Canyon Creek Canyon Creek Canyon Creek Canyon Creek

Presbyterian Church’s Presbyterian Church’s Presbyterian Church’s Presbyterian Church’s

ColumbariumColumbariumColumbariumColumbarium

For many centuries cemeteries were commonly found in churchyards, allowing churches to minister to the spiritual needs of their members, from baptism through life to death. Clearly, urban churches cannot build cemeteries today. But there is a modern alternative which more and more churches are offering their members: the Columbarium.

A Columbarium is a collection of niches designed to house urns containing cremated human remains (cremains). Inscribed with the persons’ names and dates of birth and death, Columbaria are constructed to serve as permanent structures in churchyards or within churches themselves.

Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church’s Columbarium, located in the southeast corner of CCPC (next to the main entrance stairs), will be designed and landscaped to complement the beauty of our church building and grounds.

The Columbarium is self-funded, using income derived from the sale of niches for construction and operation.

Benefits of a ColumbariumBenefits of a ColumbariumBenefits of a ColumbariumBenefits of a Columbarium

• Spiritual Site for Final Resting -- The principal benefit a Columbarium affords church members and their families is the opportunity to select their final resting place in the shadow of the church which has been central to their lives, a sacred site of beauty and dignity where their loved ones can visit and meditate at any time they visit the church.

• Simplicity of Planning – The purchase of a Columbarium niche eliminates the pressures of choosing a burial site, casket, vault and monument; also, there is no need to plan for inurnment and memorial services at different locations and times.

• Substantial Financial Savings -- With the Columbarium, significant costs are limited to cremation, the niche and the obituary.

creating an option forcreating an option forcreating an option forcreating an option for

Christian burials Christian burials Christian burials Christian burials

at our church home at our church home at our church home at our church home

If I am a designated organ donor, will this If I am a designated organ donor, will this If I am a designated organ donor, will this If I am a designated organ donor, will this

delay cremation after my death?delay cremation after my death?delay cremation after my death?delay cremation after my death?

No, organs for transplant must be harvested very shortly after death, so there is no appreciable delay in the availability of the body for cremation.

Who administers the Columbarium?Who administers the Columbarium?Who administers the Columbarium?Who administers the Columbarium?

The Columbarium is part of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church and functions under the authority of the Session. A Columbarium Committee, appointed by the Pastor and approved annually by the Session, oversees operation of the Columbarium.

Where did the word “Columbarium” Where did the word “Columbarium” Where did the word “Columbarium” Where did the word “Columbarium”

come from?come from?come from?come from?

The word “columbarium” comes from the Latin word for dove or pigeon, and refers literally to a place where doves or pigeons live; if you will, “pigeon holes.”

If I have other questions, whom should I If I have other questions, whom should I If I have other questions, whom should I If I have other questions, whom should I

call?call?call?call?

You are encouraged to call one of our pastors at 972-238-8103, or ask the chair of the Columbarium Committee call you with additional information.

of

Canyon Creek

Presbyterian

Church

Canyon Creek Presbyterian ChurchCanyon Creek Presbyterian ChurchCanyon Creek Presbyterian ChurchCanyon Creek Presbyterian Church

www.canyoncreekpres.org

3901 North Star Road, Richardson, Texas 75082 972-238-8103

May I select the niche that I want?May I select the niche that I want?May I select the niche that I want?May I select the niche that I want?

Niche assignments are controlled by the Columbarium Committee and are allocated in accord with the desires of each applicant on a first-come, first-served basis, determined by the date of receipt of a fully completed, paid-in-full application.

If I have no family member with whom I If I have no family member with whom I If I have no family member with whom I If I have no family member with whom I

wish to share a niche, will someone else’s wish to share a niche, will someone else’s wish to share a niche, will someone else’s wish to share a niche, will someone else’s

cremains ever be placed in my niche cremains ever be placed in my niche cremains ever be placed in my niche cremains ever be placed in my niche

without my permission?without my permission?without my permission?without my permission?

No. Normally, only a family member’s cremains whom you select will share your niche. However, if two unrelated persons who are otherwise eligible for inurnment so choose, they may share a niche and its cost.

What happens if I purchase a niche and What happens if I purchase a niche and What happens if I purchase a niche and What happens if I purchase a niche and

decide later, for any reason, not to use it?decide later, for any reason, not to use it?decide later, for any reason, not to use it?decide later, for any reason, not to use it?

Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, acting through the Columbarium Committee, will repurchase your niche for the same price at which you purchased it. The niche cannot be sold to or used by anyone other than those listed in the original purchase.

What if I have already made other What if I have already made other What if I have already made other What if I have already made other

burial arrangements?burial arrangements?burial arrangements?burial arrangements?

Should you prefer inurnment at the CCPC Columbarium instead, you should contact the facility with which you made arrangements to learn how those arrangements can be terminated. Some refund should be due on services paid for, but in most cases you will need to sell burial plots or mausoleum slots through the newspaper or a broker.

What if I have chosen to leave my What if I have chosen to leave my What if I have chosen to leave my What if I have chosen to leave my

remains with the willed body program?remains with the willed body program?remains with the willed body program?remains with the willed body program?

If you leave your remains with the Willed Body Program at UT Southwestern Medical School, they will be cremated when they are no longer needed, usually after six to eighteen months. If your family wishes to have your cremains inurned, there is a fee to recover them.

Why build a Columbarium at CCPC?Why build a Columbarium at CCPC?Why build a Columbarium at CCPC?Why build a Columbarium at CCPC?

There is an increasing awareness of the benefits of cremation. Through the Columbarium, CCPC will provide its members a dignified, beautiful setting for housing the cremains, all at considerable cost savings.

Who may use the Columbarium?Who may use the Columbarium?Who may use the Columbarium?Who may use the Columbarium?

Inurnment in the CCPC Columbarium is ordinarily limited to present or past members of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church and members of their immediate families, including spouses, parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren. Requests for inurnment of others may be honored following special approval by the Columbarium Committee and the Session

How many niches are in How many niches are in How many niches are in How many niches are in

the Columbarium?the Columbarium?the Columbarium?the Columbarium?

It has 350 niches, each with the capacity to hold two urns. As demand dictates, additional niches may be added in the future.

How is the Columbarium being paid for?How is the Columbarium being paid for?How is the Columbarium being paid for?How is the Columbarium being paid for?

The columbarium is being ENTIRELY SELF-FUNDED through the sale of niches.

How much does a niche cost?How much does a niche cost?How much does a niche cost?How much does a niche cost?

Each niche, holding up to two urns, costs $1,500. This cost includes two urns, opening and closing the niche for inurnment, inscription for the niche plaque and perpetual care. It does not cover the cost of cremation.

How much does cremation cost?How much does cremation cost?How much does cremation cost?How much does cremation cost?

Prices vary widely, but there are reputable funeral homes in our area which offer cremation for approximately $1,000 or less.

How do I select a Crematorium?How do I select a Crematorium?How do I select a Crematorium?How do I select a Crematorium?

Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church does not endorse specific funeral homes. However, you will receive a sample list of homes, with their prices, for your choice. It is suggested that this decision be made in advance of need. The urn used must be furnished by CCPC.

Is there a provision for member(s) unable Is there a provision for member(s) unable Is there a provision for member(s) unable Is there a provision for member(s) unable

to afford the cost of a niche?to afford the cost of a niche?to afford the cost of a niche?to afford the cost of a niche?

Whenever he or she deems it appropriate, any minister of Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church has the authority to discreetly excuse any part of or all the payment for a niche for anyone otherwise eligible. In these cases, the niche can be selected without prejudice from any of the remaining unsold niches by the person in need.

What will excess funds from sales What will excess funds from sales What will excess funds from sales What will excess funds from sales

of niches be used for?of niches be used for?of niches be used for?of niches be used for?

It is expected that funds in excess of construction costs will be generated by sales of niches. These funds will be used for the operation of the columbarium and its landscaping and perpetual care. They will also be used for any future expansion of the columbarium.

How can I arrange to purchase a niche?How can I arrange to purchase a niche?How can I arrange to purchase a niche?How can I arrange to purchase a niche?

A Columbarium Packet may be obtained by calling the Church Office at 972-238-8103. The packet contains all information you will need to complete the enclosed application, including Columbarium Rules and Regulations and a niche selection guide. This same information, plus niche availability, is available on the CCPC website. After you have returned your completed application with your payment (by either check or credit card), you will be contacted by a member of the Columbarium Committee to finalize your niche selection. Upon final acceptance of the application, a certificate covering inurnment ownership rights will be sent to the purchaser of the rights.