An estimated 620,000 metro Atlanta households may have a loved one’s ashes stored at home, based on national survey findings applied to local Census data. To assist families who do not currently have a long-term plan, Lincoln Cemetery is offering permanent placement in a designated mausoleum crypt on Saturday, October 17, 2026, as part of the inaugural National Cremation Placement Day.
Placement is provided at no charge with the purchase of a personalized memorial scroll for $995, plus sales tax. Participating families must contact the cemetery in advance to confirm eligibility and finalize arrangements.
Honoring Loved Ones with a Permanent Memorial
The event features a one-hour memorial and committal service from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Lincoln Cemetery, located at 2275 Joseph E. Boone Blvd. NW in Atlanta. The ceremony will incorporate reflection, prayer, a blessing of the ashes, and the formal reading of each loved one’s name prior to permanent placement.
Shayda Frost, owner of Lincoln Cemetery, emphasized the importance of the initiative, noting that as more families choose cremation, there is a growing need to guide them on long-term options for a loved one’s remains. Frost explained that many people are surprised to learn that cemeteries remain a flexible option after cremation, with choices including burial, columbarium niches, or mausoleum crypt entombment across various budgets.
The goal of the event is to increase awareness of these options, help prevent ashes from being forgotten or lost, and uphold the principle that everyone deserves a dignified memorial and permanent place of remembrance.
Addressing the Growing Need for Permanent Placement
The local estimate stems from research by the Cremation Association of North America and The Harris Poll, which revealed that 26% of U.S. households store a human loved one’s cremated remains at home. On average, households hold onto these ashes for over 6.5 years without a definitive plan for permanent placement.
Created by Coldspring, National Cremation Placement Day is an annual observance held on the third Saturday in October. The initiative seeks to raise public awareness around permanent placement and memorialization while providing communities a space to gather, honor loved ones, and reflect on their legacies.
Event Details and Registration Information
The service is open to Atlanta-area families seeking a permanent resting place for unplaced ashes. The memorial and committal service takes place Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Lincoln Cemetery, 2275 Joseph E. Boone Blvd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30314.
While permanent placement is provided at no charge, families must purchase a $995 personalized memorial scroll, plus sales tax, and complete arrangements prior to the event. To confirm eligibility and finalize plans, families can call (404) 792-2220, email info@lincolnmemorialgroup.com, or visit lincolnmemorialgroup.com/contact.
