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Lakeview Cemetery
Rating Details »
Category: Funeral Services & Cemeteries
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill1554 15th Ave E
Seattle, WA 98138
(206) 322-1582
19 reviews for Lakeview Cemetery
As much as I think how not environmentally sound conventional burials are, I still respect the honor of a human life.
The cemetery is next to the Volunteer Park but is isolated. It is very well kept and invokes peace and humility. Most visitors seemed to come for Bruce and Brandon Lee's grave. The location is tricky, but once you see the flagpole, it's nearby. There's a bench in front of the tombstones, which is secluded behind bushes.
I've never really been to a cemetery before so I can't really give this five stars because I have nothing to compare it to.
But aside from that, the place was HUGE and some of the tombstones were really pretty and it was nice that we were able to drive through the cemetery. I would've had no idea where to park anyway. The area was huge, very well kept, clean and quite pretty. It felt really serene and calm visiting the cemetery during the day. I'm not so sure I'd say the same if it was at night though. It'd definitely depend on how well lit the place is.
I was on a quest to find Bruce/Brandon Lee's grave and it was a little difficult figuring out where to turn and what not but after a few minutes, we were able to find it... mostly because there was a huge group of people near it. Most people probably come here to pay their respects to the Lees.
Any avid Bruce Lee or Brandon Lee fan would find their grave sites to be a very absorbing and sometimes emotional one. Just to be that close to the remains or tombs of infamous icons such as Bruce and Brandon, with which whom I've grown up watching and taking the likes of, was very fascinating. The experience helps to reflect back on the successes that both martial artists / actors had in their lives, and I for one, felt the love and pain as a fan again. The tombs are in remembrances of them, and my visit helped me to remember their great times. I'm very fortunate and satisfied with having to visit the graves of Bruce and Brandon Lee and getting the chance to pay my respects to them. Visited on September 20, 2009.
I spent 4 hours at the Lakeview Cemetery today making a video for YouTube. I wanted a big, expansive, grave stone scenes shot in black and white with really thoughtful, yet sad and melancholy-like music in the background. The best part was that today's weather was perfect for what I wanted because it generated a certain "feel" that I was looking for, but it took me 4 hours to get it right.
The Lakeview Cemetery is a very large place with many rolling hills.. I spent most of the 4 hours avoiding groups that were roaming about, and walking around trying to find the perfect spot in which to make my video, and I was also delayed in my search because I kept stopping and reading the captions on the grave stones and plaques. Sometimes reading these things can give you a sense of what the person who died was like, and what their lives might have been like. I also got a real sense of time, and how fleeting a person's life actually is; our lives are nothing more than a whisper in the wind.
There also were several burials taking place today with mourners dressed all in black, standing around in tight circles looking lost. I managed to get some footage of scenes like these, but I did it at a very respectful distance. I did not wish to give anyone the impression I was disrespecting their ceremony of loss.
The Lakeview Cemetery's grounds were very well kept up. If you could ignore the fact that you were surrounded by death it could seem like you were taking a stroll in a very pleasant park. The ground was free of any litter, and the grass, and hedges were kept smartly trimmed, and it looked like every month the headstones were given a good scrubbing, and the grass was removed from around the stones that were plaques in the ground so you could read the names written upon them.
I finally located what I considered to be the perfect spot in which to shoot my video, and quickly setup all of my gear and ended up shooting what I think will be my best video creation yet after I'm done editing it. An hour later I was sitting back, smoking a cigarette, and watching people come and go from the cemetery grounds, and feeling smug, and full of myself that I have such a good eye for video creation. For back ground music I pondered using Alison Krauss's song called "It Doesn't Matter" because that bit of music would perfectly fit the mood of this cemetery
I packed up my equipment and decided to leave the grounds, and as I was walking something struck me as being real familiar about the section of Lakeview Cemetery I was walking, and then it hit me. I realized my mother was buried here. I find it interesting, and very telling of my character that I would forget such a thing. September 18th of 1977 my mother was buried not too far away from this section. It took me 20 minutes of looking, but I managed to find it. ""In loving memory of Marva J." It said on the headstone. I just stood there like a fool and just continued to stare at the head stone. The sense of time was really doing a number on my head by then, so I had to sit down. I must have truly been an awful son because how could any, civilized person forget where their own mother was buried? For the 1st time in many years I felt ashamed.
I collected myself and brought out my video camera and got some good shots of her grave, and shots of myself standing near her grave. This bit of footage will not go in my YouTube video.
The Lakeview Cemetery's a pretty good burial site if you ask me. Rolling hills, good view, and very well taken care of grounds. If I were to die today this is where I would wish to be buried.
2 words: Bruce Lee.
Always nice way to see tourists, former students of his, caretakers, etc.
I feel kinda weird reviewing a cemetery, but this is one worth visiting to pay respects to key figures from Seattle's history. I came to see Bruce and Brandon Lee, in particular.
Directions to the Lee graves:
When you enter the cemetery, follow the road in and turn left at Terrace Hill Mausoleum. At the crest of the hill, the Denny plot will be on your left. (The Denny's were one of Seattle's founding families.) The Lee graves are further along the road. To your left, you will see the back of two headstones: one is a copper color (Bruce's grave) and the other is gray (Brandon's grave). On the other side of the headstones, you can see a light gray granite bench, with an engraved message from Linda and Shannon (Bruce Lee's wife and daughter, respectively). Linda's mother's headstone is to the left of the bench.
