How Much Is a Plot at Hollywood Forever Cemetery?

Hollywood Forever Cemetery, located in the heart of Los Angeles, is a historic and culturally significant burial ground. Established in 1899, it serves as the final resting place for numerous notable figures from the entertainment industry and other prominent individuals. The cemetery also operates as an active cultural center, hosting various community events. It draws visitors from around the world to its meticulously maintained grounds.

Types of Burial Options and Their Costs

Exploring the various interment options at Hollywood Forever Cemetery reveals distinct cost structures. Prices fluctuate based on availability and demand.

Traditional Ground Burial Plots

Traditional ground burial plots offer an in-earth interment option. Costs for these plots range from $2,000 to $55,000. The final price is influenced by the plot’s size, specific location, and whether it accommodates single or multiple interments.

Mausoleum Spaces

Mausoleum spaces provide an above-ground alternative for casketed remains. Pricing begins around $12,760 for a single space in areas like the Gower Mausoleum. More exclusive locations, such as interior crypts within the Hollywood Cathedral, can reach $66,550 for a single capacity. Companion crypts, designed for two individuals, start at $19,470.

Cremation Niches and Urn Gardens

For those opting for cremation, the cemetery provides dedicated niches and urn gardens. Cremation niches house urns and are available with single occupancy options ranging from $8,690 to $13,200. Companion niches, accommodating two urns, cost between $17,325 and $27,940, depending on the specific mausoleum or garden section. The cemetery also features scattering gardens and living tree memorials.

Private Estates and Family Mausoleums

Private estates and family mausoleums represent the most exclusive and costly interment choices. These custom-designed structures offer a highly personalized and enduring memorial for families. Budgets for private family mausoleums can span from $50,000 for simpler designs to $3,500,000 for elaborate, custom-built structures. These options provide unmatched privacy and architectural significance.

Factors Influencing Plot Costs

The wide range in plot costs at Hollywood Forever Cemetery is due to several factors. These elements reflect the property’s intrinsic value and market dynamics.

Location

The specific location within the cemetery significantly affects a plot’s cost. Plots near historical landmarks, water features, or within aesthetically pleasing sections often command higher prices. Proximity to main pathways or areas with scenic views also increases desirability and expense.

Exclusivity and Demand

Exclusivity and demand play a substantial role in pricing. Sections with limited availability, particularly in historic or highly sought-after areas, experience increased demand. This scarcity drives up plot costs, reflecting their premium status. Newer developments or sections with ample availability may offer more accessible price points.

Size and Capacity

The size and capacity of a burial space directly correlate with its cost. Larger plots designed for multiple interments, such as double-depth ground plots or family crypts within a mausoleum, are more expensive than single-capacity options. Accommodating several individuals within one area adds to the plot’s overall value.

Customization Potential

The potential for personalized memorials can influence the overall investment. Plots in areas allowing for more elaborate headstones, statuary, or landscaping, where permitted by cemetery regulations, are perceived as more valuable. This potential for enhanced memorialization contributes to higher pricing.

Other Burial Related Expenses

Beyond the initial plot purchase, several additional expenses contribute to the total cost of interment. These fees cover necessary services, memorialization, and long-term maintenance.

Interment Fees

Interment fees, also known as opening and closing fees, cover services to prepare and seal the burial space after interment. General costs for these services in the Los Angeles area range from $1,000 to $2,000. These charges encompass labor for excavation, placement of the casket or urn, and site restoration.

Headstones, Markers, and Memorials

Headstones, markers, and other memorials represent a significant, separate cost from the plot. Prices vary widely based on material, size, design complexity, and engraving. Basic grave markers start from a few hundred dollars, while intricate memorials can range from $3,000 to $10,000 or more. These items are purchased from monument providers, though cemeteries have specific installation guidelines.

Outer Burial Containers

Outer burial containers, such as vaults or grave liners, are required for ground burials to support the earth and prevent the grave from sinking. Hollywood Forever Cemetery offers these containers, with prices ranging from $1,950 to $30,250. This expense is distinct from the plot and casket, ensuring the grave site’s long-term integrity.

Perpetual Care Fees

Perpetual care fees fund the ongoing maintenance and beautification of cemetery grounds and individual plots. These fees contribute to the upkeep of landscaping, pathways, and general facilities. Amounts vary; some cemeteries calculate this as a percentage of the plot’s sale price, often around 10%, or as a direct fee ranging from $200 to $1,000 annually.

Miscellaneous Administrative or Service Fees

Miscellaneous administrative or service fees apply. These include charges for processing permits, handling death certificates, or other coordination services provided by the cemetery or its affiliated funeral home. A basic service fee for the funeral director and staff might be around $915 at Hollywood Forever Funeral Home. Additional costs can arise if services are held outside standard weekday hours.