Coldspring Announces ‘National Cremation Placement Day’ Observance
Coldspring has announced a new initiative it is calling National Cremation Placement Day,which it has officially registered as a new national observance. This day will take place for the first time on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, and will be observed annually on the third Saturday in October.
Created in recognition of the 150th anniversary of cremation in America, National Cremation Placement Day is designed to raise awareness of the importance of permanent placement and memorialization of cremated remains. It creates an opportunity for education, remembrance and community involvement, while giving families a compassionate way to honor loved ones and make decisions about placement when they are ready.
The observance:
- Brings national attention to the emotional, psychological, and social importance of placing cremated remains in a permanent cemetery or memorial setting.
- Encourages community memorial services across the country that honor loved ones and support healthy grief.
- Addresses a long-standing gap in public education regarding what happens after cremation.
- Provides families with a compassionate opportunity to bring cremated remains to a place of honor and remembrance.
To help build awareness, Coldspring encourages memorial professionals to plan and host local observances, share information with their communities, and support families in taking meaningful steps toward permanent placement.
To support participation nationwide, the company has developed a collection of resources, including planning guides, promotional materials, and community outreach tools. These tools are available on its new resource page.
This page is designed to support cemeteries and funeral homes as they plan and promote National Cremation Placement Day within their communities, with ready-to-use materials that make it easy to communicate the purpose of the day, raise awareness, and encourage participation.
Girl Scout Creates New Jersey’s First QR-Code Revolutionary War Cemetery Tour
A Girl Scout from Cedar Grove, New Jersey has introduced what local organizers believe is New Jersey’s first self-guided Revolutionary War cemetery tour that uses QR codes, unveiling the permanent exhibit on June 20 at historic Bloomfield Cemetery as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, TAPinto Verona/Cedar Grove reported.
Laura Capezio, who recently graduated from Mount Saint Dominic Academy, devoted more than a year and a half to creating the project, titled Remembering Our Revolutionary War Patriots. Visitors can now use their smartphones to scan QR codes positioned throughout the cemetery, providing immediate access to historical information about Revolutionary War patriots buried there and their connections to the surrounding communities.
The dedication ceremony also served as a joint commemoration of America’s Semiquincentennial, hosted by Bloomfield Cemetery and the Major Joseph Bloomfield Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The organization partnered with cemetery superintendent Mary Jones to mentor and support the project. Jones said the interactive tour is believed to be the first QR-code-guided Revolutionary War cemetery tour in New Jersey.
According to DAR chapter regent Bonnie Sharkey, the concept for the tour originated with Capezio, although the desire for a self-guided experience had existed for years. Jones and Sharkey began discussing the possibility following the dedication of the cemetery’s Revolutionary War monument in 2023. The project gained momentum after Beth Capezio, Laura’s mother and longtime Girl Scout troop leader, joined the DAR and mentioned that her daughter was searching for a Gold Award project. When Sharkey proposed developing a self-guided cemetery tour, Laura expanded on the idea by suggesting QR codes as the foundation for the experience.
The Remembering Our Revolutionary War Patriots tour is now permanently open to visitors at Bloomfield Cemetery, located at 383 Belleville Ave. in Bloomfield.
Volunteer-Led Revival Rescues Houston’s Oldest Black Cemetery from Decades of Neglect
Houston’s oldest incorporated African American cemetery had nearly disappeared beneath dense vegetation when Margott Williams first visited her grandfather’s grave in 2003. What should have been a place of remembrance instead resembled an overgrown forest, with no signs, parking area or visible indication that it was a historic burial ground, according to a Houstonia magazine article.
Williams soon learned that the neglected property was Olivewood Cemetery, founded in 1875, just a decade after Emancipation reached Texas. The cemetery serves as the final resting place for many of Houston’s earliest Black civic and religious leaders, including Richard Brock, a formerly enslaved man who purchased the cemetery property and later became one of Houston’s first Black aldermen; the Rev. Elias Dibble, the first Black minister ordained in Texas and founder of one of Houston’s oldest Black churches; and J. Vance Lewis, one of the state’s first Black attorneys.
