The death of John Lennon will always be a confusing tragedy for music fans. It’s strange that, only hours before his death, Lennon was seen kindly handing an autograph to what appeared to be a harmless fan. However, when the gunman, Mark Chapman, was questioned about his conduct, his intentions added to the enigma.
Ever since that fatal day in December 1980, different theories about Chapman’s true purpose have been examined, argued, and disproved. Although some claim he shot the former Beatle because of his anti-religious ideas, this is primarily a hoax, and Lennon’s close relationship with organized religion may have contributed to his lack of funeral arrangements.
The reason for Lennon’s lack of a traditional funeral remains unknown, and there has been little discussion about it. In his will, the musician did not express a preference for cremation; however, he named his wife, Yoko Ono, as the sole inheritor of his estate, entrusting her with funeral arrangements.
Speculations about Ono’s decision center on the idea that Lennon’s opposition to organized religion impacted her. Given his lifelong aversion to celebrity, Lennon normally avoided the lavish spectacle that characterized Elvis Presley’s funeral. He likely anticipated that a real gravestone would attract unwanted attention. Lennon led a calm, measured life in his later years, so anything on a grand scale may have felt unnecessary.
Where is John Lennon buried?
Following Lennon’s death, his body was moved from the morgue to the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel on Madison and 81st Street in New York in a body bag. It was then brought to Ferncuff Mortuary in Hartsdale for cremation.
The singer’s ashes were dispersed throughout Central Park in New York City. Strawberry Fields, a memorial in the park, was dedicated on the late musician’s birthday, October 9th, 1985, to honor his life and legacy.
The memorial, located in Dakota, is embellished with a wonderful mosaic spelling out the word “Imagine“. The word represents Lennon’s iconic song as well as his goal of peace and harmony.
Who attended John Lennon’s cremation?
There is no definite evidence of who attended Lennon’s cremation, only that it was a private occasion organized by Ono. It is assumed that Lennon’s son, Sean Ono Lennon, was simply unable to attend, but the exact reasons for Ono’s exclusion of John’s children and former bandmates from his cremation are unknown.
At the time, Ono simply issued a press release indicating that there would be a vigil to honor Lennon’s legacy: “Later this week, we will set the time for a silent vigil to pray for his soul,” she wrote. “We invite you to participate wherever you are at the time.”
Nearly 30 years after his death, Ono appeared on an episode of BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs to discuss her husband’s final moments. Lennon and Ono had their final discussion in the car as they drove back from The Record Plant. “I said, ‘Shall we go and have dinner before we go home?'” said Ono. “And John said, ‘No, let’s go home because I want to see Sean before he goes to sleep.'”
