St Mary's Parish Resurrection Columbarium Q&A's

1.      Q.     What is the Church’s teaching on cremation?

A.      The Church does not prohibit cremation unless it is done for reasons contrary to Church teaching.

2.      Q.     Why can’t I just keep the ashes of my relative in my home where I can feel close to him or her?

A.      The purpose for burying the remains is so that the faithful departed will share a visible participation in Christ’s three days in the tomb. Inurning the cremains of a loved one assists those going through mourning. We would never consider taking the body of a loved one back home after the funeral, but that is what the cremains are. Practically speaking, eventually the caring for the urn containing the ashes of a loved one becomes a burden. Too often the ashes can be spilled or otherwise unintentionally disrespected. The eventual passing of the person who has the ashes at home can create a problem for the family. 

3.      Q.     Is it better to have the cremation before or after the funeral?

A.      The Church prefers that when a family chooses cremation that the body be present for the funeral rites before the cremation takes place and then afterward the remains be buried. This must be discussed with the pastor or his rep-representative when funeral arrangements are being made.

4.      Q.     What does the word “columbarium” mean?

A.      It means a dovecote from the Latin word for dove, “columba”, because the niches remind us of dove or pigeon nesting places.

5.      Q.     What is a “niche?”

A.      A niche is a deep rectangular recess in the columbarium wall designed to hold cremains. It is covered in the front with a granite facing or memorial stone.

6.      Q.     Am I really buying the niche?

A.      You are not acquiring any portion of church property. Absolute title and control of the columbarium and all its component parts remain with and in St. Mary’s.

7       Q.     Who is eligible to purchase the use of niches in the columbarium?

A.      Our columbarium provides a service for Catholics and their spouses who may not be Catholic, and is not intended for the general public. The actual use of any niche is restricted to the purchaser. 

8       Q.     How many sets of cremains can be accommodated in each niche?

A.      A maximum of two urns are permitted.

9       Q.     What happens if I wish to have a family member's cremated remains removed from the Columbarium?

A.      The contract and fee schedule provide that the niche purchaser may request to have the urn removed and must pay a fee to cover the costs.

10.    Q.     What happens if I purchase a niche, and then change my mind?

A.      The contract is not transferable but may be sold back to St. Mary’s at the original purchase price less a buyback fee.       

11.    Q.     What is the price for a niche?

A.      The fee schedule is attached.

12.    Q.     What do I get for my money?

A.      The price includes the urn(s), nameplate(s), and memorial stone.

13.    Q.     How do I arrange for a nameplate for the urn and the memorial stone in front of the niche?

A.      Under the contract with Homecoming Inc., St. Mary’s will supply the nameplate and the engraving of the stone. This is for purposes of uniformity and general esthetics, so that the columbarium will remain attractive. The engraving is limited to the name, middle or maiden name (or initial) and surname, with the years of birth and death.

14.    Q.     What if I would like to purchase a different urn, nameplate, or memorial stone?

 A.      Only the urn, nameplate, and memorial stone supplied by St. Mary’s will be used in the columbarium.

15.    Q.     What happens to the money collected from the sales of the niches?

A.      The money goes into a fund that is used to pay only for the maintenance and operation of the columbarium. Any money beyond that can be used for other parish needs.

16.    Q.     When may people visit the Columbarium?

A.      A schedule for the columbarium will be posted on the church bulletin boards or in the Sunday bulletin. Special arrangements may be arranged by phoning the Parish Office if the staff is available.

17.    Q.     Is there a religious service for the placing of the cremated remains within the niche?

A.      Yes, there is. The Committal Service as part of the funeral with the cremains or after the cremation is both beautiful and comforting. 

18.    Q.     May I arrange to bring some guests in to view the Columbarium and see a niche?

A.      Yes. Simply telephone the Parish Office to make an appointment.

19.    Q.     How do I arrange for flowers?

A.      Only natural flowers will be permitted in the locations and containers provided in the Columbarium. Funeral and memorial flowers will be limited to display for 5 days or less depending on conditions.

20.    Q.     The area around the columbarium is just dirt, rocks, and weeds. What is going to be done with it?

A.      The landscaping of the columbarium area is part of the planning process that is currently going on. We hope to begin landscaping after the plans and the budgeting are completed.

21.    Q.     How much did the columbarium cost to build?

A.      The total cost for the columbarium project was $146,517.36. There are parishioners who donated their efforts and other resources that are not included in this cost.

22.    Q.     Will the columbarium pay for itself?

A.      It is unlikely that the columbarium will recover all of the costs for building it. However, at the current pricing, it will come very close.

23.    Q.     If St. Mary’s Parish were to be dissolved, or should cease to exist, what would happen with the cremains in the Columbarium?

A.      Should such an unlikely event occur, the cremains would be moved to another columbarium or cemetery at no charge.