Inaugurated in 1991, Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica is the tallest cemetery in the world according to the Guinness World Records. It is about 108 meters, with 14 floors, and occupies a total of 1.8 hectares of land. The vertical graveyard is located in Santos, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and contains about 16,000 tombs in drawers. The construction of the graveyard began in 1983, and the first burial was in 1984.
The famous Brazilian football player Pelé was buried in Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica on 3 January 2023. The famous musicians Chorão and Champignon were also buried there following their deaths in 2013.
The founder of the modernist necropolis is Pepe Altstut, an Argentinian businessman. The tombs inside have gas aspiration, drainage, and humidity control.
Besides crypts, there is a crematorium, mausoleum, service rooms, and a rooftop cafe. There is even a classic car museum together with a tropical garden with a waterfall. Pelé’s resting place on the ninth floor watches over Urbano Caldeira Stadium, the home field of Santos FC, for which Pele played for 18 years.
Due to demand, the graveyard keeps expanding and growing. Today, another 22-story building is under construction.
Tomb of Pelé
