Rick Michel's Blog

There are many reasons for burying a memento with someone after they pass: they may have requested it; it could be something innately connected with them; it could even be for superstitious or religious reasons. Each reason is unique and personal. Here are a few Rat Packers and the items that went to the great beyond with them.

 Humphrey Bogart was the original Rat Pack leader, often hosting the group with Lauren Bacall in their Holmby Hills home. In his urn, a small, gold whistle that was once a part of a charm bracelet he had given to Bacall with the inscription, “If you want anything, just whistle,” was placed. These two were truly the epitome of romance.

 Sammy Davis, Jr. liked bling, but he valued his close friendship with Frank Sinatra even more, so it should come as no surprise that he was buried with a gold watch that was given to Sammy by Frank at the conclusion of The Ultimate Event tour of the late ‘80s. More than anything else, the Rat Pack represented friendship.

 It seems everything associated with Ol’ Blue Eyes became the stuff of legend, so his burial should be no different. Resting for eternity with his remains are a bottle of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, a pack of Camel cigarettes, a Zippo lighter, and a dollar’s worth of dimes. While the coins may have come in handy should The Voice have needed to pay the ferryman on his journey across the river Styx, they were reportedly placed there in case he needed to use a payphone.

 Burial usually happens at the height of emotion, often delivering the purest of acknowledgments and it was no different when the world had to say goodbye to these icons, but their legend will only expand As Time Goes By.