Funerals
Funerals at St. Christohers are a ministry of hospitality. In addition to funeral services we also offer Life Transition and Pre Planning events. For more information contact office@stchristophers-mn.org.
Columbarium
A Return to the Tradition of the Columbarium in the Christ Child Chapel
From earliest Christian times there has been a cherished Church tradition of burying the dead in crypts, churchyards, and chapels within the Nave structures. This was a natural development among the early Christians of ancient Rome who fled to the catacombs during their persecution. They set aside special burial areas within the catacombs. These areas were blessed by the church and were typically associated with the Church's gathering for prayers and the offering of the Eucharist of the faithful.
This burial chamber was often referred to as a columbarium, the Latin word for dovecot-the dwelling place of a coluba, the dove. The use of this name may well have developed together with the custom of blessing the burial areas--thus calling to mind the Holy Spirit whose presence was especially sensed in the resting place of the departed and whose symbol is the dove.
In recent years there has been a widespread return to the ancient custom of using fire to speed the normal process of returning the body, whose soul has departed, to the dust of the earth from which it came. This practice of cremation has, in turn, made practical a return to the columbarium as a place of interment, making it possible for the ashes of the faithful to be deposited within the structure of the church itself, as was common in times past.
Above information courtesy of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Rochester, MN.
AUTHORITY
Responsibility for the use and care of the Columbarium is under the direction of the Vestry of St. Christopher's Church with the assistance of a Columbarium Committee.
ELIGIBILITY
The ashes of present or past parish members, their families, and others with valid ties to the parish are eligible for interment in the columbarium.
INTERMENT SERVICES
A religious service shall be held with each interment. This service shall be conducted by a member of St. Christopher's clergy unless the Church Rector has delegated such responsibility. A member of St. Christopher's clergy shall be present at all interment services.
INSCRIPTIONS
The niche shutter inscription shall include the name plus birth and death dates of each person interred. The shutter inscription shall be arranged by the Columbarium Committee.
COSTS
Current one-time cost for a niche capable of handling two human cremains is $1,000. An exact description of what is covered by this fee is provided in the Rules and Regulations governing the management and use of the Columbarium. A copy can be obtained in the parish office.
RESERVATION
Niches may be reserved in advance of need by payment of the specified fee and the niche location may be selected at that time. 45 niches make up the current installation. Application forms are available in the parish office.
RECORDS
Records of reservations, interments, niche shutter inscriptions, and other matters pertaining to the Columbarium will be maintained by the Columbarium Committee and are available in the parish office.
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