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About the Columbarium and Sullivan Gardens
The church speaks to us and ministers to us at all of the meaningful events in our lives, from the cradle to the grave. We celebrate baptisms, confirmations and marriages within the church. Together, we try to meet the needs of others during illnesses, times of crisis and finally death.
A vital ministry of this congregation is caring for the members and families of First Presbyterian Church at their time of death. The Columbarium provides a comforting and protected resting place for people who have invested their lives in the ministry of this church.
Sullivan Gardens, the setting for our Columbarium, instills a sense of peace and God’s presence. The Columbarium area in Sullivan Gardens has been landscaped to complement the granite markers designating the sites for interment. Cast bronze markers identify the deceased and hold for generations to follow their birth and death dates. The lush green grass covering the urns holding the ashes reminds us of the Scripture “ashes to ashes, dust to dust.”
Churchyard cemeteries were a tradition in Europe and America, and can still be found near many historic places of worship as well as near many country churches. There is comfort and peace in knowing you will be laid to rest at the church in which you have worshiped, witnessed baptisms and perhaps participated in marriages.
Our church reached out to meet a perceived need of its members when it established the Columbarium in 1991. The word columbarium is derived from the Latin word <i>calumba</i> meaning “dove,” the symbol of God’s Spirit. The concept has been in existence for centuries but came to life at our church on Easter Sunday 1992. The original 112 spaces were dedicated that day.
Acceptance of the concept has been vigorous. An additional 224 spaces were completed in 1999-2000, bringing the total available to 336. In 2005, there were only 54 spaces available and a decision was made to commence another expansion. Recently, an additional 312 spaces were completed bringing the total to 648. As of Summer 2010, 440 spaces are now either occupied or reserved by our church members and their families (116 used and 324 reserved). Click Here to read the names of the First Presbyterian Church members who are interred in the columbarium.
Who Can Be Interred Here?
The niches are reserved for past and present church members and their immediate family. Traditional funeral or committal services may continue as usual in the church. Each niche bears a plate indicating the person’s legal name and dates of birth and death.
May I Choose a Particular Niche?
The choice of the niche or niches is up to you, offered on a “first-come” basis. Your niche will receive perpetual care under the supervision of the Session of the church.
What About Costs?
The Columbarium offers a very cost effective burial arrangement. You and your family may commit to having your remains interred by signing an agreement for this right. The cost is $500 per right of interment, plus the cost of the urn and bronze marker at the time of interment.
What Is a Columbarium?
A columbarium is an area consecrated to the perpetual housing of the remains of the deceased. The name “columbarium” is derived from the Latin word columba, which means dove, the symbol of God’s Spirit and peace.
Why a Columbarium at the Church?
During our lifetime, the church has been our spiritual home and it is therefore an appropriate place to remain. The Columbarium is a modern version of the earlier burial in a church courtyard. Churchyard cemeteries were a tradition in Europe and America. They can still be found near historic places as well as small country churches. There is something very comforting about being laid to rest near the church in which you worshiped.
For contract information and plot location availability, please contact Cindy Bozman (298-9507 or cbozman@fpcnashville.org).
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