| "Growing in Grace - Sharing Christ's Love" |
1000 Washington Avenue
Cloquet, MN 55720
218-879-4647
www.zioncloquet.org
Cloquet, MN 55720
218-879-4647
www.zioncloquet.org
| Zion Lutheran Church & Preschool |
| A COLUMBARIUM AT ZION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
What is a columbarium?
A cabinet with recessed compartments for placement of cremated remains of deceased.
Are more people choosing cremation in recent years?
Yes. In Carlton County, cremation was about 45%, among the highest in Minnesota.
How large of a space would a columbarium take up?
Individual niches of a columbarium are quite small. An area 4 feet by 8 feet and 18 inches deep provides space for 72
internment units, or niches.
If a columbarium were located at Zion, where would it be placed?
Because of the small area it would take up, there are several locations, either inside or outside the building where it could
be located. If outside, a likely location would be near the base of the bell tower in the memorial garden. If inside, there are
many possible locations, in the narthex,, sanctuary, lounge, or in a separate room.
What are the advantages of an inside columbarium vs. outside?
An outside location is available for visitation 24 hours per day. Some people prefer cremated remains to be located outside.
Costs associated with an outside columbarium are generally slightly higher than an inside one.
An inside columbarium is available for visitation when the church is open during business hours, before and after church
services, or by special appointment. With our cold winters, some people prefer an inside location which allows visitation
in a controlled climate.
If a columbarium were installed at Zion, must I be interned there?
No. It is only for those who chose this form of internment. You are free to choose cremation or burial at a cemetery of
your choice.
How would a columbarium be financed?
The cost of constructing and operating the columbarium would be done at no expense to Zion Lutheran Church. The
costs paid for internment by those who choose a columbarium would be used to finance the construction, operation and
maintenance.
What is the expected cost for internment?
The anticipated cost for an internment niche (space for 2 internments) is about $750.
If a columbarium was provided at Zion, when would it be ready for internments?
The date when it would be ready depends upon the number of people that would commit to internment and pay the
internment fee. There will need to be a threshold number of people that commit to internment in order to finance the
project and determine the construction go-ahead.
Where can I get more information about establishing a columbarium at Zion?
You can consult the December or September 2003 Zion newsletter, or contact the Zion Church secretary who can put
you in touch with the columbarium committee members.
On September 12, immediately following each worship service, the task force members will conduct a tour of the 5 main
sites that the task force has identified for a columbarium here at Zion Lutheran Church. The task force has been studying
the areas that could be used to hold the ashes of cremated loved ones in a bank of niches specially designed for the site
finally chosen. The sites will include areas inside the church and on the church grounds.
The columbarium task force has been working on this project based on a congregational survey taken in 2003, and a
unanimous vote at the annual meeting in January, 2004, to proceed with the study. The task force invites you ALL to
take the tours and participate in discussions and help make the ultimate decisions that have to be made.
The task force members include: Ed Ballman, Jackie Nelson, Mona Parise, Jan Pauna, Duane Lula, Nancy Stevens and
Pastor Barbara. If you have questions, feel free to speak with any of these people.
A cabinet with recessed compartments for placement of cremated remains of deceased.
Are more people choosing cremation in recent years?
Yes. In Carlton County, cremation was about 45%, among the highest in Minnesota.
How large of a space would a columbarium take up?
Individual niches of a columbarium are quite small. An area 4 feet by 8 feet and 18 inches deep provides space for 72
internment units, or niches.
If a columbarium were located at Zion, where would it be placed?
Because of the small area it would take up, there are several locations, either inside or outside the building where it could
be located. If outside, a likely location would be near the base of the bell tower in the memorial garden. If inside, there are
many possible locations, in the narthex,, sanctuary, lounge, or in a separate room.
What are the advantages of an inside columbarium vs. outside?
An outside location is available for visitation 24 hours per day. Some people prefer cremated remains to be located outside.
Costs associated with an outside columbarium are generally slightly higher than an inside one.
An inside columbarium is available for visitation when the church is open during business hours, before and after church
services, or by special appointment. With our cold winters, some people prefer an inside location which allows visitation
in a controlled climate.
If a columbarium were installed at Zion, must I be interned there?
No. It is only for those who chose this form of internment. You are free to choose cremation or burial at a cemetery of
your choice.
How would a columbarium be financed?
The cost of constructing and operating the columbarium would be done at no expense to Zion Lutheran Church. The
costs paid for internment by those who choose a columbarium would be used to finance the construction, operation and
maintenance.
What is the expected cost for internment?
The anticipated cost for an internment niche (space for 2 internments) is about $750.
If a columbarium was provided at Zion, when would it be ready for internments?
The date when it would be ready depends upon the number of people that would commit to internment and pay the
internment fee. There will need to be a threshold number of people that commit to internment in order to finance the
project and determine the construction go-ahead.
Where can I get more information about establishing a columbarium at Zion?
You can consult the December or September 2003 Zion newsletter, or contact the Zion Church secretary who can put
you in touch with the columbarium committee members.
On September 12, immediately following each worship service, the task force members will conduct a tour of the 5 main
sites that the task force has identified for a columbarium here at Zion Lutheran Church. The task force has been studying
the areas that could be used to hold the ashes of cremated loved ones in a bank of niches specially designed for the site
finally chosen. The sites will include areas inside the church and on the church grounds.
The columbarium task force has been working on this project based on a congregational survey taken in 2003, and a
unanimous vote at the annual meeting in January, 2004, to proceed with the study. The task force invites you ALL to
take the tours and participate in discussions and help make the ultimate decisions that have to be made.
The task force members include: Ed Ballman, Jackie Nelson, Mona Parise, Jan Pauna, Duane Lula, Nancy Stevens and
Pastor Barbara. If you have questions, feel free to speak with any of these people.