Columbaria, structures designed to house cremated remains, are becoming increasingly popular as final resting places for many, including notable figures from various walks of life.
Here are 15 famous people who have been laid to rest in columbaria, highlighting their contributions and the legacies they left behind.
1. Gene Roddenberry The creator of "Star Trek," Gene Roddenberry, is also memorialized at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery. His visionary work continues to inspire sci-fi enthusiasts worldwide. In October 1992, NASA astronaut James Weatherbee carried a portion of Roddenberry's ashes among his “personal effects” to orbit on board Space Shuttle Columbia. Then In 1997, Celestis sent a portion of Gene Roddenberry's cremated remains into space on a rocket flight. That flight was sent into orbit around the Earth and eventually disintegrated upon reentering the atmosphere.
2. Alfred Hitchcock The master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, known for classic films like "Psycho" and "The Birds," is interred in a columbarium at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.
3. Colleen Dewhurst Acclaimed actress Colleen Dewhurst, known for her work in theater and on-screen in "Anne of Green Gables," is interred at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, alongside other Hollywood legends.
4. Lucille Ball The beloved comedian and star of "I Love Lucy," Lucille Ball's ashes were initially interred in a columbarium in Hollywood but later moved to a family plot at the Lake View Cemetery, located in Jamestown, New York.
5. George Harrison The Beatles' lead guitarist, George Harrison, was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Ganges River, but he is memorialized in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s Garden of Legends columbarium.
6. Jerry Orbach Known for his roles in "Law & Order" and "Dirty Dancing," actor Jerry Orbach’s ashes are interred in Trinity Church Cemetery's columbarium in New York City.
7. Joan Crawford The iconic actress Joan Crawford, star of "Mildred Pierce" and "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" is interred in the columbarium at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.
8. Roddy McDowall Actor and photographer Roddy McDowall, known for "Planet of the Apes" and "Fright Night," is interred at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery columbarium.
9. Truman Capote The celebrated author of "In Cold Blood" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's," Truman Capote’s ashes are interred in the Columbarium of Prayer at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.
10. Nipsey Hussle The rapper and activist Nipsey Hussle, whose work impacted his community greatly, is interred in a private columbarium at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.
11. George Burns The legendary comedian and actor George Burns, known for his cigar and comedy duo act with Gracie Allen, is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
12. Chris Cornell The lead vocalist for Soundgarden and Audioslave, Chris Cornell’s ashes are interred in a private columbarium at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
13. Mickey Rooney Actor Mickey Rooney, known for his extensive film career and roles in classics like "National Velvet," is interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s columbarium.
14. Hattie McDaniel The first African American to win an Academy Award, Hattie McDaniel is honored at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, although her ashes were originally scattered elsewhere.
15. Jeanette MacDonald The popular singer and actress Jeanette MacDonald, known for her roles in musicals and operettas, is interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park’s columbarium in Glendale, California.
Conclusion
The choice of a columbarium as a final resting place for these famous individuals underscores the growing acceptance and popularity of cremation and niche interment. Steeped in family tradition and true devotion, relatives often choose to be interred within close proximity to one another. The connections we have with family run deep. Holding onto those close ties is now possible for those who choose above-ground cremation interment.
For many, the family columbarium is an ideal interment option. As the trend towards cremation continues to increase, consider a custom or standard family columbarium to memorialize "The Family." This adaptation ensures that the emotional and cultural significance of familial bonds is preserved, even in modern interment practices.
NOTE: Homecoming is proud to be at the forefront of green deathcare practices. We use recycled materials and U.S. manufacturers to help us achieve our Net Zero goal by 2025! To learn more about our company's approach to environmentally-conscious final placement, schedule a Discovery Call today!
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