Honnalora Hubbard, regional manager for Cold Spring's Southeastern Division, joins the show to introduce National Cremation Placement Day, a new nationwide initiative launching October 17, 2026, the inaugural year and the 150th anniversary of cremation in the United States.

Cold Spring, a 127 year old family owned company behind granite work at the Vietnam Wall, the World War II Memorial, and the 9/11 site in New York, created this turnkey program to help families finally lay cremated remains to rest.

The conversation covers what to do with inherited urns, how to find a participating cemetery, the emotional weight of abandoned cremated remains, and personal stories from both Honnalora and museum director Genevieve about keeping loved ones close before choosing a permanent place for them.

Plan your visit to the museum today at nmfh.org and take a journey through over 30,000 square feet of fascinating history.

Subscribe to The Final Curtain Never Closes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Five Key Takeaways

1. National Cremation Placement Day falls on the third Saturday of October every year, with the inaugural event set for October 17, 2026, timed to the 150th anniversary of cremation in the United States.

2. An estimated 25 million urns remain in homes across the country, meaning anyone holding onto a loved one's ashes is part of a very common experience, not an isolated one.

3. Families can find participating cemeteries through mycoldspringusa.com or by searching Cold Spring and National Cremation Placement Day, and locations can be sorted by state.

4. Permanent placement does not mean permanent loss of flexibility. An urn placed in a niche can later be moved if a family relocates, so comfort now and flexibility later are not mutually exclusive.

5. Abandoned cremated remains are a real and painful issue in the funeral profession, often happening because families were never educated that cremation requires a second decision about final placement.

Honnalora Hubbard, regional manager for Cold Spring's Southeastern Division, joins the show to introduce National Cremation Placement Day, a new nationwide initiative launching October 17, 2026, the inaugural year and the 150th anniversary of cremation in the United States.
Cold Spring, a 127 year old family owned company behind granite work at the Vietnam Wall, the World War II Memorial, and the 9/11 site in New York, created this turnkey program to help families finally lay cremated remains to rest.
The conversation covers what to do with inherited urns, how to find a participating cemetery, the emotional weight of abandoned cremated remains, and personal stories from both Honnalora and museum director Genevieve about keeping loved ones close before choosing a permanent place for them.
Plan your visit to the museum today at <a href="https://nmfh.org">nmfh.org</a> and take a journey through over 30,000 square feet of fascinating history.
Subscribe to The Final Curtain Never Closes on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-final-curtain-never-closes/id1664936967">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4x8VZuVdq5UQtnrY2b1IJS?si=b1c6ae4a9c744e0a">Spotify</a>, or wherever you get your <a href="https://www.nmfh.org/haunting-stories-of-the-museums-hometown/">podcasts</a>.
Five Key Takeaways
1. National Cremation Placement Day falls on the third Saturday of October every year, with the inaugural event set for October 17, 2026, timed to the 150th anniversary of cremation in the United States.
2. An estimated 25 million urns remain in homes across the country, meaning anyone holding onto a loved one's ashes is part of a very common experience, not an isolated one.
3. Families can find participating cemeteries through mycoldspringusa.com or by searching Cold Spring and National Cremation Placement Day, and locations can be sorted by state.
4. Permanent placement does not mean permanent loss of flexibility. An urn placed in a niche can later be moved if a family relocates, so comfort now and flexibility later are not mutually exclusive.
5. Abandoned cremated remains are a real and painful issue in the funeral profession, often happening because families were never educated that cremation requires a second decision about final placement.

The National Museum of Funeral History presents The Final Curtain Never Closes, a podcast that tells the stories about the people behind our final rite of passage.

This series is part of the museum's larger mission to build and maintain a love of history and enriched understanding of our industry.

Virtual tours are available 24/7, but we'd love to see you in person. Plan your visit at www.nmfh.org. 

And remember, any day above ground is a good one!

The National Museum of Funeral History presents The Final Curtain Never Closes, a podcast that tells the stories about the people behind our final rite of passage.
This series is part of the museum's larger mission to build and maintain a love of history and enriched understanding of our industry.
Virtual tours are available 24/7, but we'd love to see you in person. Plan your visit at <a href="http://www.nmfh.org">www.nmfh.org</a>. 
And remember, any day above ground is a good one!

The Final Curtain Never Closes

The National Museum of Funeral History presents The Final Curtain Never Closes, a podcast that tells the stories about the people behind our final rite of passage.

This series is part of the museum's larger mission to build and maintain a love of history and enriched understanding of our industry.

Virtual tours are available 24/7, but we'd love to see you in person. Plan your visit at www.nmfh.org. 

And remember, any day above ground is a good one!

The National Museum of Funeral History presents The Final Curtain Never Closes, a podcast that tells the stories about the people behind our final rite of passage.
This series is part of the museum's larger mission to build and maintain a love of history and enriched understanding of our industry.
Virtual tours are available 24/7, but we'd love to see you in person. Plan your visit at <a href="http://www.nmfh.org/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.nmfh.org/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1674242839098000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1eUszxGGKNoJjKnYiXLWw6">www.nmfh.org</a>. 
And remember, any day above ground is a good one!