COLUMBARIUM

A columbarium is a permanent structure made up of space where family members can place urns containing the ashes (or cremains) of cremated loved ones.  Members of the congregation of Epiphany have discussed having a columbarium for at least the last 10 years and probably more.  About four years ago a committee was formed to determine the need and potential use within the Church of the Epiphany.  That committee decided a columbarium would be used and started the process of obtaining the necessary paperwork to obtain a columbarium for Epiphany.  We have come a long way since then, purchasing a unit, choosing a site (only to have it relocated) and now a permanent chapel is in construction.  The chapel will be located at the front of the church on the right hand side as you enter; I encourage everyone to pay a visit, especially after completion.

Report of the Columbarium Committee March  2010

At the last Vestry meeting, approval was given to purchase 16 new niches for the Columbarium.  The new niches should arrive in about fifteen weeks after which they will be immediately installed.  The cost for a place in the Columbarium is $750 per niche, this includes the permanent resting place, an urn, an engraved nameplate and the maintenance of the facility.  This cost may seem high, but consider the average cost of a funeral can be well over $10,000 (and this may not include the cost of a burial plot and its associated expenses).  Direct cremation will cost anywhere from $800 to $1500 depending on where it takes place.  By purchasing a niche in the Columbarium you will have made a decision your family won’t need to make in the future.  Please contact any member of the Columbarium committee to purchase your niche today.

Site of the future columbarium