How to Find a Grave at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Hollywood Forever Cemetery is one of Los Angeles's most storied burial grounds — and finding a specific grave here takes a little more than just showing up at the gate. This guide walks you through everything: where to go, how to search the records, which section your loved one may be in, and how to send flowers once you've found them.

About Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Founded in 1899, Hollywood Forever Cemetery sits at 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard in the heart of Hollywood. It spans approximately 62 acres and holds the remains of more than 80,000 people — from silent-film pioneers to punk legends to families who have been visiting the same plot for generations.

The cemetery is still active, meaning new burials happen regularly alongside historic sections that date back more than a century. It's also well known for outdoor film screenings, concerts, and cultural events held on the grounds each year — a reflection of the community it serves.

How to Find a Specific Grave

1. Search Online First

Before visiting, check Find A Grave (findagrave.com). It has a large volunteer-contributed database of Hollywood Forever burials with GPS plot locations, photos, and biographical information. Search by full name and filter by "Hollywood Forever Cemetery."

The BillionGraves app is another useful resource — it lets you scan headstones to tag and locate them.

2. Contact the Cemetery Office

If you can't find the grave online, call the office at (323) 469-1181 during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM). Staff can look up records by name and provide the section, row, and plot number. They generally need the full legal name and, if possible, the approximate year of death.

You can also visit the office in person when you arrive. The main office building is near the entrance on Santa Monica Boulevard. Staff are accustomed to helping visitors locate specific plots.

3. Use RestBloom's Grave Search

RestBloom maintains a searchable index of graves at Hollywood Forever. You can search by name on the cemetery page — if the burial is in our database, you'll find the section and plot reference and can send flowers directly to the gravesite.

Cemetery Sections at Hollywood Forever

Hollywood Forever is divided into named sections, each with its own character and history. Knowing which section you're looking for will save significant time on a large property.

• Garden of Legends — Near the main lake, this is among the most visited sections. Home to Rudolph Valentino's crypt and many early Hollywood figures.
• Beth Olam Mausoleum — The Jewish mausoleum near the center of the grounds, one of the largest structures on the property.
• Pineland — A quieter section in the northwest part of the cemetery with many family plots from the early 20th century.
• Sanctuary of Tranquility — A newer section on the eastern side, with more recent burials and a calmer atmosphere.
• Abbey of the Psalms Mausoleum — The large indoor mausoleum running along the north side of the property. Holds thousands of crypts and niches across multiple wings.
• Cathedral Mausoleum — Attached to the Abbey, this section includes some of the oldest and most elaborate crypts.

Maps are available at the cemetery office. Staff can also point you to the correct section once you have the plot details.

Notable Burials

Many people visit Hollywood Forever to pay respects to specific public figures. Some of the cemetery's most visited graves include:

• Rudolph Valentino — The silent-film actor, in the Garden of Legends near the main lake. One of the most visited graves in Los Angeles.
• Cecil B. DeMille — The pioneering film director, buried in a family plot near the center of the grounds.
• Douglas Fairbanks Sr. — Actor and producer, with an elaborate lakeside memorial that reflects the grandeur of Hollywood's golden age.
• Judy Garland — The actress and singer was interred here after being moved from a New York crypt. Her grave is in the Judy Garland Memorial Garden.
• Johnny Ramone — The Ramones guitarist, marked by a striking bronze statue in the Garden of Legends.
• Jayne Mansfield — Actress and entertainer, buried in the Pink section near the south wall.

These graves often have fresh flowers, mementos, and tributes left by visitors — a reminder that memory doesn't fade easily here.

Visiting Tips

Getting There

Hollywood Forever is located at 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard, between Gower Street and Van Ness Avenue. The main entrance is on Santa Monica Blvd. Street parking is available on nearby streets, and there's a lot inside the gate.

By public transit, the Metro Red Line stops at Hollywood/Vine (about a 15-minute walk) or Hollywood/Western (about 20 minutes). The 217 bus runs along Santa Monica Boulevard and stops nearby.

What to Expect

The cemetery grounds are large and can take time to navigate. Wear comfortable shoes — some sections involve gravel paths and uneven ground. Water is recommended, especially in summer when temperatures in Hollywood regularly exceed 90°F.

Pets are welcome on-leash. Photography is generally permitted, though the cemetery requests respectful behavior around active services and private memorials.

Sending Flowers If You Can't Visit

Distance or schedules don't always make an in-person visit possible. RestBloom works with a local florist partner to deliver fresh flower arrangements directly to graves at Hollywood Forever. After delivery, we send you a photograph of the arrangement at the gravesite — so you know it arrived.

You can browse arrangements and place an order from anywhere in the world on the Hollywood Forever cemetery page.

Also planning a visit to other Los Angeles cemeteries? Read our guides to Forest Lawn Glendale, Rose Hills Memorial Park, and Holy Cross Cemetery Culver City.

RestBloom is a flower delivery service partnered with Hollywood Forever Cemetery. For official cemetery records, plot locations, and interment services, contact the cemetery office directly at (323) 469-1181.