On a foggy Monday morning last week, my family and I met early at Georgia National Cemetery for a military service to honor Dad’s service in the military and for both mom and dad to be interred at the cemetery as their final resting place. I have heard about Georgia National for years, but this was the first time I’ve visited. Mom and Dad talked often about this being the place they would be laid to rest and it was nice to have that fulfilled with my sister, Renee and niece, Lauren also present. Our husbands were also there. It was short and sweet, but very meaningful to all of us.
Opening in 2006, Georgia National Cemetery is a spacious cemetery between Canton and Cartersville, GA and has space for full casket gravesites, in ground sites for cremation, and columbaria niches for cremations as well. That was a new to me word, but that’s what we opted for, the niches.
The bell tower at Georgia National Cemetery.
One of my friends took this shot and it’s beautiful. I love that they add flags for holidays.
These are the columbaria niches. We have the numbers for mom and dad’s niche and will go back later to visit. They don’t inter them right at that moment, but do it later in the day. You have to set up an appointment when you do a burial at Georgia National and they have everything ready to go when you get there. It’s all very organized. We waited until now as schedules permitted, so that Renee and Lauren could be here. The funeral home got everything set up for us with a time to be there. We chose “Lives Filled With Faith & Love” to go on the front of the niche with a simple cross.
We handed over the urns and the flag and followed the director to the covered pavillion where our service would be.
They took them out and set them up on a stand while we all sat and watched.
Taps was played by a trumpet player and that was very moving as well, with a small group of soldiers there paying respects.
Our flag had already been given to us, so we brought it back and they unfolded it and then folded it back.
The urns I found at Homegoods, which I really love.
Refolding the flag.
Handing the flag to me.
Me, Renee, and Lauren. I’m so glad the 3 of us could be there for Mom and Dad on this finale to their lives and getting their remains interred at Georgia National. It’s the final part of their journey.
We received a beautiful certificate honoring Dad’s service in the military and signed by our current President Trump.
The service was no more than 10 to 15 minutes, but was very meaningful to us. We have never been around military families or military ceremonies, so this was all new to us, but I’m so glad we did it for them.
They are resting in a beautiful cemetery with views of the Blue Ridge mountains. I know that doesn’t really matter, but having their final spot be in this majestic cemetery makes us all feel good. I’m glad this part of the journey is finished for them both. Now we celebrate their memories and remember what they mean to all of us forever. They leave behind such a legacy for our family. I thought you all would like to hear this part of their story as well.
What a beautiful and solemn ceremony to honor the memory of your parents. Thank you for sharing.
Your parents were a light upon earth.
You’ve honored them well, always.
Thank you for sharing them.
A beautiful celebration and final resting place for two lives so well lived. 💕
Such a beautiful and meaningful ending to two lives well spent on earth. They are together now, and so happy this place will give you, Renee and Lauren peace. You are the most fortunate person I know for having such wonderful parents. Thanks, as always, for sharing them with me.
Thank you, Barbara, we surely were blessed to have them as our parents.
Your parents were so kind, humble and full of grace. This ceremony would have pleased them.
I have always admired how Lauren made it home to be with them and visit with them. I’m glad she was able to be at their final resting spot. Thank you Rhoda for sharing their lives with all of your readers. We will miss them.
Thank you for sharing this with us and for including your parents in your blog. I enjoyed reading every story, including this last one. May God continue to bless you and your beautiful family.
Thank you for sharing this service with us all as we longtime readers feel like we also knew and loved your parents. You were blessed with wonderful, Godly parents. May they now receive their eternal reward and be joined with our Lord and savior, Jesus, whom they faithfully served their entire lives.
Xo xo
You must be so proud. Such a meaningful ceremony. God bless. You are such a good daughter.
Beautiful! God be with you
Such a beautiful ceremony honoring your parents!! I feel like they were the grandparents of Instagram!! I know they are resting in the arms of Jesus!!
HI, Annette, they practically were the grandparents of IG, since I have been sharing them so long.
Thanks you for sharing the last several years of Mom and Dad with us. Dad puttering in his mountain garden. Dad and you working together on your house. Mom at her stove, in charge of her kitchen, and the array of her food on the dining table. All the family photos. We followed them as they left their home, and moved into Assisted Living. I live on the West Coast, and you allowed me a look into a small window of Southern Culture. With much appreciation.
Rhoda, thanks for sharing this part of your precious Mom & Dad’s journey. What a tribute! We will miss your sharing of them with us. We felt like they were so much a part of us. Their lives were lived honoring their Lord and Savior. You were all so blessed to have such a wonderful Mom and Dad. And, we were blessed with having you share them with us! We know you will have wonderful memories of them which will only grow more precious as the days go by. God Bless you all!
I’m so glad this makes a nice lasting memory. We have gone to the Andersonville cemetery. It is heart warming to see all the men and women represented there. Im sure that same atmosphere was felt there as well. We have such love and honor for your folks. Sending our love your way ❤️
What a precious couple they were! Will always remember the prayers your dad would pray – his voice stayed strong for such a long time. Thank you for sharing them. Heaven gets sweeter every day!
Thank you for sharing this with us. A beautiful ceremony. And I do believe the final resting place is important, with the views of the mountains. We did a similar thing with my father, we had the choice of inside or outside and Dad loved to be outside and that is what we chose.
How comforting for your family to have his service honored at the Georgia National Cemetery.
What a beautiful way to honor your precious parents! Thank you for sharing this final moment with us.
Their faith has been made sight! Beautiful tribute to a lovely couple whose lives blessed those they’s never even met! Thank you for sharing.
Whose lives they never even met is what I meant to type.