On May 25, 1994, the ashes of 71-year-old George Swanson are
buried (according to Swanson’s request) in the driver’s seat of
his 1984 white Corvette in Irwin, Pennsylvania.
Swanson, a beer distributor and former U.S. Army sergeant during
World War II, died the previous March 31 at the age of 71.
He had reportedly been planning his automobile burial for some
time, buying 12 burial plots at Brush Creek Cemetery, located 25
miles east of Pittsburgh, in order to ensure that his beloved
Corvette would fit in his grave with him.
After his death, however, the cemetery balked, amid concerns
of vandalism and worries that other clients would be offended
by the outlandish nature of the burial.
They finally relented after weeks of negotiations, but insisted
that the burial be private, and that the car be drained of fluids
to protect the environment.
