Columbarium Frequently Asked Questions
- May Catholics be cremated? Yes, the bodies of Catholics may be cremated. Families do not need to ask permission of the Church for a loved one to be cremated. For more information see this article on the Diocese of Little Rock website. Church Teaching on Cremation
- Where are the cremated remains to be placed? The cremated remains must be buried in a grave or placed in a niche in a sacred structure known as a Columbarium.
- What is a Columbarium? A columbarium is an edifice that houses cremated remains. The name Columbarium is derived from the Latin Columba or “dovecote”, the dove being the symbol of God’s Spirit and of peace.
- May my non-Catholic spouse's cremated remains be placed in the Columbarium? Yes, as long as they are a baptized person.
- May the cremated remains be mixed with the remains of other individuals, pets, or other objects? No, this practice has never been acceptable.
- What are the benefits of purchasing a niche in advance? Prearranging your funeral and related expenses is the best way of ensuring that your wishes are honored. In the planning process you will have a chance to research your options and make a carefully thought-out decision.
- What additional fees/expenses would be required to be laid to rest there? The fees listed are for the niche/plaque engraving only. Any costs associated with the funeral home, urns, cremation itself or the funeral mass/service are separate and not included in the fee listed. There are no annual or ongoing fees.
- May a particular niche be chosen? Yes, niches will be offered on a “first come, first served” basis once the contract is signed and payment received.
- What size is an individual niche and a double niche? Single Niches are 12” x 12” x 12” Double Niches are 12” x 12” x 24”
- Would the niche price include taxes? Sales tax would not be applicable in this case. We are not actually selling a niche or a part of the columbarium to individuals, rather for a fee the parish is allowing remains to be interred in its columbarium (i.e., the parish retains ownership and there is no sale that would dictate that sales tax be applied).
- Will these be sealed niches? Yes, each niche will be individually sealed, and an exterior plaque attached after interment.
- What if I decide not to use the niche? Will my fee be forfeited? Yes, the fee would be forfeited. However, we do plan to allow you to transfer or gift the niche to another individual as long as the transfer is approved by the parish priest.
- What is the size of the plaque on the outside of the niche and what is the inscription requirements? Inscription shall include Full Name of the Deceased, Date of Birth and Date of Death. Size of Plaque is 11 x 7 inches.
- How does the actual placement of the cremated remains in the Columbarium work? The Columbarium is a sacred structure. Therefore, only a religious ceremony approved by the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock may be conducted at the Columbarium. Only the Pastor of the Church, or another person authorized by the Pastor, shall officiate at a Committal Service in the Columbarium. The Committal Service shall be at the convenience of the Pastor and the family of the deceased person to be committed and shall be conducted according to the Rites prescribed in Canon Law and approved by the Pastor.
- What about floral arrangements and other mementos in the Columbarium? Flowers, flags, signs and other decorations will be allowed in the Columbarium only at the time of the Committal Service. Flowers, flags, signs, and other decorations may not be placed in or near the Columbarium. Prohibited items will be removed and disposed of by the Church without notice and without liability to the holder of the Columbarium Contract, the Estate of any person inurned in the Columbarium or any other person or group.
- What are the visitation hours of the Columbarium? The Columbarium garden is outdoors and is available anytime.
- What about care and permanency? Our church staff is designated with the responsibility of perpetually caring for the Columbarium. In the event that Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church or the Columbarium shall be relocated or ceases to operate or in the event of destruction of the Columbarium, the Church or extreme damage to the church grounds resulting from accident, natural disaster, or act of God, the Church shall cause the re-committal of the ashes with the relocated facility.
