You might think a man who lived as large as George Herman Ruth would be resting under a monument the size of a small stadium. Honestly, given how he basically invented the modern power hitter, you’d expect something flashy. But if you want to know where is Babe Ruth buried, you won't find him at Yankee Stadium or in some tucked-away corner of Baltimore.
He's in Westchester. Specifically, Hawthorne, New York.
He rests at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery. It’s a Roman Catholic burial ground that’s been around since 1917. If you’re driving up from the city, it’s only about 25 miles north of Manhattan. It’s a peaceful spot, but don't let the quiet fool you. This isn't just a grave; it's a pilgrimage site that never really sleeps. Even in the dead of winter, you’ll see a path worn through the snow leading right to Section 25.
Finding the Sultan of Swat at Gate of Heaven
Getting there is one thing; finding him is another. The cemetery is massive—over 190,000 people are interred here. If you’re looking for the specific coordinates, he’s in Section 25, Plot 1115.
The headstone is hard to miss once you're in the right area. It’s a large, upright granite monument featuring a life-sized carving of Jesus Christ with his arm around a young boy in a baseball uniform. It’s a bit sentimental, sure. But it fits the era. The epitaph on the stone was written by Cardinal Francis Spellman, a heavy hitter in the Church back then.
Who else is in the plot?
Babe isn't alone. His second wife, Claire Merritt Ruth, is buried right there with him. She passed away in 1976, nearly thirty years after the Babe. People often forget that Claire was a huge part of the "Babe Ruth" brand long after he stopped playing. She was the one who fiercely protected his legacy and made sure his name stayed synonymous with the game.
What it’s like to visit the grave today
If you visit, you’re going to see some weird stuff. In a good way.
Most people leave flowers at graves. Baseball fans? They leave tribute. You’ll see:
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- Cracked wooden bats leaning against the stone.
- Scuffed-up baseballs from Little League games.
- Yankees caps (and occasionally a Red Sox one, though usually as a "thank you" for 1918).
- Beer cans. Lots of them.
- Hot dogs. Yes, actual hot dogs in buns.
Cemetery workers like John Garry have seen it all. He once mentioned a fan leaving an entire pizza—sausage, peppers, and onions—to honor the Babe’s legendary appetite. It’s a bit of a mess for the groundskeepers, but they get it. They usually leave the items there for a while out of respect before clearing them out.
There's even a bus tour that stops by every year right before Opening Day. It’s become a sort of ritual. Fans show up in vintage jerseys, pour out a little bourbon, and talk to the stone like the guy can hear them. Honestly, it’s kind of moving.
The 1948 Funeral: A Send-off for a King
To understand why people still flock here, you have to look at what happened when he died. Ruth passed away from throat cancer on August 16, 1948. He was only 53.
The city didn't just have a funeral; it shut down.
His body lay in state at Yankee Stadium—the house he literally built—for two days. Think about that. Over 100,000 people filed past his mahogany casket. The line wrapped around the Bronx. People waited all night just for a two-second glimpse of the man who saved baseball.
The actual funeral service was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown. It rained that day. Hard. But 75,000 people stood outside in the downpour just to hear the service over the loudspeakers. When the hearse finally started the 30-mile drive up to Hawthorne, another 100,000 people lined the streets of Westchester to watch him pass.
Nearby Neighbors: Billy Martin and Lou Gehrig
If you make the trip to see where Babe Ruth is buried, you should know he’s got some famous company.
Just a short walk away in the same cemetery is Billy Martin, the fiery Yankees manager who couldn't stay away from the Bronx. His grave is also a popular stop for fans, though it's a bit more modest than the Babe's.
Interestingly, Ruth’s legendary teammate Lou Gehrig isn't at Gate of Heaven. He’s buried about a mile away at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla. Fans often do a "double header" and visit both on the same afternoon. It’s a heavy day of baseball history, but it puts the era of the "Murderers' Row" Yankees into perspective.
If you’re planning a visit:
- Check the hours: Gate of Heaven is typically open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Don't try to sneak in late; they have security.
- Respect the neighbors: It’s still an active cemetery. While the Babe’s fans are loud in spirit, the grounds should be kept quiet.
- Use the train: If you don't want to drive, the Metro-North Harlem Division stops at Mount Pleasant station, which is literally right next to the cemetery.
- Bring a ball: If you’re a fan, it’s almost a requirement to leave something. Just maybe skip the pizza—the local squirrels are already well-fed.
The reality is that Babe Ruth remains the biggest name in American sports history. Even 80 years after his death, the fact that people are still asking where is Babe Ruth buried proves he never really left the building. He just moved to a quieter stadium in Westchester.