Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, GA: History, Burial Options, and Visitor Guide

Westview Cemetery is one of Atlanta’s largest and most historic cemeteries, located on the city’s west side. If you live in Atlanta, are visiting family graves, or are considering burial options, understanding how Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, GA works can make planning and visits much easier.

This guide covers what Westview is known for, its burial and memorial options, how to visit, and what to expect when working with the cemetery.

Where Is Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, GA?

Westview Cemetery is located in southwest Atlanta, just a few miles from Downtown and West End.

• Address:
  Westview Cemetery
  1680 Westview Drive SW
  Atlanta, GA 30310

• General Area: Near the intersection of Westview Drive SW and Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, west of the I-20 corridor and close to the Westview, West End, and Cascade Heights neighborhoods.

Many Atlanta residents recognize Westview for its large, tree-covered grounds and distinctive mausoleum complex visible from nearby roads.

Why Westview Cemetery Matters to Atlanta

Westview Cemetery is widely known in Atlanta for a few key reasons:

• It is one of Atlanta’s largest cemeteries, with extensive grounds and multiple sections.
• It has a long local history, with many Atlantans buried there over multiple generations.
• Its mausoleum and chapel areas are notable for their size and design.
• It serves families from across metro Atlanta, including the city proper and nearby counties.

For many local families, Westview is considered a “traditional Atlanta burial ground” where relatives and multiple generations are interred.

Burial and Memorial Options at Westview Cemetery

Like many large, established cemeteries in Atlanta, Westview typically offers a range of burial and memorial options. Specific availability can change over time, but commonly includes:

Traditional In-Ground Burial

Families who prefer a traditional grave setting often choose Westview for:

• Individual burial plots
• Companion plots for spouses or family members
• Family sections where multiple relatives can be buried together

In-ground burials usually involve:

• Purchase of a burial space (grave)
• Burial vault or liner (often required by cemeteries)
• Casket (chosen through a funeral home or provider)
• Opening and closing of the grave

Most Atlantans coordinate these details through a funeral home that works directly with Westview on scheduling and logistics.

Mausoleum Entombment

Westview is especially known for its large mausoleum, which provides above-ground entombment. This option is often chosen by:

• Families who prefer a clean, indoor visit environment
• Those wanting a more architectural or monumental setting
• Individuals with concerns about traditional in-ground burial

Mausoleum entombment typically involves:

• A crypt space for casket entombment
• Sealing and inscription on a stone or metal front
• Possible nearby niches for cremation urns (where available)

Cremation Memorial Options

For those choosing cremation in Atlanta, Westview generally offers ways to place or memorialize ashes on the grounds, such as:

• Columbarium niches in or near the mausoleum (small spaces for urns)
• Burial of urns in smaller urn gardens or grave spaces
• Memorial plaques or markers even when ashes are kept elsewhere

Cremation itself is usually handled by a funeral home or cremation provider, while Westview provides the final resting place or memorial setting.

Typical Services and Support You Can Expect

When Atlanta families work with Westview Cemetery, they usually interact with:

• Cemetery office staff for:

  • Purchasing burial rights (grave, crypt, or niche)
  • Scheduling burials or entombments
  • Locating gravesites for visits
  • Discussing rules, markers, and maintenance

• Grounds crew for:

  • Opening and closing graves
  • Routine landscaping and maintenance
  • Installing approved markers and monuments

For funeral arrangements, most people work with a local Atlanta funeral home that coordinates directly with Westview on timing, transport, and ceremonies.

Visiting Westview Cemetery: What Atlanta Residents Should Know

If you are planning to visit Westview Cemetery in Atlanta, here are practical details to consider.

Getting There

From common Atlanta starting points:

• From Downtown/Midtown:
  Travel west via I-20 or surface streets such as Martin Luther King Jr. Drive or Ralph David Abernathy Blvd, then follow signs or navigation to Westview Drive SW.

• From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport:
  Head north toward I-85/I-75, then west to I-20 or surface routes into southwest Atlanta. Many people use navigation apps to reach the cemetery directly.

Parking is typically available on-site near the main office and selected sections, but be prepared to walk within the grounds to specific graves.

