About Rose Hills

California, the Golden State, is a land of diverse beauty and opportunity. Known for its stunning coastline, majestic mountains, expansive deserts, and vibrant cities, California offers something for everyone. Home to iconic destinations like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, the state is a cultural and economic powerhouse, celebrated for its entertainment industry, innovation in technology, and world-class wine regions. From the towering redwoods of the north to the sun-soaked beaches of the south, California is a dynamic state that attracts millions of visitors and residents seeking adventure, opportunity, and an unmatched quality of life.

Rose Hills is a unique and expansive unincorporated community in Los Angeles County, primarily recognized for being the home of Rose Hills Memorial Park—the largest cemetery in North America. Located near the City of Whittier in the southern San Gabriel Valley, the area is both a serene resting place and a notable cultural site with deep historical and spiritual significance to the region. Covering over 1,400 acres, Rose Hills Memorial Park dominates the landscape, spreading across the Puente Hills and offering panoramic views of the San Gabriel Valley and Downtown Los Angeles on clear days. Founded in 1914, the cemetery has become a multicultural hub for remembrance, hosting more than 400,000 interments and offering burial traditions from various faiths and cultural backgrounds, including Christian, Buddhist, Taoist, and secular services. One of the most striking landmarks is the SkyRose Chapel, a hilltop building used for funeral services and events. The chapel, designed with dramatic architecture and stained glass, has become a visual and spiritual focal point in the region. Nearby, the Buddhist Columbarium and Chinese Memorial Garden reflect the area’s deep ties to LA’s Asian American community, offering culturally specific spaces for rituals, remembrance, and ancestral respect. While the cemetery dominates public perception of Rose Hills, the surrounding community—sometimes referred to as the Rose Hills neighborhood or Rose Hills Estates—includes residential enclaves with hillside homes, gated developments, and pockets of semi-rural character. The location’s elevation offers sweeping vistas and relative seclusion, attracting those who value privacy and quiet. Rose Hills sits adjacent to major roadways like Workman Mill Road and the Pomona Freeway (60), giving it convenient access to Whittier, Hacienda Heights, and El Monte. This proximity makes it a pass-through point for commuters, though traffic is generally light and the area remains calm due to the absence of major commercial centers. Educational services in the area are provided by the Whittier City School District and the Whittier Union High School District. Students often attend schools in neighboring communities, while local families appreciate the balance between accessibility and tranquility the area offers. Rose Hills is also near several points of natural interest. Sycamore Canyon Trail and nearby Turnbull Canyon are popular for hiking and biking, while the adjacent Puente Hills Preserve provides protected green space and habitats for wildlife. These trails also offer moments of reflection for cemetery visitors and local residents alike. Though it lacks traditional commercial zoning or city-style infrastructure, Rose Hills holds a unique place in the Los Angeles County landscape. It serves not just as a burial site, but as a place where memory, spirituality, and culture converge. Its vast grounds, multicultural inclusivity, and scenic beauty make it more than a cemetery—it’s a quiet symbol of LA’s ethnic and historical diversity. For those who live in its hills or visit to honor loved ones, Rose Hills is a solemn, sacred place that reflects the human desire to remember, preserve, and connect across generations.