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Text Box: Columbarium Committee Continues Work By Rev. Richard Evans

Text Box: For the past 6 months a special committee has been exploring the feasibility of establishing a Columbarium on the church grounds—for the interment of the cremated remains of church members. The committee has researched products from several companies and has decided on the Eickhof Columbaria Company of Crookstan MN (www.eickhofcolumbaria.com) Eickhof recently submitted a proposal for installation of an 81-niche wall-mounted Columbarium to be attached to the east exterior wall of the Worship Center (not far from the east door to the new parking area). (This is just an example for illustration of proposal. Editor) The committee’s vision includes the creation of a small memorial garden with

Text Box: shrubs, flowers and benches. The Columbarium would be a modern counterpart to the old church cemetery. It will consist of 8” x 8” x 16” niches, each able to accommodate up to two urns. Each niche will have a granite front with space for engraving the name, DOB, and DOD of each person whose remains are interred. Members of the committee have been reviewing the Eickhof proposal over the summer and will bring a recommendation to the Church Council in the early fall. If adopted, FUMC will begin selling niches at pre-construction prices in order to raise money for the purchase and installation of the Columbarium. If approved, the committee expects installation of the Columbarium by April or May 2006, with landscaping and completion to follow. Church-installed columbaria are becoming increasingly popular as cremation becomes more acceptable—and even preferable for many—as an alternative to traditional burial. Our Columbarium, if approved, will provide church members with a beautiful and

Text Box: very affordable permanent location for their cremated remains. The purchase price of each niche will include perpetual care, guaranteed by contract and through a special “maintenance and care” fund. Interest in this project has been growing as more of our church members and friends learn about it. If you would like to be contacted with the specifics when FUMC begins selling niches, prior to placing our order with Eickhof Columbaria Company, please give your name to Lyn Romano in the church office. She will keep a list of interested persons and families. Meanwhile, cremated remains of some members who have recently died may be kept safely either at the church or at home, pending installation of the Columbarium. And cremated remains interred elsewhere may be moved to our location once it is completed. Members of the Columbarium Committee are: Ted Archambault, Holli Benthusen, John Gibbs, Patricia Ludlow, Peggy Powell, Mark Whittaker, and Richard Evans—chairman.

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