Allen Ludden, best known as the longtime host of the television game show Password, is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California. He was interred alongside his wife, actress Betty White, following her private cremation and inurnment in the columbarium there. Ludden died in 1981 after a battle with cancer, and burial records, cemetery lot information, and interment documents confirm the location and associated memorial arrangements at this veterans-affiliated site.
Burial Location and Cemetery Details
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego, administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The cemetery serves as the final resting place for veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible family members. Allen Ludden's burial at Fort Rosecrans places him in a section designated for inurnment and ground burial consistent with Department of Veterans Affairs policies and available family plots.
Cemetery Features and Memorial Context
- Administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Located in Point Loma, San Diego, California
- Eligible for interment for veterans and qualifying family members
- Offers both inground burial and columbarium niches
- Provides memorial benefits and long-term site maintenance
Allen Ludden and Betty White Relationship Context
Allen Ludden was married to television personality and actress Betty White from 1963 until his death in 1981. Betty White died in 2021, with her remains inurned at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills. Though the couple are not buried together in a single gravesite, they are memorialized in adjacent arrangements that reflect their final resting places in California. This distinction is often the source of public clarification requests.
Death and Illness History
Allen Ludden's health declined following a diagnosis of stomach cancer, which led to his death on June 9, 1981, at the age of 63. He underwent treatment in the years prior to his passing, and his death was widely reported at the time by major news outlets. Understanding his medical history helps contextualize the timing and location of his burial arrangements.
Documented Records and Verification Sources
Information regarding Allen Ludden's burial is drawn from cemetery interment records, public death indexes, and obituary archives maintained by national and local institutions. These records support the accuracy of the stated burial location and associated details, and they serve as a reliable reference for status verification and genealogical research.
Verification Reference Table
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Allen Ludden | Obituary, Social Security Death Index |
| Burial Location | Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California | VA Interment Records, Cemetery Database |
| Date of Death | June 9, 1981 | Death Certificate, News Archives |
| Spouse (at time of death) | Betty White | Marriage Records, Obituaries |
| Cemetery Type | National Cemetery (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) | VA National Cemetery Inventory |
Public Memorial Practices and Legacy
Allen Ludden's burial at Fort Rosecrans reflects the cemetery's role in honoring veterans and their families, as well as practices surrounding high-profile public figures whose personal arrangements often attract renewed interest. His legacy is closely tied to game show history and his work with Betty White in television and charitable efforts. Clarification of burial details remains relevant for historical documentation and public interest inquiries.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
Some sources suggest alternative burial locations or family plots outside of Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Official cemetery records and death indexes confirm the interment at Fort Rosecrans. Distinctions between cremation, inurnment, and ground burial practices help explain discrepancies in publicly available information.
Evergreen Context and Continued Interest
Questions about Allen Ludden's burial location persist due to ongoing public interest in classic television figures and the enduring popularity of Betty White. This sustained curiosity supports the value of clear, factual explanations that draw on verifiable records rather than speculation or outdated references.