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Where is Freddie Mercury’s Final Resting Place? Only One Person Knows

Photo Credit: Steve Jennings / WireImage / Getty Images and The Name of the father / YouTube screengrab
Photo Credit: Steve Jennings / WireImage / Getty Images and The Name of the father / YouTube screengrab

Queen frontman Freddie Mercury was one of the world’s biggest stars, but his life was cut short in 1991 after he died following a battle with AIDS. To this day, no one knows where he is buried except his former girlfriend, Mary Austin. He and Mary remained close even after he revealed to her that he was gay, and he trusted only Mary to fulfill his final wish.

Freddie’s final wish

Freddie Mercury and Mary Austen
British singer, songwriter and record producer Freddie Mercury of British rock band Queen with his friend Mary Austin, during Mercury’s 38th birthday party at the Xenon nightclub, London, UK, September 1984. (Photo Credit: Dave Hogan / Getty Images)

Before he died, Freddie said, “if I want a pyramid in Kensington and I can afford it, I’ll have it.” But in reality, the singer requested the exact opposite. Instead of a big monument dedicated to the star’s resting place, he chose something entirely different.

Mary described how “he suddenly announced one day after Sunday lunch, ‘I know exactly where I want you to put me. But nobody is to know because I don’t want anyone to dig me up.’ Those were his exact words, ‘I just want to rest in peace.’”

When Freddie died on November 24, 1991, Mary knew she was going to fulfill his final wish and keep his burial place a secret.

An intimate funeral

Elton John, and the floral tribute he brought, at Freddie Mercury’s funeral at West London Crematorium, 27th November 1991. (Photo Credit: Nigel Wright / Mirrorpix / Getty Images and Photo by Nigel Wright / Mirrorpix / Getty Images)
Elton John, and the floral tribute he brought, at Freddie Mercury’s funeral at West London Crematorium, 27th November 1991. (Photo Credit: Nigel Wright / Mirrorpix / Getty Images and Photo by Nigel Wright / Mirrorpix / Getty Images)

Freddie wanted a small funeral where he would be given traditional Zoroastrian rites according to the customs of his ancestors. The entire ceremony was conducted in the historical language of Avestan, and it was held at the West London Crematorium. Less than 40 people were in attendance, including his Queen bandmates as well as Mary, Elton John, and Freddie’s partner Jim Hutton.

Following the cremation, Mary took his ashes and kept the urn in his old bedroom. She never went into that room as the space ignited too many vivid memories of Freddie in his deteriorated state. But after two years, Mary finally and secretly took the urn and brought Freddie to his final resting place.

Mary finally buries Freddie

Freddie Mercury and Mary Austen
Freddie Mercury, with girlfriend Mary Austin, at the Ivor Novello Awards in May 1987 where Queen won the award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music (Photo Credit: Dave Hogan / Hulton Archive / Getty Images)

Mary described the day she finally laid Freddie to rest, saying “one morning, I just sneaked out of the house with the urn. It had to be like a normal day, so the staff wouldn’t suspect anything – because staff gossip. They just cannot resist it. But nobody will ever know where he is buried because that was his wish.”

Mary believed that Freddie was worried that something would happen to his grave after he had passed. “He didn’t want anyone trying to dig him up as has happened with some famous people,” she explained. “Fans can be deeply obsessive – he wanted it to remain a secret and it will remain so.”

When Mary decided to finally bury Freddie’s ashes, she invited his parents to say final prayers for their son. However, she remains the only person to know where his final resting place is, as she didn’t even tell his parents where he wished to be placed.

Theories about his resting place

fans outside of Freddie Mercury's home
Fans gather outside the Kensington, West London, home of singer Freddie Mercury who died 24th November 1991. (Photo Credit: Arnold Slater / Mirrorpix / Getty Images)

There are many theories speculating about Freddie’s final resting place. One theory suggests that he was buried under the cherry blossom tree he loved to sit under while he was sick at his Garden Lodge mansion in Kensington. Others believe he was returned to Zanzibar, where he was born.

Another theory suggests that he is buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, as a plinth was erected there in 2015 in his memory. Some even believe that Mary has scattered the ashes and that the story of her slipping out of the Garden Lodge was just a ruse to throw fans off of the trace.

More from us: Freddie Mercury Saw the ‘Wayne’s World’ ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Scene Before His Death… Here’s What He Thought of It

We may never know where Freddie’s remains are. The only clues Mary has provided about the whereabouts of his final resting place indicate where he is not buried.

Samantha Franco

Samantha Franco is a Freelance Content Writer who received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Guelph, and her Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Western Ontario. Her research focused on Victorian, medical, and epidemiological history with a focus on childhood diseases. Stepping away from her academic career, Samantha previously worked as a Heritage Researcher and now writes content for multiple sites covering an array of historical topics.

In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading, knitting, and hanging out with her dog, Chowder!

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