- Survey asks Illinoisans where they’d want their ashes scattered on Independence Day.
- Illinoisans’ 2nd choice was the Kaskaskia Bell State Memorial.
- Infographic included.
There’s something profoundly moving about Independence Day. It’s not just the parades or the fireworks – it’s the shared moment of gratitude for a freedom that was hard-won by those who risked everything. As part of a hypothetical survey, Choice Mutual, a life insurance agency that specializes in final expense insurance, asked 3,016 respondents:
‘If you could have your ashes scattered at any monument tied to the country’s founding, where would it be?’
Illinois’ top choices was as follows:
#1 Old State Capitol, Springfield
Before Lincoln became president, he debated the meaning of liberty inside this Greek Revival building. Though it postdates the Revolution, the Old State Capitol remains a shrine to mid-19th century democratic ideals. If you believe Independence Day should honor those who renewed America’s founding promises, this is a powerful choice.
#2 Kaskaskia Bell State Memorial, Kaskaskia
Known as “The Liberty Bell of the West,” this French-cast bell rang out in 1778 as American forces claimed the village of Kaskaskia from the British. For the young nation, it marked a western victory during the Revolutionary War. But it also foreshadowed deeper shifts in power and place – ones that would reshape life along the Mississippi. Today, this quiet island memorial holds echoes of liberty, expansion, and the layered meanings of freedom.
Some of the other standout choices across the country were:
Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Built in 1732, Independence Hall is where both the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the U.S. Constitution (1787) were debated and signed. It housed the Second Continental Congress and once served as Pennsylvania’s state capitol. The original “Rising Sun Chair” still sits at the head of the Assembly Room. To scatter ashes here is to return to democracy’s birthplace – the room where revolution became a republic, and where words shaped the fate of generations. This is sacred ground for civic faith.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, South Dakota
Carved between 1927 and 1941, Mount Rushmore features 60-foot granite faces of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. It was sculpted by Gutzon Borglum to represent the nation’s birth, expansion, preservation, and development. Located in the Black Hills – sacred land to the Lakota – it’s layered with symbolism and controversy. Ashes scattered here would rest beneath the stony gaze of founding mythology, where American ideals and contradictions meet in bold relief.
Alaska Statehood Monument, Juneau, Alaska
Tucked into the capital’s harborfront, this understated monument marks Alaska’s long road to statehood. It wasn’t until 1959 that the 49th star joined the flag, but Alaska had long shaped America’s northern frontier. The granite seal, set beside the water and surrounded by coastal greenery, pays quiet tribute to the people – settlers and Native Alaskans – who shaped its path. A peaceful place to reflect on America’s unfinished story, where the view looks both backward and forward.
Fort Mose Historic State Park, St. Augustine, Florida
America’s first legally sanctioned free Black settlement, Fort Mose, offered sanctuary to enslaved people escaping the British colonies in the early 1700s. It predates 1776, but speaks to the same yearning for liberty. Today, the reconstructed earthworks and interpretive center offer a deeper lens on freedom, one rooted in resistance and community.
Fort Mackinac, Mackinac Island, Michigan
Established by the British in 1780 and turned over to the U.S. after the Revolution, Fort Mackinac sits on a bluff overlooking Lake Huron. It saw action during the War of 1812 and has over a dozen preserved original buildings. It’s now part of a state park with daily reenactments. Choosing this as a final resting spot places you on land once fiercely contested, where American sovereignty was tested, asserted, and eventually solidified with muskets and treaties.
Old North Church, Boston, Massachusetts
Built in 1723, Old North is Boston’s oldest standing church. It was here, on April 18, 1775, that two lanterns were hung to signal Paul Revere: “The British are coming.” The crypt beneath holds over 1,100 remains from the colonial era. It still operates as a church today. Ashes scattered near this site would join the echoes of revolution, under the steeple that lit the way to independence and sparked the very moment the fight for freedom turned real.
El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument, Los Angeles, California
This tiny plaza, often overlooked by tourists, is where L.A. was born. With its original Spanish chapel and adobe buildings, it marks the blending of Mexican, Indigenous, and American roots. Mariachi bands still play nearby, and the scent of grilled corn floats in the air. It’s not solemn, but it is sacred – a vibrant, imperfect mosaic of cultures that speaks to America’s real beginnings.
Colorado State Capitol, Denver, Colorado
Perched a mile above sea level, the Colorado State Capitol is more than a landmark – it’s a symbol of the nation’s westward reach. Colorado joined the Union in 1876, exactly 100 years after the Declaration of Independence, earning it the nickname “The Centennial State.” With its gold dome shining over Denver, it captures the idea that America’s founding wasn’t a one-time event, but an ever-expanding promise carried westward.
Fort Ticonderoga, Ticonderoga, New York
Built by the French in 1755, Fort Ticonderoga was captured by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold in 1775, marking the first American victory of the Revolution. It supplied cannons for the Siege of Boston. The restored fort and museum overlook Lake Champlain. Ashes scattered here would rest at a fortress that helped arm the very idea of freedom – a stone guardian of the northern front where revolution meant strategy, cold air, and bold action.
Manzanar National Historic Site, Owens Valley, California
During World War II, thousands of Japanese Americans were unjustly imprisoned at Manzanar. The desert here is harsh – dry winds, stark mountains, endless dust – but the stories are tender, human, and fiercely American. A cemetery monument still stands, surrounded by paper cranes. For those who want their ashes laid where freedom was tested and reclaimed, Manzanar is both heartbreak and honor.
Choice Mutual has created an infographic showing the entire rankings
“Where we choose to be remembered says a lot about what we value. It’s striking how many people were drawn to places tied to resistance, complexity, and quiet dignity – not just the big marble monuments”, says Anthony Martin, founder of Choice Mutual. “These aren’t just historical sites; they’re reminders that America’s story wasn’t written in a straight line. This survey shows that for many, a final resting place isn’t about patriotism alone – it’s about principle, perspective, and the ongoing fight to live up to our ideals.”
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