The purpose of this project is to pinpoint the cultural significance of Hollywood Forever Cemetery, specifically in how the site challenges traditional American perspectives of death. The video begins with a short description of the cemetery’s history and past owners before being sold to Tyler Cassity in 1998. Following this new ownership, the cemetery was transformed both cosmetically and ideologically. In American culture, death has always been viewed as a tragic, serious topic. Black clothes, tears, and somber music are what come to mind when one thinks of an American cemetery or funeral. Yet Hollywood Forever Cemetery rejects this ceremony of sadness and mourning and instead encourages celebrating one’s life. Through their hosting of events such as film screenings and concerts on the memorial grounds, Hollywood Forever reimagines the graveyard as a communal space for both the dead and alive.

References 

Amy. (2023, January 3). What’s Good?! Yoga at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLAOnR7cjfY&t=128s 

Best Documentary. (2018). Hollywood Forever : Cemetery of the Stars . Retrieved 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjAWVXoDYKA. 

California Historical Society. (n.d.). Aerial view of Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery. University of Southern California Libraries. Retrieved 2024, from 

https://digitallibrary.usc.edu/asset-management/2A3BF1G5E4L. 

Callahan, D. (1995). Frustrated mastery. The cultural context of death in America. Western Journal of Medicine, 226–230. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1303043/ 

Freyzel Productions. (2022, June 13). Judy Garland Grave at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKEbU2zPsSM 

Golden Brown. (2022). Mammoth Star. Luminous. Retrieved 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYtqn7y9nMY. 

Golden Globes. (2023, June 27). Cinespia: Classic movies under the stars. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCbjTV5XXwA 

HBO. (2001). The Young and the Dead [Film]. United States. Retrieved 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1gNK3SdCBk. 

Lana Del Rey - Born to Die - Live @ Hollywood Forever Cemetery. YouTube. (2014, October 19). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siVLB_OJ4vw&t=101s 

Levitt, L. (2018). The celebrity cemetery. Culture, Celebrity, and the Cemetery, 38–49. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429466021-3 

PBS SoCal. (2024). How the Film Industry Transformed Hollywood Forever Cemetery | Lost LA. Youtube. Retrieved 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwbnfpoFnFk.

Saldivar, S. (2022, November 1). Dia De Los Muertos at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT1rJgKqMEY