Lincoln Cemetery to Offer Free Permanent Resting Place for Ashes on October 17 

One of Atlanta’s largest cemeteries is raising awareness to help prevent loved ones’ ashes from being forgotten or lost

Placement is offered at no charge with the purchase of a $995 personalized memorial scroll, plus sales tax

ATLANTA, Sept. 14, 2026 - An estimated 620,000 metro Atlanta households may have a loved one’s ashes at home, based on national survey findings applied to local Census data.

To help families without a long-term plan, Lincoln Cemetery will offer permanent placement in a designated mausoleum crypt on Saturday, Oct. 17, 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 complete arrangements with the cemetery in advance. 

The one-hour memorial and committal service will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. at Lincoln Cemetery, 2275 Joseph E. Boone Blvd. NW in Atlanta. The ceremony will include reflection, prayer, a blessing of the ashes and the reading of each loved one’s name before permanent placement.

“As more families choose cremation, there is a growing need to help them decide what to do with a loved one’s ashes,” said Raymond Burr, chief operating officer of Lincoln Cemetery. “Many people are surprised to learn that a cemetery is still an option after cremation. There is tremendous flexibility: ashes can be buried, placed in a columbarium niche or entombed in a mausoleum crypt, with choices available across a range of budgets. We want to raise awareness of these options, help prevent ashes from being forgotten, misplaced or lost, and reinforce a simple belief: everyone deserves a dignified memorial and a permanent place of remembrance.”

The Atlanta estimate is based on research by the Cremation Association of North America and The Harris Poll, which found that 26% of U.S. households had a human loved one’s cremated remains at home. On average, those households had kept the ashes for more than 6.5 years, and many did not have a firm plan for what would happen next.

Created by Coldspring, National Cremation Placement Day is an annual observance held on the third Saturday in October. It is intended to raise awareness of permanent placement and memorialization while bringing families and communities together to honor loved ones and reflect on their legacy.

Event Details

WHO: Atlanta-area families with a loved one’s ashes that have not been permanently placed

WHAT: National Cremation Placement Day memorial and committal service

WHEN: Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m.

WHERE: Lincoln Cemetery, 2275 Joseph E. Boone Blvd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30314

COST: Permanent placement at no charge with purchase of a $995 personalized memorial scroll, plus sales tax

ARRANGEMENTS: Families should contact Lincoln Cemetery before October 17 to confirm eligibility and complete arrangements. Call (404) 792-2220, email info@lincolnmemorialgroup.com or visit lincolnmemorialgroup.com/contact.