Is it weird to like a cemetary? Does that make me creepy? I dunno, there's something about seeing old weathered tombstones that are so old and worn the dates can't even be read. I guess its a feeling of history, being part of something older and bigger than I am used to feeling in the everyday rush of normal go go gadget life.
This cemetary is huge and full of giant grand tombstones. Quite different from the boring plaques on the ground you see in newer cemetaries.
I have been there probably 15 times and it is really neat.
The cemetery is so pretty and a great view of Husky Stadium and Lake Washington. On a blue sky day you will be able to see Mount Rainier also.
The tombstones and grave sites are interesting and tasteful. Fans and people leave strange items ie. flowers, fruit, jewelry, coins, notes, pictures, clothing and many more items over the years.
The cemetery is next to Seattle' famous Volunteer park in the Capital Hill neighborhood. Most of the founding father' families are resting there as well.
As far as cemetery's go I think this one is the best I have ever been to and suggest you do as well.
This is quite an amazing cemetary, and worth the find. The grounds are beautifully kept, and I was surprised at how many people had sought out Bruce and Brandon Lee's grave site. He is pretty well renowned so it does make sense. At certain times, and when I was here someone came and played an instrument around at his site. It fascinates me to see all the different types of tombstones that people have created and come up with. In some cases, they are quite monumental. The gravesite of Bruce and Brandon Lee was quite serene. It is located on a small little hill with well groomed bushes, so that if you turned around on the engraved dedicated bench in front of their tombstones overlooking the bushes you'd be facing east as the tombstones are as well. So even as they are there the sun would rise facing them.
I used to frequent the Lakeview Cemetery on my morning jogs around the neighborhood. It's so serene and peaceful with nice sloping inclines to keep the jogging path interesting. All of the visitors here are respectful, too.
Plus, there's the most intriguing, beautifully intricate tree I've ever seen growing on the right side of the property. (If you head right after entering the gates, you'll eventually find it.) It's hard to miss.
When leaving Lakeview, be sure to turn left out of the gates for a stop at the Louisa Boren Lookout. It's one of the best views in town because it's so surreal. After staring out for a while, it just doesn't seem like it could be real at all.
I came to Lakeview Cemetery to pay my respects to Bruce and Brandon Lee. I grew up watching Bruce Lee films and appreciated the kinds of opportunities Bruce opened up for Asians throughout the world. He was a guy that was way ahead of his time, that engaged people through instruction and encouragement, and was focused on showcasing beauty of Asian culture.
The cemetery itself is modest in size, dotted with cherry blossom leaves, and has a majestic view. My visit was definitely a humbling experience.
Bruce and Brandon Lee are buried here (as well as many of Seattle's founding families). Although Bruce and Brandon are no longer with us the memorial and bench honor them. Fans have left flowers, coins and a maneki neko for them. They both died decades before they should have-yet their short lives still have meaning for millions.
Their headstones have a beautiful view to reflect upon their lives and your own. (see my photos)
When you have a day to kill at Seattle, visiting this cemetery is a must. Like other yelpers have said, the view from there is great and you get to see Bruce & Brandon Lee's resting place. We also saw Nordstrom founder's grave there, not that it's so important...hehe!
Last visit: 2/04
They passed on whilst in their primes. Some 35 and 15 years later, fans still flock to pay their respects Bruce and Brandon Lee. Regardless of time of year, you'll likely run into someone who is visiting. And if not, there'll definitely be fresh flowers, gifts and other tokens of love.
To find the graves, head almost directly up the hill from the main gates. You'll have to wind your way around if you're driving. The pics here give you a good idea of what to look for.
Fear not the crow that keeps watch by the graves (if you're pure of heart).
Ah Lakeview Cemetery, I don't think it's too weird to review it, after all it's on Yelp too. LOL The cemetery itself is amazing. Being from CA, I found out that a lot of our founding families and big names are all resting here. I came here with my own mission, of course, to see the Lee graves, that and take some awesome pictures of the cherry blossoms during one beautiful spring day. I shamelessly posed by a big tree, with graves as the back drop. Don't worry I was respectful, besides you can't really tell they're graves. The tree was so massive. Yes as other Yelpers will tell you, the views here are absolutely gorgeous, especially on a clear day. I must mention, as we were at both Bruce and Brandon's graves, a crow landed practically on top of Brandon's grave. It was kinda surreal but pretty neat. Call me morbid but looking at the different graves and reading all the epitaphs are quite interesting. Yes, slowly but surely I am revealing my other side,the Death Hag, morbid side.
It's a beautiful cemetery and one of Seattle's oldest. I have personal history here. My family was one of the first Chinese families in Washington state. My Great Grandparents, Grandparents, Great Aunts and Uncles are laid to rest here. When I come to pay my respects I take time to look for other graves such as Bruce and Brandon's as well as Seattle's founding families. It's easy to loose track of time here as well as Volunteer Park next door.
pretty cool to see Bruce and Brandon Lee's graves, not to mention all the people that Seattle things (streets, parks, etc.) are named for. Amazing things are left at the Lee's gravesite. wonder where they all end up?
A veritable who's who of the Seattle dead are buried at Lakeview cemetery, from an infamous madam to Princess Angeline (Chief Sealth's daughter) to Bruce and Brandon Lee. While many people come to see these graves, many also come just to take in the gorgeous views of the Olympics and downtown. For a free map of the graves, stop by the entrance office.
representin da man n his boy in da hood...why did they expire prematurely maybe a HK Wah Chinger?...catch ma drift...
