A place of peace, beauty, and enduring memory — nestled in the hills above Whittier
Rose Hills Memorial Park sits on a sweeping canvas of more than 1,400 acres in the hills of northern Whittier — making it the largest memorial park in North America and one of the most distinguished in the world. With over 32 miles of winding roads through beautifully maintained grounds, the park offers a setting that is at once majestic and deeply personal.
Founded in 1914 on a portion of the historic Rancho Paso de Bartolo land grant, Rose Hills has grown from a modest 18-acre resting place into a landmark of quiet strength and serene beauty. Its rolling hills, carefully tended gardens, and iconic landmarks — from the Spanish Mission mausoleum to the soaring SkyRose Chapel — speak to more than a century of compassionate memorial care.
Rose Hills is an affiliate of Service Corporation International and is accredited by the Cemetery Consumer Service Council. It welcomes families of all backgrounds, faiths, and traditions, with dedicated sections reflecting the cultural richness of Southern California.
Founded by Augustus Gregg and Whittier business leaders on the historic Rancho Paso de Bartolo land grant as Whittier Heights Memorial Park.
The Whittier Heights Mausoleum opens — only the second public mausoleum structure of its kind in the state of California.
A major expansion program launches, steadily growing the park's reach and capacity through the 1950s.
El Portal de la Paz — Gateway of Peace — opens to the public. This Spanish Mission-style mausoleum features marble corridors, stained-glass windows, and a tranquil courtyard garden.
A crematorium is completed on the grounds, expanding options for families.
Rose Hills Mortuary and the Flower Shop open, making Rose Hills one of the first in the nation to offer complete memorial services at one location.
The award-winning SkyRose Chapel is dedicated — designed by E. Fay Jones, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, with a breathtaking 70-foot clear cathedral ceiling and custom Quimby pipe organ.
Single and companion lawn spaces are available throughout the park's beautifully landscaped sections, including faith-based and culturally dedicated areas.
Community mausoleums — both indoor and outdoor — provide dignified above-ground resting places for caskets and urns. Private family mausoleums with custom stained glass and landscaping are also available.
A rich variety of cremation memorialization choices including garden niche walls, columbarium niches within the mausoleums, dedicated urn gardens, and a serene cremation nature trail.
For families seeking an environmentally mindful farewell, Rose Hills offers green burial options that return loved ones gently to the earth.
Elegant family estate lots offer magnificent views and timeless landscaping — some accommodating up to six family members for a lasting legacy in one beautiful place.
On-site funeral home services, a flower shop, and multiple chapel venues ensure families have everything they need in one compassionate location.
Rose Hills accommodates a range of memorial marker styles depending on the specific section of the park. Here is a guide to what is permitted across the grounds.
Monument style availability varies by section. We recommend confirming permitted marker types with the cemetery at the time of purchase.
One of the most architecturally significant chapels in Southern California, SkyRose was dedicated in 1997 after six years of careful design. Conceived by E. Fay Jones — a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright — and partner Maurice Jennings, it features a soaring 70-foot clear cathedral ceiling that floods the interior with natural light. A custom Quimby pipe organ fills the air with music during more than 1,000 services held here each year.
Meaning “Gateway of Peace,” this beloved mausoleum opened in 1930 as only the second public mausoleum in the state of California. Built in the Spanish Mission style, its marble corridors, hand-painted ceilings, and rich stained-glass windows create an atmosphere of reverence and timeless beauty. An enclosed courtyard garden with a central fountain invites reflection.
A second chapel on the grounds offers an intimate and warmly designed setting for memorial services. The Rainbow Chapel provides a welcoming space for families seeking a smaller, more personal gathering within the park's sweeping landscape.
Among the park's more distinctive offerings, the Cremation Nature Trail is a peaceful, garden-like path designed for families choosing cremation. Set within the natural contours of the hillside, the trail provides a living, growing memorial environment where nature itself becomes a companion in remembrance.
Rose Hills has been chosen as the final resting place by families across all walks of life — from artists and educators to musicians and the relatives of U.S. presidents.
Pioneer of West Coast rap and co-founder of the groundbreaking group N.W.A, Eazy-E helped define the sound of a generation and launch hip-hop into the cultural mainstream. More than 3,000 people gathered at Rose Hills on April 7, 1995, for a farewell befitting a legend.
The educator whose extraordinary belief in his students transformed East Los Angeles's Garfield High School — and inspired the acclaimed film Stand and Deliver. He rests in the Lakeside Gardens section of Rose Hills.
Visionary choreographer and founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, whose deeply soulful works — including the masterpiece Revelations — transformed American dance and gave voice to the African-American cultural experience.
The parents of the 37th President of the United States, Richard Nixon, are interred at Rose Hills, along with three of his brothers — Harold, Donald, and Arthur.
Families who visit Rose Hills consistently speak of the same experience — a sense of peace that meets them at the gate and stays with them long after they leave.
“I have stayed for a couple of hours just sitting on the grass enjoying the scenery and the peacefulness. It truly brings a sense of calm that is hard to find anywhere else in the city.”
“I was completely overwhelmed with the serenity and beautiful care of the grounds. Every corner you turn, there is something lovely — a garden, a view, a quiet corner to just breathe.”
“It is a beautiful place to take a walk and get away from the city for a little while. The landscape is meticulously maintained, and the atmosphere is soothing, respectful, and deeply reflective.”
“I have found much peace and comfort in the beautiful surroundings. When grief feels heavy, this place has a way of lifting the spirit. The staff are kind, unobtrusive, and genuinely caring.”
“Beautiful, absolutely clean, and if you need help, someone is always nearby to assist you with kindness. This is a place that makes you feel your loved one is in good hands.”
“I was in awe of the peacefulness of that area. The rolling hills, the flowers, the chapels — it's like stepping into another world, quieter and more meaningful than the one outside the gates.”