As Williams researched the cemetery, she came to understand its broader historical importance. The site reflects the determination of formerly enslaved people who built thriving communities, established churches and institutions, and searched for relatives separated during slavery. The cemetery stands as a lasting symbol of their resilience, literacy, community organization and family connections in the years following emancipation.
Covering approximately 5.5 acres, Olivewood contains more than 400 documented family plots and is believed to hold the remains of roughly 5,000 individuals. Although it was once considered an impressive cemetery featuring elaborate monuments and statuary, decades of neglect and repeated flooding had concealed many of its most notable features by the time Williams first arrived.
Determined to improve the conditions at Olivewood, Williams began contacting city departments, county offices and appraisal officials to determine who owned the property and who was responsible for maintaining it. Those inquiries yielded few answers. The cemetery was classified as private property, but ownership records had largely disappeared over time, with the only identifiable owners being the cemetery’s original incorporators, all of whom were buried there.
Unable to accept the cemetery’s continued deterioration, Williams took matters into her own hands.
Officials in Bryan, Texas Consider Ban on Metal Benches at City Cemetery
Families with metal memorial benches at Bryan City Cemetery in Bryan, Texas may soon have to remove them if the Bryan City Council approves a proposed policy change scheduled for consideration in July, 25 ABC reported.
The proposal would prohibit the installation of new metal benches throughout the cemetery while giving owners of existing benches six months to remove them.
According to city officials, the recommendation stems from safety and maintenance concerns. Strong winds have caused some metal benches to tip over, creating potential hazards for nearby headstones, burial plots and visitors. Officials also say aging benches have developed rust, increasing maintenance challenges for cemetery staff.
Parks, Recreation and Facilities Director Mike Riggens said city employees recently identified the benches as a safety concern, prompting the proposed rule change. Under the proposal, natural stone benches would continue to be permitted as an alternative memorial option.
For College Station resident Iris Alonso, the proposed policy would have a significant personal impact. Several members of her family, including her father, are buried at Bryan City Cemetery.
Alonso recently purchased a metal bench to commemorate her father’s memory and planned to personalize it with a butterfly design, a symbol that held special meaning in their relationship.
She believes the proposal would leave many grieving families with the difficult choice of purchasing a more expensive stone bench or giving up a meaningful tribute altogether. She noted that after paying more than $10,000 for funeral expenses and approximately $1,200 for a cemetery plot, replacing a customized metal bench costing about $200 with a natural stone bench priced closer to $500 would create an additional financial burden.
Woodlawn Cemetery Restoration Project Aims to Improve Wildlife Habitat and Water Quality
A major stream restoration initiative at Historic Woodlawn Cemetery and Arboretum in Toledo, Ohio, is expected to benefit both the environment and the community by improving water quality and expanding habitat for wildlife, WTVG, Action News 13 reported.
For more than 100 years, Woodlawn Cemetery has served not only as a burial ground but also as a destination where visitors can enjoy more than 150 acres of landscaped grounds, featuring walking paths, ponds and more than 100 varieties of trees.
Cemetery leaders say the project reflects Woodlawn’s long-term commitment to responsible environmental stewardship. As a permanent part of the community, they believe the property should be carefully managed and preserved for future generations while continuing to serve purposes beyond traditional cemetery operations.
Foundation officials also emphasized that ongoing improvements are essential to maintaining the beauty and ecological health of the grounds. The restoration effort is centered on improving the cemetery’s stream system by keeping water flowing naturally as it eventually makes its way to Lake Erie. By enhancing water quality before it leaves the property, the project is intended to contribute to broader environmental conservation efforts while creating healthier habitats for fish, wildlife and native vegetation.
The first phase of construction is focused on the cemetery’s lower pond.
Interior Alaska Veterans Cemetery Breaks Ground After Two Decades of Advocacy
After nearly 20 years of planning and advocacy, construction has officially begun on Alaska’s first state-granted veterans cemetery in Salcha. The $16.7 million federally funded project marks a major milestone for Interior Alaska, finally providing veterans in the region with a dedicated burial site close to home where full military honors can be observed, 2 KTUU reported.
