First Presbyterian Church will construct a Prayer Garden Columbarium and Memorial Wall as another method of inurnment or recognition for deceased persons with a connection to the church members, guests and future attendees.
Cremation with dignity
A columbarium — which comes from the Latin word for dove — is a structure with niches for placing urns holding the cremated remains of loved ones. The First Presbyterian Church columbarium will have 160 niches, each with space for one or two urns.
The columbarium will be in the courtyard between the chapel and Christian education wing, adjacent to Seventh Street. The garden can be accessed from both the church and the street and will be handicapped-accessible.
A place to remember
More and more Americans are choosing to be cremated, with one estimate stating that the number will rise to 70% by 2030. But choosing an inurnment that honors our lives and traditions remains a concern for many Christians.
Keeping cremains at home can become a burden on future generations, while scattering ashes leaves no physical location to honor our memories. A columbarium provides a sacred, safe and beautiful final resting place.
Choose from two sizes
The smaller niche will have an 8-by-8-inch front panel, and the larger will have a 12-by-12-inch front. Both sizes will accommodate one or two urns provided with purchase. The face plate of each niche will be engraved with the names or names and life dates of those inurned.
A portion of the cost will be considered a tax-deductible donation to the church. The cost can be paid in one lump sum or either a three or five year plan.
Who can be included
Those who can be inurned in the columbarium include church members and former members, affiliate members, current and former, pastors and staff, and current or prior spouses or partners, children and grandchildren, and parents of current members.
The same eligibility will apply to the Memorial Wall, which serves to honor those who are interred elsewhere but wish to be remembered for their relationship to the church.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How will the columbarium be financed?
No capital campaign funds or general Church funds will be used. The church has received more than $100,000 in donations to build the Prayer Garden Columbarium and will make an interest-free loan to cover the rest of the estimated $365,000 cost. As niches are sold, a portion of the sales price will go to the church until the loan is repaid.
How many niches may I buy?
As many as needed. Families may opt to purchase a group of adjacent niches, for instance.
May I choose the location of the niche?
A map of the columbarium will be provided at the time of purchase, and you may choose the location based on availability. However, if you pay over time, you may not choose the location until the purchase price has been paid in full.
May I place decorations?
Fresh flowers may be placed next to a niche at the time of inurnment. The church will remove the flowers after three days. The church will provide decorations in the Prayer Garden for Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Advent/Christmas, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day as appropriate.
Will clergy perform a service at the time of inurnment?
First Presbyterian Church will provide a brief religious service with a member of the clergy.
When is the inurnment usually done?
Inurnments or other services will be performed when feasible after the church has been notified. Often, inurnment will take place immediately before or after a memorial service. In the event of inclement weather, the church may suggest an alternate time or date.
May two people’s ashes be co-mingled in a single urn?
Yes, please discuss this with the funeral home or make arrangements separately. There is only room on the niche faceplate for two individual names.
How do I purchase a niche?
Submit a written application (columbarium agreement) and payment to the church. Applications are available in the church office, online and from Columbarium
Committee members.
MEMORIAL WALL RULES
The Memorial Wall will honor people who may be interred elsewhere but wish to be remembered for their relationship to the First Presbyterian Church. Eligibility will follow the rules for inclusion in the Prayer Garden Columbarium.
The church will arrange to have the person’s name engraved on a faceplate of the Memorial Wall for $150 plus the cost of engraving. Location of the names will be at the discretion of the Columbarium Committee, and the costs of engraving will be taken into consideration in that choice. The engraving will be executed in a consistent and uniform manner.
