A Marilyn Monroe Funeral Program and Press Release

This original funeral program for the funeral of Marilyn Monroe, held on August 8, 1962, at Westwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.

Marilyn Monroe died on August 4, 1962, at the age of 36. In the days that followed, funeral arrangements were overseen by her former husband Joe DiMaggio, along with her half sister Berniece Miracle and her business manager Inez Melson. Together, they assumed responsibility for ensuring that Marilyn’s funeral was conducted privately and with dignity. The official funeral program was distributed to attendees and documents the details of the service. Programs such as this were printed in limited quantities and were not made available to the public. As a result, surviving examples represent rare primary source records directly connected to the funeral itself.

Accompanying the program is an official notice issued jointly by Joe DiMaggio, Berniece Miracle, and Inez Melson, intended to provide communication regarding Marilyn’s funeral and burial arrangements. It reflects the efforts of Marilyn’s family and closest associates to manage public attention while preserving the privacy of the service.The funeral itself was intentionally limited in attendance. Approximately 25 individuals were present, including close friends, family members, and a small number of professional associates.

Original funeral programs from Marilyn Monroe’s funeral are among the most historically important documents connected to her life and death. They provide direct documentation of the final arrangements made on her behalf.