ICGC Columbarium (Updated April 17, 2018)

The Columbarium at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

Mission

Create and maintain a permanent resting place for deceased members of the parish and other Catholic community families providing:

- A convenient church site for conducting rites of the Church -

funerals, memorial services, and inurnments.

- A Catholic sacred space for the repose of a loved one’s

cremains with long term care and maintenance.

- A beautiful prayer garden area for visitation and meditation.

- A cost effective and environmentally beneficial manner of repose

Frequently asked questions

What is a Columbarium?

A columbarium is a permanent group of niches within a wall of brick, each housing one or two urns for the repose of cremated remains of the departed. The Columbarium and Prayer Garden at Immaculate Conception is located in the back of the main church building. Phase 1 has 116 niches located on both sides of the statue of "Our Lady of Lourdes". Our columbarium offers niches 8" x 8" or niches 12" x 12".

May Catholics be cremated?

Yes. In May 1963, The Vatican’s Holy office (now the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith) permitted Catholics to choose cremation. This permission was incorporated into the revised Code of Canon Law 1983 (Canon #1176), as well as into the Order of Christian Funerals. It then became standard practice to celebrate the funeral liturgies with the body present, with cremation taking place after the liturgy. Most recently the bishops of the United States and the Holy See have authorized the celebration of a Catholic funeral liturgy with the cremation remains present. The Church encourages placement of the cremations remains in a final resting place.

Can I purchase a columbarium niche ahead of time (pre-need)?

Yes, absolutely. When a family plans ahead of time to select their columbarium niche it allows several positive things to happen:

 - It allows a person, or couple to make their own decision in a more

objectively financial way.

 - It keeps other family members from being forced at a very difficult

time to make decisions for you.

 - It allows for the best opportunity to choose location for

columbarium inurnment.

 - If an unfortunate accident or a long term illness occurs, your family

will have fewer decisions to make.

 - It also simplifies the decision-making process because one price

includes engraving the front piece, opening and closing the niche

and one or two urns.

Maintenance

The Columbarium will be a self-sustaining entity totally supported by the proceeds from donations, licensing of niches, and sale of memorials. A special fund controls all expenditures, including maintenance, in perpetuity.

Niche License Includes

- The use of the niche in perpetuity for one or two urns.

- Opening and closing of the niche.

- Engraving of the cover plate with the full name, date of birth and date

of death of the deceased.

- Long term care and maintenance of the entire Columbarium area.

Columbarium Committee Members

Steve Ekhaml steve.icgc@gmail.com

Co-Chairperson

Diana Larkins

Co-Chairperson

Members

Gerald Arter

Christy Warren

Juan Avila

Russ Whited

Lainy Inquimboy

William Davis

Advisor

Rev. Jason Caganap, CRM, JCL

Additional Information

Available at Parish Office 843-572-1270