Where is John Lennon buried? John Lennon was never buried, he was cremated at the Ferncliff Cemetery and his ashes scattered by Yoko Ono in Central Park. There is a memorial named after “Strawberry Fields” there which fans can visit to pay their respects.
The Strawberry Fields memorial
Built five years later, which stands within Central Park and in sight of his home in his honor, is a place where fans can visit and feel closer to their hero.
This was in the same approximate spot and is considered to be the official gravesite that people can visit to pay their respects. The famous Imagine mosaic, the centerpiece of the memorial area, is a gift from the Italian city of Naples.
Strawberry Fields memorial ceremony & meaning
The groundbreaking ceremony for Strawberry Fields was held on March 21, 1984 with Yoko Ono and Lennon’s sons Julian and Sean in attendance.
A bronze plaque, that was unveiled at the dedication ceremony, lists 121 countries that endorse this Garden of Peace. The world is a more peaceful place because John Lennon helped make it so with his music!
Imagine, the world if there was no violence. Imagine a life without war or poverty. The idea for Strawberry Fields came to Yoko Ono in 1966 when she and John Lennon were walking around outside of New York City’s Central Park on their own private “night patrol” as they called it, trying to find some peace amidst all the bustle going about them that night.
She then conceived an ancient mosaic design found in Naples with one word- imagine– placed at its center which locals have delightedly worked together this project alongside artisans from Italy who faithfully copied her chosen design upon arrival back home after traveling overseas.
A fitting memorial stone for John Lennon
Where the song’s lyrics used to be, is now just empty space so anyone can imagine anything and everything they want there instead including their own personal memories with John Lennon which may never have happened or likely did happen.
Where the word “imagine” ends, locals have planted roses and other flowers. Children play nearby while adults take in the atmosphere or perhaps a quiet moment of their own to meditate and simply be grateful for peace being brought about with John Lennon still in mind from time to time.
Who decided to create a memorial garden for John?
Yoko Ono has been the creative force behind John Lennon’s memorial in Central Park. She collaborated with landscape architect, Bruce Kelly to create a fitting tribute for her late husband that is more nature-led than culture-led.
As Imagine mosaic designer Yoko Ono describes, “this place serves as a sanctuary of peace and tranquility for many who visit”.
The garden of hopes and dreams
Yoko Ono also sees this place as a garden of hopes and dreams, a place where anyone can feel increased self-worth during their visit.
She states that it is up to individual interpretation as there are many who do not even realize what this place represents today above all else in the world besides being a simple memorial for an artist we all have come to cherish over the years now gone by.
Imagine what it would be like to encounter a famous and beloved Beatles song in the form of an ancient mosaic? Imagine walking down Strawberry Fields Lane and seeing your favorite words spelled out with stone. Well, thanks to Yoko Ono for sharing her vision Naples has become known as “Strawberry Fields.”
The peace garden in Central Park
In 1979, artist Yoko Ono created a peace garden in Central Park. The idea for the park was conceived of when she realized that trees were her only defense against noise pollution and traffic congestion.
Yoko asks for donations
In August 1981, Ono placed letters in various newspapers asking countries around the world to donate native plants or fruit bearing plants so they could be planted at this new peace oasis located on 8 acres near Belvedere Castle (to honor John Lennon).
Eventually over 1 million people donated from all corners of the globe – including Great Britain who sent an Oak tree; Monaco which contributed Dogwoods; Holland with Tulip bulbs and Maples from Canada among many other donations like strawberries grown by volunteers working alongside city horticulturists as well as seeds supplied
So how do you find The Strawberry Fields memorial?
It’s located at what used to be the New York City’s old strawberry fields, near West 72nd Street between Central Park West and Broadway. You’ll see a plaque on one of the trees with his name on it as well as some plaques commemorating other people who have passed away at this location before him
What are some other things that make up Strawberry Fields?
The area is shaded by elm trees and provides many benches for visitors to relax; it’s a quiet place where you can find peace in your mind while taking time out from life’s roar or just “imagine.”
Strawberry Fields offers an opportunity to reflect quietly. Within its borders there exists what has been dubbed as a “quiet zone” within Central Park. In exchange for donating generously (or getting sponsored) one can have their name inscribed onto one of these donated plaques that line some of the trees in this special outdoor area.
Why didn’t John Lennon have a funeral?
Although Yoko knew that John had so many fans, she was concerned that The Dakota Building (which is where their apartment in New York is located) would be overwhelmed with people and might want that time for herself and her son.
John’s family didn’t want a funeral either because they were not sure how many people would show up and who would be able to gain access. They also felt that the funeral should take place closer to Liverpool where he grew up.
Did the Beatles go to John’s funeral?
No, they did not. In reality, none of The Beatles attended John’s funeral because there was no formal funeral.
Why was John Lennon cremated?
John Lennon left specific instructions to not be cremated. Despite the fact, that John wanted to be buried in England, Yoko chose to burn the Beatle, because Yoko disliked western burial customs.
Yoko Ono still lives in the Dakota and her windows overlook the Imagine mosaic at 72nd street and Central Park West. While there is a famous song with that name, it was not always so recognized- before she met Lennon, Yoko’s artwork often portrayed this concept of imagining peace. In 1980 John Lennon said “a lot of it [the lyric] came from Yoko.”
Imagine
In an interview shortly before he died John admitted: “A lot of people think ‘Imagine’ is just talking about nice things all day long but…It’s like taking reality on its head to show what can be done.”
In 2017, the National Music Publishers Association announced that Ono would share songwriting credits for Lennon’s “Imagine.” In a statement released by the NMPA on October 9th of this year, it was confirmed that Yoko will be receiving credit as an author and publisher alongside John Lennon in regards to his enduring hit from 1971.
The announcement is monumental because according to Rolling Stone Magazine there have been text-based copyright disputes surrounding ownership rights since 1973 when Apple Records refused to acknowledge Yoko’s role in writing “Imagine”.
In Conclusion
Where was John Lennon buried? He was never actually buried, but cremated and his ashes scattered by Yoko Ono in Central Park. There is a Strawberry Fields Memorial there that fans can visit to pay their respects. Wherever you may be in the world, if you feel like paying your respects to John Lennon, you can visit his memorial in Central Park, New York. Wherever you are don’t forget to Imagine Peace!
