Memorial Garden
The Memorial Garden at First Presbyterian Church was dedicated on October 4, 2020. It is a place of peace and repose for the cremains of those who have expressed a desire to be interred within the garden wall or the garden bed. It reflects the New Testament concept of the “communion of saints” which emphasizes the church’s ongoing relationship with those who have gone before us
The Memorial Garden is a place where people can go to remember and celebrate the joys of life with their loved ones. The Memorial Garden is located near the Labyrinth, another space for contemplation and meditation. In its final completion, there will be three columbarium walls, each holding eighty secure niches for cremated human remains. The niches are uniformly inscribed with names and years of birth and death
In this first phase, we have one columbarium wall. A paved paths and benches offer an opportunity for private meditation. The design of the paving with the inserted Celtic Cross reminds us of our Christian heritage. Surrounding the central walls, landscaping also reflects our Christian heritage. The three trees planted to frame the first wall represent the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Comforter. The weeping maple reflects Jesus' tears at times of great sorrow. The large boulder opposite the maple represents the stone removed from Jesus’ grave. Other plantings will enhance the beauty and serenity of the area. Within the plantings are opportunities for the scattering of cremains
Eligibility
The Memorial Garden is available for the interment of human cremains: first to members of First Presbyterian Church and to ministers of the church and their immediate families, and second to extended families, and then to others upon approval of the Session. The term “immediate family” includes spouses, (grand)parents, children and grandchildren of church members. Session specifically reserves the right to approve all applications
Purchase & Cost
Persons desiring to reserve a right for scattering (under $600) or a space in the Garden wall (under $3,000) will complete an application form provided by the Memorial Garden Committee. The purchaser will be given a copy of the Garden policies at the time of application. The fee to participate in the Garden is a set price consisting of the actual cost of the interment (including the sheet-bronze urns for niches), the inscription of the plaque, and a donation to the Garden Fund for its care and maintenance. Amounts received over and above the actual cost is a donation to the Garden Fund and is eligible for tax benefits
Memorial Garden Fund
All monies received in payment for the right to use space in the Garden will be used for the primary purpose of the construction, perpetual care, maintenance, expansion and administration of the Garden. Those who make a gift to the Memorial Garden Fund without purchasing the right for a space in the Garden are eligible for appropriate tax benefits
The Memorial Garden Committee consists of five members elected by Session and nominated by the Garden Committee. The chair of the Property Committee also serves on the Garden Committee as an adjunct member. The committee will manage the Garden and will maintain the records of all niche purchases as well as record the identity of cremains deposited in the Garden
Please contact us at FPCMemorialGarden@gmail.com with any questions