On Nov. 7, 2026, Montrealers visited Leonard Cohen’s grave on Mount Royal and places linked to the late singer to mark 10 years since his death.
The Story
This Saturday, a steady stream of Montrealers visited Leonard Cohen’s grave on the northern slope of Mount Royal and some of his iconic haunts as they marked the 10th anniversary of his death.
Among them was Juan Merchan, who said he has made a ritual of visiting Cohen’s grave since arriving in Montreal in 2017. He said he goes twice a year, for Cohen’s birthday and for the anniversary of his death, and usually stays for about an hour—though he once remained for the entire afternoon.
Merchan said he often reflects on why he connects with Cohen’s work, reading from a collection of poems and spending time at the site. He said Cohen’s music touches on “most of the human sentiments” in a way that “not many artists have done.”
Cohen died in Los Angeles on Nov. 7, 2016, and was returned to Montreal to be laid to rest a few days later at the Congregation Shaar Hashomayim Cemetery, beside his parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.
The singer’s final resting place was covered with close to 100 roses, and visitors laid bouquets and other tributes. Above Cohen’s name was a small garland bearing the word “Hallelujah.”
Some visitors stood silently in front of the grave, while others sat nearby with earbuds in. Others also made the pilgrimage to Cohen’s house in the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood.
Students Claire Murrell and Ava Hester said they stopped in part to be near the place where Cohen grew up and drew inspiration for his writing. Murrell said she wanted to return to Montreal and be around Cohen’s early environment, adding that “it’s music that you can feel in your bones.”
A few steps from Cohen’s house, his song “Suzanne” was playing from Bagel Etc., where an employee said Cohen was a regular. A portrait hangs in the restaurant entrance, framed photos and DVDs display Cohen’s albums, and a plaque bearing his name sits by a red stool.
Murrell and Hester said they had lunch at the restaurant before heading up to Mount Royal to lay a rock on Cohen’s grave. Murrell said she hoped to meet people who might know stories about Cohen or share what his work has meant to them.
← More stories