Meet Me Graveside

About Meet Me Graveside

Meet Me Graveside tells the stories of Southern California's cemeteries. Sometimes scandalous, sometimes surprising, and always enthralling, you'll get to know these graveyards like never before. You'll also hear conversations about death and cemetery-adjacent topics. If you love cemeteries, are curious about their histories, and/or are death positive, this show is for you!

Publisher

Francine Rios

Category

history · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

26 Sept 2025

Latest episode

1 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

11 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Jul 2026

   S2 E6: Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park Part 2

   ***Content note*** This episode contains discussions of suicide and sexual abuse. Please take care while listening. If you need help navigating your mental health, resources for support are below. For those who have experienced sexual abuse or assault RAINN National Sexual Abuse Hotline: Call 800.656.HOPE In addition to the hotline, RAINN offers online chat and text options (https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/). For those struggling with suicidal ideation or attempts Warmlines that don't involve police intervention are available. See the full list and additional information from Inclusive Therapists here. (Updated 9/1/25) Blackline: 1-800-604-5841 This line centers BIPOC, LGBTQ+ people and Black Femmes. Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 (US) 1-877-330-6366 (Canada) By & for trans folks in English & español. Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line: 1-888-407-4515 Provides trained peer support. Fireside Project: 1-623-250-7393 Provides support during & after psychedelic experiences. LGBT National Help Center: 1-888-843-4564 Confidential support for LGBTQIA+ folks. StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483 Provides support for Native Americans experiencing intimate partner or sexual violence. — This is part 2 of our 2-part episode on the story of Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park. This episode focuses on the life, death, and private funeral of Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe. You'll also learn about what's been happening with the cemetery in more recent times. This is the last episode for season 2! The show will return in the fall with more cemetery stories. Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack Music and sound credits: Theme song and additional music by Nabeyin "Cinematic Piano - Sentimental Melancholy" by Sonican on Pixabay "Big Band Swing" by Alban_Gogh on Pixabay "Sneaky Feet" by geoffharvey on Pixabay "Pink Silence - Piano Solo" by the Lux-aeterna on Pixabay "After School Keyboard Club" by melodyayresgriffiths on Pixabay "The Asphalt Jungle (1950) Official Trailer" by Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXrP6Uo4nUI) on Youtube

2. 

   26 Jun 2026

   S2 E5: Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park Part 1

   ***Content note*** This episode contains a mention of suicide. Please take care while listening. If you need help navigating your mental health, resources for support are below. Warmlines that don't involve police intervention See the full list and additional information from Inclusive Therapists here: https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/blog/suicide-mental-health-crisis-resources-not-police (Updated 9/1/25) Blackline: 1-800-604-5841 This line centers BIPOC, LGBTQ+ people and Black Femmes. Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 (US) 1-877-330-6366 (Canada) By & for trans folks in English & español. Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line: 1-888-407-4515 Provides trained peer support. Fireside Project: 1-623-250-7393 Provides support during & after psychedelic experiences. LGBT National Help Center: 1-888-843-4564 Confidential support for LGBTQIA+ folks. StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483 Provides support for Native Americans experiencing intimate partner or sexual violence. — After a bit of a delay, Meet Me Graveside is back with another 2-part episode! Today, you'll hear the story of Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park. It's known for being the final resting place for Marilyn Monore, among many other stars. While Marilyn's burial certainly plays a big role in the cemetery's history, she's not the only person who has helped shape this place. For the first part of this two-part series, we are going to learn about a family of brothers who sought to rule a funeral empire. Come back on June 30 for part 2, when you'll learn all about Marilyn Monroe's life, death, and burial at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park. Plus, you'll hear about what the cemetery has been up to in more recent times. Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meetmegraveside/ Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack: https://meetmegraveside.substack.com/ Music credits: Theme song by Nabeyin "Country Music" by Maksym Malko on Pixabay "The Star Spangled Banner" by moodmode on Pixabay "Splat" by GoldenSoundLabs on Pixabay "The Mighty Bruins (Singing)" by the UCLA Bruin Marching Band on Youtube

3. 

   22 May 2026

   S2 E4: Cemetery Side Quest: The Scary Stories of Spadra Cemetery

   It's time for a cemetery side quest! This time, we are in our Midnight Society bag with a compilation of ghost stories from Spadra Cemetery. A spirit casually walking down the street late at night, babies laughing and crying, the feeling of evil following you home, a vampire, and even… a first date? When it comes to scary stories, Spadra Cemetery truly has it all. So, grab your emotional support snacks and get ready to get spooked. If you missed the first episode about Spadra Cemetery, check out episode 3 for all the historical tea! Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meetmegraveside/ Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack: https://meetmegraveside.substack.com/ Music credits: Theme song by Nabeyin "Promised Ambience" by AdamKlimt on Pixabay "Scary Horror Creepy Music" by HitsLab on Pixabay "Eerie Dark Ambience for Tension and Suspense" by TrenoX8 (https://pixabay.com/users/trenox8-48298413/) on Pixabay "Horror Ambience" by AtlasAudio on Pixabay "End of the World (Creepy Music Box)" by Kuzu420 on Pixabay "Near Danger" by GuilhermeBernardes on Pixabay "Horror Suspense Background" by BFCMUSIC on Pixabay "Creepy Trap" by Ivantraveso on Pixabay

4. 

