The Columbarium at Grace Lutheran Church
LET GO OF THE BURDEN
Uncertainty and indecision can weigh heavily when making end-of-life decisions. Take the first step in easing your mind by making a plan. Whether you ultimately choose inurnment in the Columbarium, Ossuarium, traditional burial, or another option – the choice is yours.
We can help you make a plan that honors your wishes and those of your loved ones. Once that plan is in place, you can let go of the burden. To start planning, please reach out to us.
LEAVE MEMORIES, NOT DECISIONS
As you consider options for a final resting place –either for yourself or a loved one – it’s likely that many concerns weigh on your mind. You may worry about leaving a financial burden to your family or spending too much of
your own money. If you are left to make final interment plans for a loved one, you need to decide how to treat their remains with dignity and respect. Ultimately, no one wants to be forgotten, which is why choosing a final resting place becomes such a momentous decision. Now, we are honored to provide two choices for those who choose cremation – the Columbarium or Ossuarium.
WHAT IS AN OSSUARIUM?
The Ossuarium at Grace Lutheran Church is a sacred place for the inurnment of cremated remains. It provides a secure and dignified memorial for our loved ones in a reverent space, specially designed for prayer, meditation, and remembering.
Specifically, it is a memorial that incorporates a center vault as a common resting place for cremated remains in soft urns. In addition to the communal center vault, the Columbarium also provides traditional niche spaces for those who choose non-communal inurnment. Depending on the type of inurnment chosen, names and dates will be inscribed on either the niche front or on the center memorial band.
Today, churches throughout the United States and Canada are finding that columbaria contribute to a feeling of their church family. The memorial’s seamless access to our worship space and baptismal font recalls our journey through the cycle of life and death in which nothing separates us from the love of God.
| Benefits of Ossuarium Inurnment |
| LOWER PRICE Inurnment in the Ossuarium is often more affordable than traditional burial or inurnment within a niche structure and can ease end-of-life costs. |
| LASTING MEMORIAL The Ossuarium provides a meaningful final resting place where loved ones can visit and pay their respects. |
| ENDURING BEAUTY Built from the strongest materials and with superior craftsmanship, the Ossuarium is designed to maintain its beauty for generations to come. |
WHY?
The Columbarium provides a rare opportunity to reclaim the church yard burial tradition for modern times. Burial within the Church has been a respected tradition throughout history and our Columbarium carries that tradition forward.
WHERE?
The Columbarium will be placed in the front courtyard, adjacent to the Sanctuary and Old Education Wing. It will sit atop a round stamped concrete pad and be surrounded by tasteful landscaping and benches for quiet contemplation.
BE REMEMBERED
Whether you are planning cremation for yourself or wish to inurn the ashes of a loved one, the Columbarium can provide you with the assurance that your cremains will be securely and beautifully held within a lasting monument.
HONOR THE SANCTITY OF LIFE
While cremains are often kept within the home or scattered in a meaningful location, those options are not without their disadvantages. Keeping ashes within the home can become a burden as future generations relocate or are unsure how to appropriately care for the cremains. And scattering ashes leaves loved ones without a physical space for family and friends to honor the memories of those they have lost.
The Columbarium at Grace Lutheran Church offers a place for your loved ones to be remembered and gives your family the opportunity to be inurned together at an affordable price point.
Bob King, President
615-785-3810
Email: Bob King