State and federal officials recently joined local residentsfor a groundbreaking ceremony at what will become the Interior Alaska Veterans Cemetery. Leaders described the project as the result of persistent efforts by veterans, lawmakers and military families who worked for decades to ensure Interior Alaska’s service members would have an appropriate final resting place near their communities.
Alaska Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom noted the long timeline, emphasizing that despite expectations for an earlier outcome, the commitment among veterans and advocates never wavered and ultimately carried the effort forward to completion.
The need for a cemetery in the Interior has long been highlighted by Alaska’s unique demographics. While the state has the highest per-capita veteran population in the country, burial options have been limited to Sitka National Cemetery, Fort Richardson National Cemetery, and a small tribal cemetery in Metlakatla, leaving Interior Alaska without a comparable facility.
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan has previously characterized the lack of an Interior cemetery as unacceptable given the state’s strong military presence and history, pointing to the limited number of VA-affiliated burial sites available across Alaska.
Woodlawn Cemetery Preservation Effort Aims to Restore D.C. Black History Landmark
More than 30,000 individuals — predominantly African Americans — are interred at Woodlawn Cemetery in Southeast Washington, D.C., a historic burial ground established in 1895. Like many 19th-century cemeteries, especially those tied to Black history, the site has suffered decades of neglect, leaving portions overgrown and many headstones displaced or deteriorating, NBC Washington 4 reported.
The cemetery spans roughly 22 acres and serves as the final resting place for a wide range of notable Washingtonians, including two of the earliest African American members of Congress. Despite its historical significance, the grounds are now in need of restoration and ongoing maintenance.
Access to the cemetery is typically limited, with the entrance gate kept locked most days. However, representatives from the Woodlawn Cemetery Perpetual Care Association have begun opening the site selectively for visitors and researchers while working to raise awareness of its historical importance and secure support for preservation efforts.
Association leadership has emphasized that the cemetery represents both broader Washington, D.C. heritage and a deeply significant chapter in African American history. Over time, however, inconsistent recordkeeping and deteriorating conditions have made it difficult to accurately identify grave locations. Some areas lack clear section markers, and the original burial layout is now partially lost, complicating restoration efforts.
Tennessee Expands Burial Eligibility in State Veterans Cemeteries for More Guard and Reserve Members
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed new legislation expanding who is eligible for burial in the state’s veterans cemeteries, extending access to a broader group of military service members, WBIR TV reported.
The new law, HB1635, increases eligibility for individuals who served honorably in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Army National Guard and Air National Guard, provided they completed at least eight years of combined service. It also includes those who were activated under state orders, regardless of how long they served. Qualified veterans will be eligible for burial in Tennessee State Veterans Cemeteries at no cost.
State officials say the change reflects Tennessee’s ongoing commitment to recognizing the contributions of those who serve both the state and the nation. The governor emphasized the important role that National Guard and Reserve members play in responding to emergencies, safeguarding communities, and supporting national defense, noting the state’s intention to formally acknowledge their service and sacrifice.
The Tennessee Department of Veterans Services clarified that the law does not alter existing eligibility rules for veterans who already qualify under federal criteria. Instead, it broadens access to include additional categories of Guard and Reserve personnel who were previously not eligible under state cemetery guidelines.
Tennessee currently operates five state veterans cemeteries.
Construction Scheduled to Begin on North Alabama Veterans Cemetery in October
Construction on Alabama’s next state veterans cemetery is scheduled to begin this October in Madison County, marking a major step toward expanding burial access for veterans in North Alabama, WHNT News 19 reported.
The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs recently hosted a community meeting to provide updates on the project and answer questions from residents interested in learning more about the planned cemetery.
Officials estimate the construction timeline at approximately 12 to 14 months. Based on that schedule, the cemetery is expected to be ready to conduct its first burials by late 2027 or early 2028.