   8 May 2026

   S2 E3: Spadra Cemetery

   Spadra Cemetery is one of Southern California's hidden cemeteries that not many people know about. Wedged near the 57 and 10 Freeways in Pomona, this cemetery is one of two landmarks that remain from Spadra, a once active place that became a ghost town by the turn of the twentieth century. But now, a major housing development is threatening the cemetery and its surrounding areas. In this episode, you'll learn all about Spadra's history, and how advocates are fighting to protect the cemetery. You can help by emailing the City of Pomona, even if you're not a resident. Click here (https://www.pomonahistorical.org/projects-6) for more information. Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meetmegraveside/ Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack: https://meetmegraveside.substack.com/ Music and sound credits: "She Wants My Guitar" by Fresh_Morning on Pixabay "Scary Creepy Horror Music" by HitsLab on Pixabay Theme song and all additional music by Nabeyin The clip of the Raging Waters commercial comes from Cow Missing on Youtube Bongo and screaming sound effects by freesound_community on Pixabay Research sources: Most of the research for this episode comes from the archives of the LA Times and the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library. Additional research comes from the Historical Society of Pomona Valley and The Homestead Museum.

5. 

   24 Apr 2026

   S2 E2: Mountain View Cemetery Part 2

   In this episode, we are diving into part 2 of our story on Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, California. This episode specifically focuses on the Eaton Fire, and how the cemetery was – and continues to be – impacted. Keith Brown, the cemetery's operations manager and 6th generation of his family to help run the cemetery, tells us all about the night the fire started, the damage the cemetery sustained, and how they are bouncing back. He also shares a poignant story about how the cemetery helped protect some neighborhoods and homes in Altadena. You can read more about this part of the story in the New York Times here. There are families who still need help recovering from the Eaton Fire. You can contribute to their donation funds below: Displaced Black Families GoFundMe Directory from Community Aid Dena Eaton Fire Collaborative Wildfire Recovery Fund (https://www.calfund.org/funds/wildfire-recovery-fund/) from the California Community Foundation Altadena Eaton Fire Relief Fund on GoFundMe As you'll hear, the cemetery is also still recovering from the fire damage. So far they've only reached 7% of their $125,000 goal. You can help them meet their goal by donating here. Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meetmegraveside/ Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack: https://meetmegraveside.substack.com/ Music credits: "Innovations" by Musinova on Pixabay "Sad Ambient" by PaulYudin on Pixabay Theme song and all additional music by Nabeyin News clip credit: ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC-TV)

6. 

   10 Apr 2026

   S2 E1: Mountain View Cemetery Part 1

   Welcome to season 2 of Meet Me Graveside! We are kicking things off with our first ever two-part episode. These episodes will focus on Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, California. Part 1 takes us way back to the horse and buggy days of Altadena, and our tour guides will be Jay and Keith Brown. This father-son duo represents the 5th and 6th generations to run the family cemetery. Jay will get you acquainted with the cemetery's origins through the 1980s, and Keith will roam around the cemetery with us. Come back for part 2 on April 24, when Keith tells us his stories of defending the cemetery the night that the Eaton Fire broke out in January 2025, and how the cemetery has been recovering since. Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: @meetmegraveside Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack: https://meetmegraveside.substack.com/ Music credits: "Americana Old Country" by Tunetank on Pixabay "Homeward Bound by John Philip Sousa" by Nesrality on Pixabay "Sugar Rush" by OctoSound on Pixabay "A Hundred Windows" by Back_Drop on Pixabay Theme song and all additional music by Nabeyin Additional research sources: Mountain View Cemetery website (https://www.mtn-view.com/about-us/) The Giddings Family: Pasadena Digital History: Giddings First Home Pasadena Digital History: Giddings Sisters Altadena Heritage Water and Power Associates The New York Times Ohio History Connection Col. Jabez Banbury: Wikipedia Pasadena Digital History: Col. Jabez Banbury Pasadena Star News The Woodbury Family: National Archives Catalog Christmas Tree Lane history Ellen Garrison Clark: Altadena Library

7. 

