Graceland Cemetery (Chicago) Voted Illinoisans’ Favored Burial Spot.

Cemeteries like Bonaventure in Savannah, Georgia, and Hollywood Forever in Los Angeles have long transcended their roles as mere burial grounds. They’re now historic landmarks and tourist hotspots, drawing visitors with their beauty and stories. But for all their allure, these famous sites have a catch: they’ve run out of room for new residents.


So, what if space weren’t a factor? Where would people choose to spend eternity? Would they pick a place rich with history or a peaceful retreat wrapped in nature’s embrace? To find out, Choice Mutual, a life insurance agency focused on final expense policies, surveyed 3,128 respondents about their dream burial spots. Illinoisans’ top 3 choices were:

#31 Graceland Cemetery, Chicago

Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, established in 1860, emerges as a masterpiece of landscape design, crafted by renowned architects and gardeners into a “celebrated ‘garden of the dead’” across 120 acres. Towering oaks and weeping willows shade gothic mausoleums and grand sculptures like “Eternal Silence,” blending nature with art. Winding roads, ponds, and diverse trees create an arboretum and outdoor gallery, offering a peaceful retreat. For Chicagoans, Graceland stands out as a coveted burial place, its harmonious beauty and monumental elegance promising an eternal sanctuary where death mirrors the calm splendor visitors cherish in life.

#93 Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield

Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois’ largest municipal burial ground since 1856, stretches over 365 acres of rolling hills and oak groves. Famous for Abraham Lincoln’s towering tomb, it also features war memorials, serene ponds, and wooded knolls along winding drives. Spring blooms and fall foliage enhance its stunning vistas, hosting thousands of veterans and pioneers. As a final resting place, Oak Ridge offers historical significance and pastoral beauty, appealing to those who seek a venerable, comforting repose amid Illinois’ storied landscape and natural charm.

#99 Springdale Cemetery, Peoria

Springdale Cemetery in Peoria, designed in 1855 as a rural “garden” cemetery, covers 239 acres along the Illinois River bluff with picturesque valleys and hills. Victorian planners sculpted its “easy slopes” and “small lakes” into a secluded sanctuary, now on the National Register. Winding roads pass ornate mausoleums and diverse cultural sections, reflecting Peoria’s heritage in a “place of great beauty”. For central Illinois families, Springdale stands out as a sought-after resting place, harmonizing nature and memory in a peaceful park designed for both remembrance and enjoyment.

For many, the choice comes down to beauty, history, or proximity to loved ones. Some might want their ashes scattered in a place that meant something special in life. But others? They’d pick a spot next to a legend. The survey uncovered the top five celebrities people would love to share eternity with:

Elvis Presley – Graceland, Memphis
Abraham Lincoln – Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield
George Washington – Mount Vernon Estate, Mount Vernon
Johnny Cash – Hendersonville Memory Gardens, Hendersonville
Whitney Houston – Fairview Cemetery, Westfield

Infographic

“We were fascinated to see what drives people’s choices for a final resting place,” says Anthony Martin of Choice Mutuall. “Our survey shows a deep appreciation for cemeteries that double as beautiful, historic spaces. It’s clear that for many, it’s not just about burial; it’s about leaving a legacy in a setting that feels timeless and meaningful.”