The project will transform more than 150 acres along Maysville Road, located just north of Madison County High School, into a permanent memorial space for military service members. Once completed, the cemetery is expected to significantly reduce travel distances for families in North Alabama who currently must go much farther to visit or bury loved ones.
Supporters of the project say the local cemetery will provide both practical and emotional benefits, allowing families easier access to gravesites and a more immediate connection to remembrance and visitation.
Funding for the project includes $13.5 million in federal support and an additional $20 million from the state of Alabama. Planned features include a bell tower, visitor center, memorial walls, and two committal shelters. Additional design elements such as an amphitheater are also planned to accommodate educational programming, public ceremonies, and observances such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day events.
CemeteryVision.com Shares Irrigation and Grounds Maintenance Lessons from Jake Johnson
Before becoming one of deathcare’s most respected consultants and the president and CEO of Johnson Consulting Group, Jake Johnson spent years working alongside cemetery grounds crews, repairing irrigation systems, leveling markers and learning firsthand what it takes to keep a cemetery looking its best.
In a recent interview with CemeteryVision.com, Johnson shares lessons learned from the ground up, including why irrigation is often a cemetery’s most persistent operational challenge.
“You have to be mindful of where your lines are,” Johnson said. “You have to think about equipment weight. You have to think about what happens when a line gets cut. There was a lot to it.”
He also zeroes in on the costly mistakes operators make when planning new gardens, and how maintenance teams directly influence the customer experience.
Johnson also discusses the importance of preventive planning, documentation, technology and communication between cemetery staff, offering practical insights that remain relevant whether a cemetery serves hundreds or thousands of families each year.
Read the full article on CemeteryVision.com to learn how Johnson’s early experiences shaped his leadership philosophy and why he believes the details visitors never see often make the biggest difference in cemetery operations.
108-Year-Old Gravestone Unearthed After Storm Uproots Tree in Upstate New York Cemetery
A powerful storm in upstate New York has led to an unexpected historical discovery after high winds brought down a large tree at Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, exposing a long-hidden gravestone. Fox Weather reported.
Staff with Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery were assessing storm damage when they came across a massive Norway maple that had been uprooted during severe weather. As the tree lifted from the ground, it revealed a burial site that had been buried and concealed for decades.
The exposed headstone belongs to Edna Amelia Goodman Allen, who was born in 1892 and died in 1918 at the age of 26. Cemetery records indicate she was survived by her husband, a son, and several siblings.
The gravestone had been almost entirely covered by soil prior to the storm. It became visible only after strong winds, reported to have reached up to 55 mph alongside heavy rain and thunderstorms, tore the tree from the ground.
Despite being over a century old, the stone is in relatively good condition. While it requires cleaning after years underground, the inscription remains clearly readable.
Cemetery staff plan to remove the fallen tree and then carefully clean and preserve the headstone once the area is stabilized.
Former Manager Admits Stealing Over $40K From Historic New York Cemetery
A former general manager of one of New York’s historic cemeteries has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $40,000 from the organization and using the funds to support personal travel and expenses, including trips to Las Vegas, Walt Disney World and other leisure activities, according to prosecutors, the Daily Voice reported.
David Eslinger, 58, of Fort Edward, entered guilty pleas to third-degree grand larceny and first-degree identity theft in Albany County court. The charges were tied to his time as general manager of Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands.
An investigation determined that Eslinger issued unauthorized supplemental paychecks to himself and used the nonprofit cemetery’s credit card for a range of personal purchases. Those expenses included fuel, dining, travel, visits to entertainment venues in Las Vegas and New York City, and family trips to major tourist destinations. Authorities said the total amount stolen from the cemetery was $40,229.
Albany Rural Cemetery, founded in 1841, is a well-known historic site in the Capital Region and serves as the burial place for numerous notable figures. It has also been recognized nationally as one of the country’s notable “hidden gem” cemeteries for its historical and cultural significance.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Eslinger will serve a one-year interim probation period and must pay at least $20,000 in restitution to the cemetery.
After that initial report, however, another news outlet reported that he was back in police custody after failing to pay back the initial $20,00 – he had only repaid $12,000, WRGB reported.