   23 Dec 2025

   BONUS EPISODE! A Spooky Christmas Story

   It's a surprise bonus episode of Meet Me Graveside! Francine gets in the spooky holiday spirit with "The Ones He Takes," a short story written by Benjamin Percy for the Christmas and Other Horrors anthology. You'll hear the story of a boy who mysteriously disappeared last Christmas and arrived home one year later. What happened to this child? Where was he for a year? And why is Santa so scary in this story?! Listen to find out. Enjoy and happy holidays! Meet Me Graveside is produced and hosted by Francine Rios, with music by Nabeyin. Additional music for this episode comes from FreePD.com (http://freepd.com) (RIP 😢). Sound for this episode comes from the following Freesound.org contributors: MaestroALF Beerbelly38 Sinatra314 Davor 15GPanskaBokstefflove_Nicola Robinhood76 RavenWolfProds Zuggamasta Garuda1982 UdoS Lunardrive Leftovertunacasserole Soundscape_Leuphana DeVern Amarks33 Opticaillusions MathewHenry Moloch777 Vrymaa 16GPanskaSibinska_N florianreichelt Randbsoundbites greatsoundstube LamaMakesMusic khcm1157 Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: @meetmegraveside Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack: https://meetmegraveside.substack.com/

8. 

   21 Nov 2025

   Season 1 Reflections

   Francine is back with an important announcement: season 1 of Meet Me Graveside has come to an end! But before the season wraps up, Francine shares her reflections on what it's been like to launch a podcast and why you should launch yours, as well as reflections about death and cemeteries. Meet Me Graveside will return in 2026 with a fresh set of cemetery stories! We only get one life, so let's be good to each other while we're here. Please support the causes below however you can (see a full list on the Meet Me Graveside substack): Support a free Palestine and learn about other active genocides Learn and keep talking about the genocides happening in Palestine, the Congo and Sudan. Donate to UNICEF to reach children and families on the ground in Gaza. UNICEF also has a fund set up to help children worldwide, including children in the Congo and children in Sudan (https://www.unicef.org/appeals/south-sudan). Keep fighting anti-Black racism Donate to Black Lives Matter Grassroots LA or your local BLM chapter. Support Black XMas this holiday season. You can also check out the Buy From a Black Woman Directory. Fuck ICE Donate to the Los Angeles Neighbors Support Fund to help with food and cash assistance for families impacted by ICE raids. Stop ICE Raids Network - Report ICE activity wherever you are nationwide or donate to the Stop ICE Raids Alert System. Stand in solidarity with trans people and youth Donate to the TransLatin@ Coalition, where they foster the empowerment of  Transgender, Gender Expansive, and Intersex (TGI) immigrant women in L.A. Learn and understand more about the experiences of trans people and youth with the Trevor Project's Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Young People. ---- Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: @meetmegraveside Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack.

9. 

   24 Oct 2025

   Cemetery Sidequest with Dr. Christian Seiter: Can profanity ease end of life discussions?

   It's time for our first Cemetery Sidequest episode! Today, we're asking the question: Can irreverent, profane humor make end-of-life discussions easier? Dr. Christian Seiter, assistant professor in the Department of Human Communication Studies at Cal State Fullerton, has explored this exact question. He shares his surprising findings with us, and tells us more about how he became a death positive scholar, how generational differences can impact perspectives on death, and more. Learn more about Dr. Seiter's work here. Dr. Seiter also gives ghost tours with Haunted OC! Learn more here. Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: @meetmegraveside Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter (https://meetmegraveside.substack.com/) on Substack.

10. 

    10 Oct 2025

    The Homestead Family Museum's El Campo Santo

    ***Content note*** This episode contains discussions of suicide and murder suicide. Please take care while listening. If you need help navigating your mental health, resources for support are below. Warmlines that don't involve police intervention See the full list and additional information from Inclusive Therapists here: https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/blog/suicide-mental-health-crisis-resources-not-police (Updated 9/1/25) Blackline: 1-800-604-5841 This line centers BIPOC, LGBTQ+ people and Black femmes. Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 (US) 1-877-330-6366 (Canada) By & for trans folks in English & español. Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line: 1-888-407-4515 Provides trained peer support. Fireside Project: 1-623-250-7393 Provides support during & after psychedelic experiences. LGBT National Help Center: 1-888-843-4564 Confidential support for LGBTQIA+ folks. StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483 Provides support for Native Americans experiencing intimate partner or sexual violence. — Welcome to episode 2! Meet Me Graveside takes a tour of El Campo Santo, the family cemetery at the Workman and Temple Family Homestead Museum in the City of Industry. This is where Francine's love for cemeteries began. You'll learn about the Workman and Temple family, how their cemetery has transformed over the years, who is buried there, and more. Learn more about the Homestead Museum and their upcoming Tombstone Tales event on Oct. 18: homesteadmuseum.org. — Follow Meet Me Graveside on Instagram: @meetmegraveside Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack: https://meetmegraveside.substack.com/

11. 

    26 Sept 2025

    Hollywood Forever Cemetery

    Welcome to the first episode of Meet Me Graveside! To kick things off, we're starting with the story of L.A.'s most famous cemetery: Hollywood Forever. From scandal, to near abandonment, and finally redemption, this beloved graveyard is not just home to dead Hollywood royalty; it has an epic story all its own. Subscribe for free to the Meet Me Graveside newsletter on Substack: https://meetmegraveside.substack.com/

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

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