Office and Gate Hours

Westview generally maintains:

• Cemetery gates open during daylight or posted visiting hours
• An on-site office with regular business hours on weekdays and sometimes limited weekend hours

Because hours and access can change, especially for holidays or weather, many Atlantans call ahead to confirm:

• Gate hours
• Office hours
• Any special restrictions (e.g., after storms or major events)

Finding a Grave or Mausoleum Location

If you are visiting a specific grave or crypt:

1. Contact the office with:

   • Full name of the person
   • Approximate date of death or burial
   • Any known section or family area

2. Ask for:

   • The section, lot, and space number
   • A printed or verbal map to the area

3. Allow extra time to find the exact location, especially in older or larger sections, as markers may be spaced out or partially covered by grass and landscaping.

Rules, Etiquette, and What to Expect on the Grounds

Like most major cemeteries in Georgia, Westview has rules to balance family wishes, safety, and maintenance.

Common Cemetery Rules at Westview

While you should always confirm specifics with the office, typical rules include:

• Decoration limits:

  • Guidelines on flowers (fresh vs. artificial)
  • Restrictions on glass, breakable items, or large objects
  • Seasonal clean-ups where older items may be removed

• Monument and marker standards:

  • Approved sizes and materials
  • Requirements for professional installation
  • Process for adding new markers or inscriptions

• Vehicle and pedestrian use:

  • Speed limits inside the cemetery
  • Parking only on paved or designated areas
  • Staying on paths where requested, especially during wet weather

• Behavior expectations:

  • Keep noise low and be respectful of funerals in progress
  • Supervise children closely
  • Keep pets under control; some cemeteries may restrict pets entirely

Tips for a Respectful Visit

• 📌 Check in with the office if you’re unsure about where to park or walk.
• 📌 Dress for walking, as some sections may be hilly or uneven.
• 📌 Bring water and sun protection, especially in Atlanta’s hotter months.
• 📌 Avoid driving on grass or unmarked areas, even if they look passable.

Planning a Burial at Westview: Atlanta-Specific Considerations

If you’re an Atlanta resident planning ahead or arranging a burial now, understanding the local process can reduce stress.

Step-by-Step Overview

1. Choose a funeral home or cremation provider in metro Atlanta.
   They help you with legal paperwork, transportation, and the ceremony.

2. Discuss cemetery preferences.
   If you choose Westview, let the funeral home know; many are familiar with the cemetery’s procedures.

3. Meet or speak with Westview’s office.

   • Select a grave, crypt, or niche space.
   • Review pricing, terms, and any payment plans.
   • Go over marker or monument guidelines.

4. Schedule the service.
   Coordinated between your funeral home and Westview for:

   • Graveside services
   • Mausoleum chapel ceremonies (if available and desired)
   • Committal services following a church or chapel funeral

5. Decide on memorialization.

   • Choose a headstone, flat marker, crypt front inscription, or urn niche plaque.
   • Confirm design and timing for installation.

Pre-Planning for Atlanta Families

Many Atlantans consider pre-need arrangements at cemeteries like Westview to:

• Lock in current pricing on spaces
• Ensure family members are buried together
• Reduce last-minute decision-making for relatives

Pre-planning typically involves meeting with cemetery staff, reviewing map layouts, and signing an agreement for specific spaces and rights of interment.

Westview Cemetery and Atlanta’s Cultural Landscape

Westview is part of a broader network of cemeteries across Atlanta and Fulton County that reflect the city’s:

• Growth from a rail town to a major metro area
• Shifting neighborhood patterns, including the west side’s historic role in Atlanta’s development
• Religious and cultural diversity, reflected in different sections and burial traditions

For some local families, visiting Westview is not just about mourning, but also about connecting with Atlanta’s history and roots, as older graves often date back generations.

Quick Reference: Key Facts About Westview Cemetery, Atlanta, GA

If you live in Atlanta or are responsible for arrangements here, Westview Cemetery remains a significant and well-known option for burial and memorialization on the city’s west side. Reaching out directly to the cemetery office and working with a local funeral home will give you the most accurate, up-to-date details for your specific needs.