Columbarium

The columbarium at First Presbyterian Church was dedicated on May 19, 2019.

What is a columbarium?

A columbarium is a dedicated setting for the reverent disposition of cremated remains of the dead. The primary component is a structure containing niches, uniform in size, of the capacity to hold the cremated remains of one or two people, covered by a uniform granite plate inscribed in uniform fashion with names and dates of birth and death.

The committal of ashes in a columbarium is the theological and liturgical equivalent of the committal of a body to the earth, “in sure and certain hope of the resurrection.”

Situated in the courtyard adjacent to the sanctuary, the columbarium provides the opportunity for a Service of Witness to the Resurrection to be enacted in its fullness without having to leave the church precincts.

The columbarium also provides members of the First Presbyterian Church community a place for the reverent disposition of the cremated remains of loved ones whose funerals were held elsewhere.

Who may reserve a space?

Niches may be reserved by current or past members of First Presbyterian Church; spouses of members; natural or adopted children, step-children, or grand-children of members; parents or step-parents of members; and current or past ministers of the church. The structure will also have space (see “Memorial Columns,” below) where people can be memorialized without a niche.

What is the cost?

A one-time fee confers the right to exclusive use of a niche for the cremated remains of one or two persons. This fee includes the cost of inscriptions on the niche plate, but it does not include costs such as professionally licensed cremation and the purchase of urns or other appropriate containers for ashes. These fees have been calculated to include costs of building the facility, costs of engraving, and costs for ongoing care of the columbarium in its entirety.

The fee for each niche is $4,000. This does not include the cost of engraving. 

How is a niche reserved?

Specific niches, identified by number, may be reserved upon payment of the fee and execution of required documents. The administration and management of the columbarium is under the authority of the Session. Please see the full Columbarium Policies document for more information or contact the church office with any questions.

What are the Memorial Columns?

On the Memorial Columns are inscribed the names and years of birth and death of members of the First Church community whose ashes are not interred in the columbarium. The fee for a one-line inscription on a Memorial Column is $1,000.00.

How can I support the Columbarium Fund?

Gifts to the Columbarium Fund for landscape features, as memorials, and as planned gifts, will be gratefully received. Gifts may be made by check to the “First Presbyterian Church Columbarium Fund.” For other methods of giving, please contact the church office.

Columbarium Documents and Forms