In this episode, Coldspring Regional Sales Manager Honnalora Hubbard discusses the launch of National Cremation Placement Day, held annually on October 17. With an estimated 25 million urns sitting unplaced in U.S. homes, Honnalora breaks down the growing crisis around unmemorialized cremated remains and explains how cremation trends are altering cemetery plot planning.
Honnalora shares her personal journey through profound loss and how the lack of a formal gathering highlighted the essential role memorialization plays in the grieving process. She details the resources Coldspring has developed to help funeral homes, cemeteries, and monument dealers engage their local communities, partner with local media, and bring dignified, permanent placement back into mainstream conversation.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The Unplaced Urn Crisis: Approximately 25 million urns reside in 25% of American households today without permanent placement or memorialization.
Shifting Cemetery Trends: Cremation is driving a resurgence in multi-space niche and property purchases, as families seek central locations to gather across generations.
National Cremation Placement Day (October 17): Established as an official national day to create urgency and awareness around permanent memorialization before the holiday season.
Turnkey Resources for Deathcare Professionals: Cold Spring offers free, downloadable toolkits—including email templates, postcards, staff training slides, event checklists, and media press releases—to help local businesses launch events.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Introduction and announcement of National Cremation Placement Day
00:59 – The scale of the issue: 25 million urns in 25% of U.S. homes
03:55 – How cremation is changing family plot purchases and cemetery estates
06:39 – Honnalora’s personal story: Family losses, unaddressed grief, and finding healing
09:43 – Bringing the idea to Cold Spring and turning it into a profession-wide gift
11:15 – Free turnkey tools, press releases, and marketing materials available for local implementation
13:53 – Tracking community participation and local media involvement
14:43 – How cemeteries and funeral homes are structuring events on October 17
16:11 – Why October 17 was chosen and looking ahead to long-term impact
RESOURCES & LINKS
Cold Spring Website: Access the official National Cremation Placement Day portal to download free turnkey toolkits, event checklists, press releases, and marketing material, and register to participate.
