A Columbarium has been a dream of the
Faith United Methodist Congregation
for a number of years.
It is now a reality and a part of our Memorial Garden
Why choose the Columbarium?
Spiritual Site for Final Repose. In a return to church tradition, it provides members of the Church and their families the opportunity to choose the shadow of the church, which has been central to their lives, as their final resting place. The site is a place of beauty and dignity where friends and family can visit and meditate at any time. Simplify Arrangements. It eliminates the pressures of choosing a burial site, casket, vault and monument. It provides a place for inurnment which is a part of Faith United Methodist Church. Substantial Financial Savings. The cost of a columbarium niche is much less than a burial site, and marker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Columbarium located? The Columbarium is located on the east side of the church complex just outside of the North Sanctuary, in our new Memorial Garden.
Is the Memorial Garden available if you do not own a niche? Absolutely, the Memorial Garden is available for the quiet meditation and enjoyment of our entire Faith Family.
How many niches does the Columbarium have? The columbarium has 120 niches. Each niche has the capacity to hold two urns. Additional columbariums may be constructed in the future.
Who oversees the Columbarium? The Columbarium is a ministry of Faith United Methodist Church and functions under the authority of the Board of Trustees. A Columbarium Committee, appointed by the Trustees, oversees its operation.
Who may use the Columbarium?
Inurnment in the Columbarium is limited to present or past Church members and members of their immediate families, including spouses, parents and children. It is also available to ordained or diaconal ministers of the United Methodist Church. The Columbarium Committee or a Pastor of the Church may grant eligibility to others who are meaningfully connected to Faith.
What is the fee?
The fee to purchase a niche in the columbarium is $1,500. That fee includes the niche, one urn, one inscription and the opening and closing for inurnment. A second urn, inscription and inurnment services may be purchased for $200. Perpetual care is included in the fees. The fee does not include the cost of cremation or additional services not related to the inurnment in the columbarium.
How do I purchase a niche?
Complete a Columbarium Reservation Form and return it to the Church office with payment of the fees.When the application is approved, the applicant will be issued a signed copy of the Reservation Form, which will become the Certificate of Right of Inurnment.
May I finance the fees?
Yes. Fees may be financed at zero interest over a period of up to 36 months. A $500 deposit is required. Fees must be paid in full prior to an inurnment.
May I select the niche location?
Purchasers are allowed to select their niche location on a first-come, first-served basis when their application has been approved and fees have been paid.
May I honor a loved one by purchasing a niche?
Yes. Niches may be used as a memory marker when your loved one is buried or interned at another location.What happens if I purchase a niche and decide not to use it?
Faith UMC has the first option to repurchase your unused niche for the original purchase price. If Faith UMC declines and upon approval from the Columbarium Committee, the niche may be sold, for no more than the current purchase price, or transferred to another member or former member of Faith UMC. Once cremains are placed in a niche, no refund will be made, even if the cremains are removed by the heirs.
What if I have already made other burial arrangements?
Should you prefer inurnment in our Columbarium, you should contact the facility with which you made arrangements to learn how those arrangements can be terminated. Some refund may be due on services paid for, but in most cases you will need to sell burial plots or mausoleum slots through a broker or the newspaper.
What if I have additional questions?
More complete information is available in our “Columbarium Policy and Procedures” manual along with the niche reservation forms. You may also contact Doug Abbott, Director of Church Administration at 217-359-3631 or e-mail doug@champaignfaith.org He will be happy to answer any questions you may have or put you in contact with The Columbarium Committee, if needed.
