Introduction:
Since the earliest day of the Catholic Church, parish grounds have been the natural repository and final resting place of deceased member of the Christian community. The burial of the dead-on grounds near the parish church was once a common practice, and a beautiful symbolic expression of the cycle of life within the Church. The land necessary for a burial ground is no longer available for most parishes. In recent years, cremation with reverent disposition has become more common. But the scattering of cremated remains, or keeping of cremated remains in the home, are not the reverent disposition that the church requires. With the design of this Columbarium and adjacent Memorial Garden, Transfiguration will now have a sacred resting place where the cremated remains of the deceased faithful can be reverently placed. They will be on the grounds of the church that played such an important part in their lives, a place for our loved ones to rest until our Lord comes again. We pray that our Columbarium and Memorial Garden will offer a peaceful place for you to visit, to remember, and to ask God to intercede for your loved ones.
Columbarium Niches:
The Transfiguration Columbarium and Memorial Garden are currently in their final Design phase, with construction set to begin in the Fall of 2025. We anticipate the Dedication of the Columbarium in early 2026, and the parish will announce when the first inurnments can be held. The Columbarium will ultimately have 996 niches, located in an area to the left of the church entrance. Both areas will include flowers and plants, existing and newly planted trees, benches and statues….a comfortable meeting place for friends and family to gather in love, and to remember those who have gone to be with their Creator.
On behalf of the Catholic community of Transfiguration, thank you for trusting us to serve you by providing a sacred space for the inurning of the remains of your loved ones.
Benefits of choosing our Columbarium:
Perpetual Care: The code of Canon Law requires the Catholic Church to perpetually maintain its places of burial. Therefore, proper and perpetual care of the Columbarium is assured. A portion of your fee is committed to the guaranteed maintenance of the grounds.
Convenience: with the Columbarium only a few steps away from the front doors of the church, friends and family attending a funeral service or Mass will not need to drive to another location for the inurnment. For parishioners, the Columbarium and Memorial Garden will be nearby for the occasional visit to pay their respects.
Serenity: Our Columbarium is designed to offer a serene and peaceful environment for meditation and quiet reflection. Both the Columbarium and Memorial Garden are located on well-lighted church grounds, and visitors are welcome anytime within the posted visiting hours.
Urns:
Each niche can hold a maximum of 2 urns, and the urn(s) must fit within the dimensions of the niche, a maximum of 12” wide by 12” high by 12” deep. The church reserves the right to limit the size, type, style and material of all urns. As provided by the purchaser, a separate urn must be used for each set of cremains.
Purchasing a Niche:
Starting in July of 2025, an early Reservation form can be filled out, with an initial deposit of $1,000, to hold a place in the Columbarium. By September of 2025, those on the Reservation list will be able to choose a specific niche, complete an “Intent to Purchase” Application form, Inscription form, Designee form, receive a copy of the “Rules, Policies and Regulations” for the Columbarium, and pay the balance of the purchasing price.
The Introductory price for a niche (until Dec. 31, 2025) is $6,000.
The Standard price for a niche (after Jan. 1, 2026) is $7,000.
Price includes the specified niche and its engraved faceplate, perpetual care and all other associated costs. When the Application is approved and fees paid, the “Certificate of Right of Inurnment” will be executed and delivered to the purchaser. All donation amounts and fees must be paid prior to any inurnment.
For more information about the Columbarium, or to schedule an appointment, please contact Chip Oudt at the parish office at (770) 977-1442, or email at him at Coudt@transfiguration.com.
To view or print out important documents concerning the Columbarium, select one of the options below.