Washington Memorial Gardens — Consumer Profile
Washington Memorial Gardens is a historic, independently operated 35-acre cemetery and cremation provider in Decatur, GA, owned and managed by the Lincoln Memorial Group, with roots dating to 1947. The property holds a 4.4/5 rating on Google based on 19 reviews, with consistent praise directed at its pre-planning counselors. The cemetery offers both traditional ground burial and cremation memorialization, and pre-need arrangements can be initiated online. Notably, the property is currently in a rezoning process that may bring an on-site funeral home in the future, though no funeral home facility is currently operating at this address.
Locations
| Address | Phone | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 700 Jordan Ln, Decatur, GA 30033 | (404) 792-2220 / (404) 296-1185 | Mon–Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Primary and only location; 35-acre grounds including mausoleum |
Washington Memorial Gardens is one of four cemeteries in the Lincoln Memorial Group network, which also includes Lincoln Cemetery, Dawn Memorial Park, and Monte Vista Biblical Gardens — described on the provider's website as spanning west to east of Atlanta.
Services
Washington Memorial Gardens offers the following, as described on the provider's website:
- Traditional ground burial — in-ground interment on the 35-acre property
- Mausoleum entombment — referenced in multiple reviews as an available option
- Cremation memorialization — cremation-related interment and memorial options on-site
- Pre-need / pre-planning — appointments with Memorial Counselors; monthly payment plans available; online pre-planning initiation is supported
The website notes that the property is a cemetery, not currently a licensed funeral home. According to local news reporting, ownership has sought rezoning to add a funeral home on the property, though a proposed on-site crematorium was dropped from those plans. Families arranging funeral home services (embalming, body preparation, visitation, etc.) would currently need to engage a separate licensed funeral home.
Pricing
No General Price List (GPL) data was available for this profile. Third-party pricing aggregators Ever Loved and Yelp list the cemetery but do not publish specific price data at this time.
The provider's website indicates that memorial options are "tailored to your personal preferences and budget" and that monthly payment plans are available, but no itemized pricing is publicly listed. Families should request a written price list directly from the cemetery before committing to arrangements.
Reviews
Washington Memorial Gardens holds a 4.4/5 rating on Google across 19 reviews. The BBB profile is present but the business is not BBB accredited, and the BBB page notes complaints are viewable there. The Yelp listing exists but no specific Yelp review data was available for this profile.
Find A Grave lists 8,975 memorial records associated with this cemetery, reflecting its long history in the community.
Positive Themes
Available Google reviews cluster around three consistent themes:
Counselor attentiveness during pre-planning — Multiple reviewers describe their Memorial Counselor as patient, unhurried, and thorough. Briana Jefferson wrote: "Nydia Kercado at Washington Memorial Gardens met me with so much patience, kindness, and understanding from the very beginning. She walked me through everything gently, answered every question without ever making me feel rushed."
Staff named repeatedly: Nydia Kercado — Four of the five available reviews specifically name Nydia Kercado as their point of contact, crediting her with researching available mausoleum spaces, explaining options clearly, and accommodating family preferences.
Well-maintained grounds — Stacey Butts noted, "this is where my father is and we've never had a problem with how the grounds are maintained and they always assist with placing flowers in his vase." Terri Walker described the property as "a beautiful, well maintained property."
A reviewer identified as Lala Lo also praised a staff member named Mrs. Walker for "empathetic and compassionate" service during active arrangements for a loved one.
Notable Concerns
The available Google review pool is small (19 reviews), which limits the reliability of the aggregate rating. The BBB profile indicates the business is not accredited and lists complaint data that families should review directly. No specific complaint details were available in the data provided for this profile.
Ownership
Washington Memorial Gardens operates under the Lincoln Memorial Group, a private company that owns and operates four cemeteries in the greater Atlanta area. The property was founded in 1947 by Tobie Grant, described on the website as "a local celebrity, businesswoman, clairvoyant, fortune teller and philanthropist." The cemetery is sometimes informally called "Lincoln Cemetery on the Eastside."
Timothy Amoui serves as Chief Financial Officer and Co-Owner of Lincoln Memorial Group. Per local news coverage, Amoui and his wife Shayda are the current ownership principals. Lincoln Memorial Group is a privately held independent operator, not affiliated with any publicly traded funeral services corporation (such as Service Corporation International or Park Lawn Corporation).
Accreditations
- BBB: Not BBB Accredited; a BBB business profile exists and families can review any filed complaints there
- DeKalb County rezoning: Per Decaturish reporting, the DeKalb County Commission has approved rezoning related to the property
No data was available regarding professional memberships (e.g., NFDA, ICCFA) or state cemetery licensing details for this profile.
Conclusion
Washington Memorial Gardens is a mid-range, historically rooted cemetery serving the eastern Atlanta metro area, with a strong track record in pre-need planning and well-regarded grounds maintenance. Families drawn to its location or history — particularly those with existing family plots on the property — will find the pre-planning process well-supported. Two areas worth monitoring before committing: the absence of publicly listed pricing (families should request a written schedule before any agreement), and the current lack of an on-site funeral home, meaning death-care services beyond interment and memorialization will need to be coordinated through a separate provider. The BBB complaint history is also worth reviewing directly, as the business is not currently accredited.
This report was generated using publicly available information including licensing records, pricing data, and consumer reviews. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation.
← Back to Washington Memorial Gardens