The Columbarium: A Ministry for Eternity
The ministry of the church touches its members in all areas of life as well as in death. As cremation is now increasingly used as an alternative to embalming, we have reviewed the historic position of the church in burial and disposition of remains. We have discovered Christians preferred burial space within the walls of the church itself. Almost all of the great cathedrals of Europe act as tombs of saints of the church, kings and queens, and other persons of prominence. Westminster Abbey has long been used as a place of burial. Cremation has been preferred to burial at Westminster since the beginning of the 20th century. The church burial grounds served early America and continue to do so today in many localities. In both ancient and Christian times, the dual tradition of burial and cremation was preserved. A columbarium within the walls of the church will allow our members to retain a connection with the church in death as well as in life and provide a place of meditation and consolation for the families of the deceased.