Somers Congregational Church
Memorial Garden
For centuries Christian churches have provided a place for the burial of
the dead. Family members and loved ones were laid to rest within the
sanctuary of the church grounds. The Somers Congregational Church continues
this tradition with the establishment of a Memorial Garden in the very
shadow of our Meeting House. Although the Memorial Garden is not a cemetery,
it serves in much the same way as the traditional church burial ground.
Designated as a final resting place for the ashes of deceased members and
friends of the church and their families, the Memorial Garden is a place
that lends itself to meditation, remembrance and celebration. You may also
choose to have a stone engraved with a loved one’s name and dates of birth
and death, though burial has taken place elsewhere. As ashes are interred
and loved ones remembered, the garden provides an ongoing reminder of God’s
presence in our lives, and points the way to life beyond life.
Under the watchful care of the Memorial Garden Committee and our pastor,
the Garden is an appropriate location for the burial of ashes, and a fitting
place to remember, honor, and celebrate the lives of loved ones.
Use of the Garden
The Memorial Garden may be used by current and former church members and
their families (spouse, parent or children) and significant friends of the
church. All final decisions regarding use of the Garden are made by the
Memorial Garden Committee and the pastor.
There are several options for use of an individual for each 14" x 14"
burial plot:
- Ashes may be interred in an approved container.
- Ashes may be placed directly in the ground (the church has an urn with
a replaceable lining that may used to transfer ashes to the Garden).
- A small amount of ashes may be scattered among the plantings in the
Garden or on top of the burial plot, with the remaining ashes interred
either in a container or directly into the ground.
- Remains may be in another location and a marker inscribed in memory of
the deceased.
The cost for each of these options is the same.
A Committal Service
When we speak of a Committal Service, we speak only of the worship
service during which a person’s remains are laid in their final resting
place. Generally a separate funeral or memorial service is held either
immediately prior to the Committal Service, or at some other time.
Arrangements for a Committal Service must be made through the pastor and
the Memorial Garden Committee. Every effort will be made to accommodate
family needs and schedules. Our pastor will lead the Committal Service,
which will be done in accordance with the Burial Rites of the United Church
of Christ.
Markers
Granite markers were provided by the Memorial Garden Committee and set
permanently in place during the construction of the garden. At the time of
interment, the marker will be inscribed with the full name of the deceased
and the dates of birth and death. No other symbols, titles or words may be
used on the marker. Inscriptions are inscribed by a stone carver designated
by the Memorial Garden Committee. The owner of the plot assumes the cost of
the inscription.
Other markers or decorations are not allowed in the Garden, with the
exception of cut flowers on the day of interment. On Veterans Day and
Memorial Day, the Memorial Garden Committee will place a small American flag
near the marker of each veteran interred in the Garden.
The Remembrance Book
The Memorial Garden Committee maintains a book containing a chronological
and an alphabetical listing of those interred in the Garden with a notation
of their plot location. The book also contains a section of biographical and
genealogical information about those interred. Family and friends are asked
to provide material for the book, which might include a poem, picture or
memorial statement, to help remember the person in a special way.
The Memorial Garden Committee and the pastor of Somers Congregational
Church are available to assist in the selection of material and will have
editorial oversight of material submitted for the book.
The Memorial Garden Committee also maintains a permanent location record
of the placement of those interred in the Garden.
Cost of a Burial Plot
The fee for use of the Garden covers the cost of the individual burial
plot and its perpetual care, a memorial marker and a page in The Remembrance
Book. The cost for a single plot is $500. The cost of inscribing the
memorial marker is not included in this fee.
Donations
Financial contributions for care of the Memorial Garden are always
welcome. We cannot accept donations of plants, trees, statuary, or other
items. We welcome funds that can be used to make the Memorial Garden a place
for quiet meditation and an appropriate resting place for loved ones. Donors
may use a portion of their donation toward the purchase of a burial plot.
Donations exceeding the cost of a plot are tax deductible. Checks may be
made payable to: SCC/Memorial Garden Fund.
More Information
If you would like more information about the Somers Congregational Church
Memorial Garden, please contact the church office at 860-763-4021 or E-mail
SomersCong@SomersNow.com. A member of the
Memorial Garden Committee or the pastor will be in touch with you.
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