This information (with photos) from the Hollywood Forever Cemetery announces the opening of their recently completed Gower Mausoleum.  Here’s a paragraph from the cemetery’s recent announcement:

“Hollywood Forever is honored to announce the opening of the Gower Mausoleum, a new architectural landmark in Los Angeles and the tallest mausoleum in the United States. Rising five stories above our historic grounds, this contemporary structure provides space for more than 50,000 loved ones in crypts and niches, ensuring Hollywood Forever may continue serving families for generations to come.”

In a city and area that has some unique architecture such as the Hollywood hill sign, the Los Angeles Airport design, and the round former Capitol Records building, the Gower Mausoleum will be the newest talk of the town.

The Hollywood Forever website also makes note the high-rise mausoleum will be the tallest mausoleum in the United States and it is expected to become a “cultural landmark and a sanctuary of remembrance.”

Premium Products —  I think we may be moving through a period in time where many economists believe we are in a “K”-shaped economy —  meaning that the economy is not the same for all.  Meaning that some people with assets are getting more assets and some people without assets are not growing any savings or assets at all —  that’s the “K”-shaped economy.

I also think that in an economy where cremation and not traditional burial is the norm that cemeteries established generations ago with the idea of selling burial plots in 4 foot by 6 feet dimensions might need to think outside the box and innovate their product mix.

When you look at this page titled “Hollywood Forever Premium Services” it appears that is exactly what Hollywood Forever is doing to maximize the sales revenue of their 55 acres.  Here’s a few (of many) items listed on that page with the cemetery’s pricing for each item:

• Private Family Mausoleums:  $50,000 to $3.5 million
• Sylvan Lake Peninsula locations:  $3.85 million  (can be developed as a place for memorial statuary, sarcophagi, a private cremation estate for a family for many generations, or simply a burial space for those who deserve the best.)
• Bronze Statue in the Garden of Legends:  Starting at $95,000
• Sky Terraces at the Gower Mausoleum:  Starting at $1 million

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  I think cemeteries and funeral homes that realize the burgeoning “K”-shaped American economy can make adjustments to reel in greater profits.  Maybe pinpointing “specialized-premium” marketing efforts to zip codes or neighborhoods that have a propensity to purchase greater services could have an effect on the size of the average individual sale moving forward.

Pinpointing these neighborhoods or areas might be the perfect use for Artificial Intelligence in funeral and cemetery marketing.

Just last week Delta Airlines indicated that for the first time ever their premium sales will be going over their economy sales.  Here’s what was said in their announcement, “The airline could soon earn more from premium seating than from economy for the first time,” according to the airline’s president, Glen Hauenstein. He continued, “We see that there are many, many more opportunities in premium in the coming years.”

I think that is an indication that “the experience matters”.  And I think that Hollywood Forever is learning that the “experience” of using a cemetery is more valued than simply buying a 4 x 6 foot plot for burial.  It is interesting to note that Hollywood Forever Cemetery is actually offering free Direct Cremation (value of $3,450) to those that purchase a cremation niche, tree memorial, or plot by a certain date.  It is also interesting to think about how that type of practice by memorialization companies might affect the business of Direct Cremation providers going forward.

Service Corporation International’s CEO Thomas Ryan made this comment during the company’s 2nd Quarter 2025 Earnings Call in July that insinuates that they see the experiential value movement also, “comparable preneed cemetery sales production increased by almost $19 million or over 5%, driven by a healthy increase in large sales as well as a modest increase in core sales.”  (Emphasis by Funeral Director Daily)

I think the experiential value shown here could help bring a turn-around to the “lower revenue per services” if approached correctly by funeral homes.  There seems to be no doubt that just as I enjoy the premium experience of reclining seats at a movie theatre as compared to the old fixed-position seats, that some clientele of death care, services, and memorialization, are willing to pay premium prices for the “right experiences”. . . . . The question might be, “Is your funeral home or cemetery willing to offer those experiences?”

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