26-03-2025
This is where most Arizonans want to be buried, new study shows. Here's why it's so unique
A Wild West graveyard was named Arizona's favorite burial spot in a recent survey.
Boothill Graveyard, Tombstone's original cemetery and the final resting place of some notorious characters, was among three cemeteries Choice Mutual said Arizonans cherished most.
Choice Mutual, an insurance agency specializing in funeral insurance, surveyed more than 3,000 Americans to find out the most cherished resting spaces in the United States. The survey showed that cemeteries near small towns, historical sites and natural beauty were favored.
Here are the uniquely Arizona cemeteries and graveyards people still wish to be buried in and what makes them so special.
In typical Arizona fashion, the most cherished final resting place was Boothill Graveyard in Tombstone. The Wild West town turned tourist attraction highlights the Wild West era of gunfights, outlaws and hardworking settlers, and its cemetery follows the trend.
Boothill Graveyard was the first burial spot in Tombstone and was used until the 1880s when it became the town's "old cemetery." It eventually fell into disrepair. However, nearby residents in the 1920s took on the task of identifying who was buried there and properly marking gravesites.
BootHill Graveyard is home to graves of Arizonans who lived hard, fast lives. Many died while mining or were killed in tragic accidents. A significant number were murdered. The cemetery's pamphlet on who is buried there notes some were "stabbed by Gold Dollar," "hanged by mistake," or "killed while playing cards."
Choice Mutual's study highlighted Boot Hill's "raw, timeless appeal, promising an everlasting tie to Tombstone's storied past for those captivated by its gritty romance and untamed legacy."
How to visit: The cemetery and gift shop, which are located at 408 State Route 80 in Tombstone, are open to visitors daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is a $6 admission fee. More details are available at
This small South Rim cemetery is nestled near the edge of the Grand Canyon. And among the pine trees rest the people who helped make the Grand Canyon what it is — pioneers, tribal members and U,S. Forest Service and National Park Service workers.
"For nature lovers, an eternity here — if it were possible — offers unparalleled peace amid one of the world's most awe-inspiring landscapes," the survey notes.
With nearly 400 gravesites, the cemetery was closed to new burials in 2017 because of a lack of space. Prior to the closure, you must have lived at the canyon for at least three years or made a "significant and substantial contribution" to the Grand Canyon National Park.
How to visit: Grand Canyon tourists can visit the cemetery at 24 S. Entrance Road. It is next to the Shrine of the Ages and Parking Lot A.
The Sedona Community Cemetery is situated at the base of the city's iconic red rocks, just off State Route 179 among the juniper trees. About 1,450 people are buried at the cemetery, including Arizona's first Latino governor Raul Castro. The earliest burial dates back to 1900.
"This tranquil sanctuary appeals to those seeking an eternal bond with Sedona's iconic landscape, where the vivid red rocks and peaceful solitude create a sacred, unforgettable haven," the survey notes.
How to visit: The cemetery is at 199 Pine Drive in Sedona.
More: This Arizona city is a bucket list travel destination next to towns in Fiji and Egypt
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Boothill Graveyard named favorite Arizona burial spot, study says
