buddy Rich, singing icon Mel Tormé, and rock pioneer Roy Orbison are also buried within the park's boundaries [1.1.1, 1.1.4]. Notably, Orbison's marker on the lawn remains famously unmarked, leaving many casual fans searching blindly for the voice behind "Pretty Woman" [1.1.4, 1.1.10].
Practical Guide for Visitors
Visiting Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park requires a respectful approach, as it remains an active funeral home and cemetery for local families.
- Hours: The gates are typically open to the public daily from morning through late afternoon, though holiday hours may vary.
- Parking: Street parking on Glendon Avenue is metered and fills up quickly due to UCLA students and local shoppers. Several paid parking structures are available within a short walking block.
- Etiquette: Photography is permitted, but visitors must keep noise to a minimum, avoid stepping directly on flush grave markers, and respect private mourners attending services.
- Map Availability: The cemetery does not provide official maps or guided tours at the entrance [1.1.10]. Fans relying on self-guided tours usually map out specific row numbers beforehand using online databases like Find a Grave to locate specific plots efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone visit Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park?
Yes, the cemetery is open to the general public during daytime operating hours. There is no admission fee, but visitors are expected to maintain a quiet and respectful demeanor out of consideration for families visiting loved ones.
Are all the celebrity graves easy to find?
Not necessarily. Because the vast majority of the cemetery features flat bronze plaques rather than upright headstones, you have to look closely at the ground. Some high-profile graves, like Marilyn Monroe's crypt in the outer wall, are obvious due to crowds and floral arrangements, while others require precise row-by-row searching [1.1.4].
How much do burial plots cost here today?
Plot availability is extremely limited, and real estate in Westwood commands a massive premium. Remaining spaces, community mausoleum niches, or private family estates can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, reflecting both its prime Los Angeles location and its legendary status.
Are there guided historical tours offered on-site?
No, the management does not provide official historical tours or informational pamphlets [1.1.10]. Most visitors explore independently or use digital walking guides and fan-curated maps shared by pop-culture historians.
