What is a columbarium?
A columbarium is an arrangement of openings in uniform size, into which an urn of the ashes of cremated human remains can be placed for permanent memorial.
If I choose to be cremated, what are the advantages of choosing the columbarium as opposed to a cemetery?
This is a personal choice. Many people choose to be buried in a columbarium at their church, because of a strong desire to be laid to rest on the grounds of a church that they loved and served. They like the simplicity of the liturgy and want to preserve a nearness to the church and perpetuate a relationship that has been a lifelong pursuit. Those who choose to be placed in a columbarium at the church often are attracted by its religious focus and the nearness to the church. The proximity makes it convenient for visits by loved ones and for periods of meditation and reflection.
Also, the fee for being placed in one of the niches is usually less than the cost of interment in a cemetery. Other factors that may influence your decision to choose internment in a columbarium are concerns about the environment, space available in a cemetery, and the flexibility cremation offers in ceremony planning and in the disposition of the remains.
What do the niche covers look like?
Each niche shall have a granite cover, uniform in length and height, upon which shall be "cut" or engraved, only the date of birth, date of death, and the name of the deceased whose ashes it contains in three lines. Only the names of deceased Certificate of Use holders may be engraved on a niche cover. Niche covers will be provided with the niche by the church and the cover will be inscribed by the church.
Where is the First Evangelical Lutheran Scatter Garden and Columbarium situated?
The First Lutheran Church Scatter Garden and Columbarium are on the church grounds. The columbarium provides an attractive location for grieving, prayer and meditation. It is close to the church may also be used for prayer and reflection for the deceased.
I want to be buried with my spouse. Are there any provisions whereby we can be placed in the same niche?
Yes. Each niche holds two urns. Each niche can only contain two human cremains and each cremains must be containerized.
Who may be interred in First Evangelical Lutheran Church's Columbarium or Scatter Garden?
The Columbarium and Scatter Garden are intended primarily for the use of the baptized members of the Congregation and immediate family members of such individuals (spouse, parents, grandparents, siblings, children and grandchildren of the purchaser). The family members do not have to be Lutheran.
May non-members purchase in First Evangelical Lutheran Church's Columbarium or Scatter Garden?
A limited number of niches are available for purchase non-members, and may be purchased with special approval of the Columbarium Team. The purchaser may inter only family members, which is limited to the spouse, parents, grandparents, siblings, children and grandchildren of the purchaser.
What kind of committal service is performed?
Religious services of inurnment must be approved by the Pastor. Only such religious services as the Pastor may conduct, or give permission for, may be performed. No cremated remains may be inurned in a Columbarium niche or scattered in the Garden without a committal service.
What is the cost of a niche?
The fee for the reservation and use of a niche is $1,500. This fee includes inscribing the niche cover and the opening and closing of the niche. The Church will arrange for the opening and closing of the niches at the time of inurnment. The reservation and use fee does not include cremation costs, cost of urn to contain cremated remains or any other expenses or costs.
What is the cost to use the Scatter Garden?
There is no cost for usage; however, memorial gifts will be received with much appreciation.
How are the niches assigned?
The assignment of niches is made at the sole discretion of the Columbarium Team.
Will these prices ever change?
Yes and no. These are today’s prices and may be raised at any time without notice. However, once you have purchased a niche, there will be no further charges, even if the price should rise in the future.
What proof will I have that I purchased a niche?
Once you have purchased a niche, you will receive a Certificate of Use.
I purchased a niche for myself. If I later decide to add another person, can I do so?
Yes, assuming the second person meets the qualifications previously described.
May more than two people be interred in a niche?
No. There is not sufficient space in a niche for more than two urns.
What if I want to sell or give my niche to someone else?
Reserved niches may not be sold, gifted, conveyed, devised, assigned, or otherwise transferred. It can only be surrendered back to First Evangelical Lutheran Church for 25% of the fee paid.
What happens if I purchase a niche in the columbarium, then move away?
Upon receipt of your Certificate of Use for the niche, it is the intent of First Evangelical Lutheran Church to provide a refund of your original purchase price, less 25% and incurred expenses, if any, for those who have purchased the Certificate of Use but no longer plan to exercise this right.
I want to move a loved one's urn to another place.
In the event you want to surrender your Certificate of use after the inurnment of placement of ashes on an Eligible Person, or otherwise following the alteration of the niche or niches for such purposes, the niche may be surrendered to the Church for 25% of the fee paid for the privilege less costs incurred by the Church to restore the niche or niches to the original and unmarked condition.
May I decorate the area near my niche or Scatter Garden with flowers?
The columbarium site and scatter garden are perpetually maintained in a manner designed to be beautiful, serene, holy and edifying under the direction of the Columbarium Team. Additional floral arrangements, flags, statues, or other decorations may not be placed on or near a niche or any other location in the Scatter Garden and Columbarium without the written approval of the Columbarium Team. If any flowers, plants, or decorations are so placed, without the approval of the Columbarium Team, the Columbarium Team reserves the right to have any such articles removed and disposed of without notice.