As a result, he could now face 4 to 14 years in prison, even though the original agreement would have allowed him to only receive probation.
Mount Auburn Cemetery Fully Transitions to Battery-Powered Landscape Equipment
Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts —the nation’s first garden cemetery, established in 1831 and covering 175 acres — has reportedly achieved another historic milestone by becoming the first cemetery in the United States to operate entirely with battery-powered landscape equipment, WGBH reported.
The transition was completed in partnership with Quiet Communities, a nonprofit focused on reducing environmental and public health impacts, and earned certification from the American Green Zone Alliance. The designation recognizes the cemetery’s shift away from gas-powered tools in favor of electric alternatives.
Cemetery leadership said the move grew out of a broader sustainability strategy that also includes rethinking land stewardship, building operations, and burial practices. As they evaluated landscape maintenance in particular, staff concluded that switching equipment systems would be a significant but complex undertaking at the scale of their property.
While many handheld tools such as string trimmers, chainsaws, and leaf blowers have successfully transitioned to battery power, staff noted that implementation has not been without logistical hurdles. One of the primary challenges has been establishing adequate charging infrastructure within older buildings that were not designed to support large-scale electrical demand. In some cases, facilities have already reached their power capacity limits, requiring additional planning for expansion.
Lafayette Restricts Casket Burials at Historic Cemetery, Offers Refunds
The City of Lafayette, Colorado has informed owners of burial plots at its historic cemetery that traditional casket burials will no longer be permitted due to space limitations, a decision that has left many families upset and searching for alternatives, Denver 7 reported.
In notices sent to roughly 200 plot owners, city officials explained that a recent ground-penetrating radar study identified previously unmarked graves and showed that available burial space is significantly more limited than earlier records indicated. Based on the findings, consultants advised that any future excavation must be done with extreme caution due to the high density of graves, and officials determined that continued full casket burials could risk disturbing existing interments.
As a result, the city is offering affected plot owners three options. Families may retain their existing plots but use them exclusively for cremated remains, exchange their Lafayette Cemetery plot at no cost for a space at Coal Creek Cemetery, or request a refund equivalent to the current $1,500 price of a Coal Creek burial plot.
The policy change has been particularly difficult for families who purchased plots with the expectation of being buried alongside multiple generations of relatives.
Denver Cemetery Celebrates 150 Years or History
Riverside Cemetery, Denver’s oldest burial ground, has reached its 150th anniversary, a milestone that highlights a deep and often overlooked record of Colorado’s early history, Civil War connections and notable figures from the state’s formative years, 9 News reported.
Volunteers with the Fairmount Heritage Foundation say the cemetery’s origins date back to its first recorded burial, which they consider the true beginning of the site’s history. One volunteer noted that the cemetery predates Colorado statehood by only a short period, underscoring its close ties to the region’s earliest development.
A significant part of Riverside’s historical importance lies in its association with Union Civil War veterans. According to historians familiar with the site, it contains more Union soldiers than any other cemetery in Colorado. In the years following the Civil War, the Grand Army of the Republic, a major veterans organization, acquired sections of the cemetery and reinterred many remains from Denver’s earlier burial grounds into what became known as the GAR section, or Block 27.
Researchers and volunteers emphasize that Colorado’s connection to the Civil War is often underrecognized. The territory was established during the national conflict as federal authorities reorganized western lands, drawing from surrounding territories. Colorado later contributed multiple military regiments that participated in campaigns tied to the war effort, and its mineral resources played a supporting role in the Union economy.
Among the most visited graves is that of Silas Soule, a Union officer remembered for refusing to take part in the Sand Creek Massacre, an event widely regarded as one of the most tragic episodes in Colorado history. Soule was later killed, and his burial site remains a focal point for visitors. The cemetery is also the final resting place of several Medal of Honor recipients, including George V. Kelley, David F. Day, and Smith H. Hastings.
Riverside Cemetery also includes the graves of prominent territorial leaders and early Colorado figures.
