|
St. Andrew’s Memorial Garden and Columbarium
A columbarium, a facility dedicated on church grounds for the internment of the dead, hasl been added to St. Andrew’s campus. For many people raised in the Catholic Church a columbarium is a new concept, but it actually has its roots in the early church when cemeteries were built on church property.
Columbarium Dedicated on November 2, 2006
St. Andrew’s Columbarium was dedicated in a candlelight service on All Souls Day, Nov. 2, 2006. Although the Columbarium appears different from what we normally consider a cemetery to look like – it is a cemetery just the same. It is the final resting place of the loved ones of our parish. Children are welcomed and indeed encouraged to visit, but please remember that this is sacred ground. Please dissuade children from playing in or around the Columbarium and surrounding garden areas.
What is a Columbarium?
Simply put, a columbarium is an edifice that houses cremated remains. The columbarium at St. Andrew’s will offer people the option of a burial site near the church, thereby completing their earthly spiritual journey near where they worshiped.
Where is located?
St. Andrew’s columbarium is built into the hillside between the church and the chapel. A burial site near the church, a tradition originating in the early church, makes a powerful statement of our faith: our ultimate goal is to live this life in Christ so that one day, through death, we can share in eternal life with God.
There are 400 niches with each niche capable of holding the remains of two people. Depending on demand, it can be expanded to 1700 niches at a later date. For those who would like another way to remember loved ones, a place for memorial plaques will be located in the same garden adjacent to the columbarium.
Does Catholic law regarding burials allow for cremation?
Canon Law Book IV, Part II, Title III Can. 1176 §3 states, “The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burial be retained; but it does not forbid cremation, unless this is chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching.”
Earlier church laws against cremation developed centuries ago as a reaction to pagan beliefs. During that time, pagans would cremate the dead, believing that all life for that person was over. In fact, Christian martyrs were cremated by pagans so as to deny them the resurrection of the body. Catholicism therefore forbade cremation as a way to affirm its belief in the resurrection of the body.
Vatican Council II reinstated permission for cremation in 1962, but it was not widely publicized. However, in recent years, cremation has become more accepted by Catholics for both personal and financial reasons. Another important change within church doctrine came in 1998 when cremated remains were allowed into church for a funeral service. Prior to this, cremation had to take place after the funeral. The church, however, does not allow for scattering of ashes at any location.
For more information, contact Lucille Wargo at lucille@saintandrew.org or Pete Burke at pburke@saintandrew.org . You can also call the parish office at (919) 362-0414.
Policy and Guideline Information
Parishioner Pre-Construction Price List
Non- parishioner Pre-Construction Price List
Architectural Photos
|
