2024-12-11T16:30:21-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150334383/soccer-legend-pel-is-laid-to-rest-inside-world-s-tallest-cemetery-in-santos-brazil Josh Niland 2023-01-04T11:49:00-05:00 >2023-01-04T15:35:49-05:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/42/42abfd38c01fa4fe0b5864eddce88d11.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><em><p>Pel&eacute; was a footballer like no other, and his final resting place will be exceptional too: a large replica stadium complete with artificial turf inside the world&rsquo;s tallest vertical cemetery. The Brazilian football great, whose funeral was held Tuesday, bought his mausoleum 19 years ago inside the Memorial Ecumenical Cemetery, a high-rise building that holds the Guinness world record as the tallest cemetery in the world.</p></em><br /><br /><p>The &ldquo;King of Football&rsquo;s&rdquo; 2,152-square-foot crypt is located inside the 32-story, 430,000-square-foot first-ever vertical cemetery in the world that features amenities like a 24/7 restaurant and indoor aviary.&nbsp;</p> <p>Pel&eacute; said the apartment block-esque building offered more &ldquo;spiritual peace and tranquility&rdquo; over traditional graveyards. He was laid to rest alongside a former teammate, other family members, and the building&rsquo;s 16,000-plus residents.&nbsp;</p> <p>The funeral also provided Brazil's new President <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/03/brazil-president-lula-joins-mourners-paying-tribute-to-pele-before-funeral" target="_blank">first</a> public appearance while his predecessor watched in exile at a lesser-known sports champion's <a href="https://www.riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/modern-day-censorship/bolsonaro-stays-at-jose-aldos-mansion-in-the-united-states-see-details-of-the-house/" target="_blank">manse</a> in Orlando.&nbsp;</p>