For many generations, the burial places for human bodies were in and around the church. Then, as time passed, customs changed, restrictions were imposed and people in many cases had to be buried elsewhere. Recently, concern in human affairs has brought about much interest in cremation of bodily remains. This has made it possible to once again return to the tradition of making one's final resting place on the grounds of the church. Such a Memorial Garden has been established at Calvary Episcopal Church.
The Garden extends along the front and south sides of the Church and is filled with plantings, benches, and water art which truly makes it a place of beauty to be enjoyed by everyone. There are areas in the Garden where human ashes may be interred directly in the earth, as well as a columbarium where the ashes in urns can be placed in niches, two containers to a niche. The Garden is also a place in which to relax and enjoy the surrounding beauty.
Regarding Cremation and the Memorial Garden
Cremation is an old tradition and has been widely practiced throughout the world from earliest times. As Christians we regard burning as a properly reverent way of disposing of objects blessed for religious use, such as prayer books, altar linens and palms. By common Christian consent, we agree that this is a reverent way of recycling that which has been set apart and used to the glory of God. Christians who favor cremation have every right or reason to cite this principle. Cremation was accepted by the Church of England and the Episcopal Church many years ago, and the National Church supports cremation as an acceptable, proper and dignified way of treating the human body at the time of death. Almost a quarter of all Americans now choose cremation over other means of burial.
In response to this need, churches have established special facilities for the care and safekeeping of cremated remains. This may be either a special garden area, a columbarium, or both, as in the case at Calvary . The word columbarium is derived from the Latin for "dovecote," the compartmented housing for doves. Dove is also the symbol of God's Spirit and of peace.
Interment within the grounds of Calvary provides a link visible to us in this life between deceased Christians and their church body, enabling family and friends to pay their respects and refresh their remembrances frequently as a part of regular worship.
Calvary's Garden of Many Uses and Facets
Beyond being a place for burial (ash garden and columbaria) and to remember the deceased, the garden at Calvary is:
- alive and dynamic with plantings, a water feature, and pleasing visual attractions and walkways;
- a place for the living to sit, enjoy the beauty, meditate, and pray;
- a place for small meetings, outdoor services, a classroom-an extension of our "indoor" church;
- in keeping with, and compliments, the architecture of our present church,
- a garden that looks like it "belongs,"- i.e., is a part of Calvary ; consistent with our rich history; a garden that will be here 100 years in the future;
- a connection with our existing garden and pond between the church and parish hall, and;
- a place where the community should feel welcome (part of our "outreach").
The Details
The Memorial Garden is set aside for the interment of ashes of those persons who are eligible and have chosen cremation.
Eligibility
Only cremated remains of members of Calvary Episcopal Church or their immediate families may be interred in the Memorial Garden . Immediate family includes spouse, children, parents, brothers or sisters. Others with Calvary Church connections may be eligible as established and approved by the Vestry.
Interment
The cremated remains will be interred directly into the earth, without container, by mixing the ashes in the soil. The location will be determined by the clergy. Or, one may choose to obtain a niche in the columbarium in which to have their ashes placed. There will be a limit of two spaces in each niche. Selection of niche location will be by the purchaser in the order of application.
Fees
The fee for interment in the columbarium is $600 per person, or $1200 per niche. The fee for burial in the earth is $300 per person. These fees include interment, a plaque, and perpetual care.
Memorial Plaque
Names and dates of birth and death of persons interred in the earth will be placed on uniform brass plaques and attached to a wall at a common location within the Garden. There will be no individual plaques at individual sites. Names and dates of persons interred in the columbarium will be on a plaque attached to the face of the niche.
Funeral Arrangements
As customary, arrangements for the funeral and burial will be made with the rector. Cremation arrangements must be handled by a funeral home.
Reservations
Reservations may be made by contacting a Memorial Garden Representative.
What are the benefits to using a columbarium or ash garden?
For church members the economic advantages are many. A niche in a columbarium is modest in cost. Both the columbarium and ash garden are liturgically satisfying and ecologically sound. Both choices invite quiet meditation and reflection and the Garden is a peaceful gathering place for families and friends.
Title and Rights
No property right of any kind will be acquired by the purchaser and legal title to all columbarium niches and the Garden areas will be retained by Calvary Episcopal Church. Permission to use a niche or the Garden areas for burial cannot be sold or transferred to any other person without the consent of the Church. Through a signed document the purchaser must agree to the Terms and Conditions associated with purchasing a niche or a burial in the earth.
Niche selection will be granted in the order in which the applications are received. Location of ashes in the earth will be determined by the Clergy.
How large is the Columbarium?
Individual niches are 12" wide by 12" high. They are 17" deep. Each niche will accommodate two standard urns. There are a total of 84 niches.
Would you like more information?
Our Rector, Debbie Rutter, is available to discuss cremation as an option for Christian burial. Please contact the parish office at 635-2763.
Other contacts:
- General information about the Memorial Garden
- Landscaping and planting
- Frank Baxter 540-636-3094.
- Purchasing a niche or site
- Linda or Chris Fleet 540-635-4239.
- Purchase a memorial item for the Garden
- Bonnie Landis 540-635-3591
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