A columbarium is an arrangement of openings in uniform size, into which an urn of the ashes of cremated human remains can be placed for permanent memorial.
If I choose to be cremated, what are the advantages of choosing the columbarium as opposed to a cemetery?
This is a personal choice. Many people choose to be buried in a columbarium at their church, because of a strong desire to be laid to rest on the grounds of a church that they loved and served. They like the simplicity of the liturgy and want to preserve a nearness to the church and perpetuate a relationship that has been a lifelong pursuit. Those who choose to be placed in a columbarium at the church often are attracted by its religious focus and the nearness to the church. The proximity makes it convenient for visits by loved ones and for periods of meditation and reflection.
Also, the fee for being placed in one of the niches is usually less than the cost of interment in a cemetery. Other factors that may influence your decision to choose internment in a columbarium are concerns about the environment, space available in a cemetery, and the flexibility cremation offers in ceremony planning and in the disposition of the remains.
What do the niche covers look like?
Each niche shall have a granite cover, uniform in length and height, upon which shall be "cut" or engraved, only the date of birth, date of death, and the name of the deceased whose ashes it contains in three lines. Only the names of deceased Certificate of Use holders may be engraved on a niche cover. Niche covers will be provided with the niche by the church and the cover will be inscribed by the church.
Where is the First Evangelical Lutheran Scatter Garden and Columbarium situated?
The First Lutheran Church Scatter Garden and Columbarium are on the church grounds. The columbarium provides an attractive location for grieving, prayer and meditation. It is close to the church may also be used for prayer and reflection for the deceased.
I want to be buried with my spouse. Are there any provisions whereby we can be placed in the same niche?
Yes. Each niche holds two urns. Each niche can only contain two human cremains and each cremains must be containerized.
Who may be interred in First Evangelical Lutheran Church's Columbarium or Scatter Garden?
The Columbarium and Scatter Garden are intended primarily for the use of the baptized members of the Congregation and immediate family members of such individuals (spouse, parents, grandparents, siblings, children and grandchildren of the purchaser). The family members do not have to be Lutheran.
May non-members purchase in First Evangelical Lutheran Church's Columbarium or Scatter Garden?
A limited number of niches are available for purchase non-members, and may be purchased with special approval of the Columbarium Team. The purchaser may inter only family members, which is limited to the spouse, parents, grandparents, siblings, children and grandchildren of the purchaser.
What kind of committal service is performed?
Religious services of inurnment must be approved by the Pastor. Only such religious services as the Pastor may conduct, or give permission for, may be performed. No cremated remains may be inurned in a Columbarium niche or scattered in the Garden without a committal service.
What is the cost of a niche?
The fee for the reservation and use of a niche is $1,500. This fee includes inscribing the niche cover and the opening and closing of the niche. The Church will arrange for the opening and closing of the niches at the time of inurnment. The reservation and use fee does not include cremation costs, cost of urn to contain cremated remains or any other expenses or costs.
What is the cost to use the Scatter Garden?
There is no cost for usage; however, memorial gifts will be received with much appreciation.
How are the niches assigned?
The assignment of niches is made at the sole discretion of the Columbarium Team.
Will these prices ever change?
Yes and no. These are today’s prices and may be raised at any time without notice. However, once you have purchased a niche, there will be no further charges, even if the price should rise in the future.
What proof will I have that I purchased a niche?
Once you have purchased a niche, you will receive a Certificate of Use.
I purchased a niche for myself. If I later decide to add another person, can I do so?
Yes, assuming the second person meets the qualifications previously described.
May more than two people be interred in a niche?
No. There is not sufficient space in a niche for more than two urns.
What if I want to sell or give my niche to someone else?
Reserved niches may not be sold, gifted, conveyed, devised, assigned, or otherwise transferred. It can only be surrendered back to First Evangelical Lutheran Church for 25% of the fee paid.
What happens if I purchase a niche in the columbarium, then move away?
Upon receipt of your Certificate of Use for the niche, it is the intent of First Evangelical Lutheran Church to provide a refund of your original purchase price, less 25% and incurred expenses, if any, for those who have purchased the Certificate of Use but no longer plan to exercise this right.
I want to move a loved one's urn to another place.
In the event you want to surrender your Certificate of use after the inurnment of placement of ashes on an Eligible Person, or otherwise following the alteration of the niche or niches for such purposes, the niche may be surrendered to the Church for 25% of the fee paid for the privilege less costs incurred by the Church to restore the niche or niches to the original and unmarked condition.
May I decorate the area near my niche or Scatter Garden with flowers?
The columbarium site and scatter garden are perpetually maintained in a manner designed to be beautiful, serene, holy and edifying under the direction of the Columbarium Team. Additional floral arrangements, flags, statues, or other decorations may not be placed on or near a niche or any other location in the Scatter Garden and Columbarium without the written approval of the Columbarium Team. If any flowers, plants, or decorations are so placed, without the approval of the Columbarium Team, the Columbarium Team reserves the right to have any such articles removed and disposed of without notice.
320 S State Street, Lexington, NC 27292
Phone (336) 248-6018