And I heard a voice from heaven saying,'Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord.' 'Yes,' says the Spirit, 'they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.' Revelation 14
You are invited to consider The Columbarium at Wilshire Baptist Church as a place to memorialize and remember those who have died in the Lord.
The Columbarium is a place for quiet remembrance within the city of Dallas, a place for celebrating the hope of Resurrection in Jesus Christ, a place for silent prayer, a place for families, a place of peace. The Columbarium Garden, designed by professional landscape architects, features a flowing fountain, tree-shaded pathways, beautiful plants and flowers, a prayer labyrinth, a Wall of Remembrance and high-quality niches for inurnment of cremated remains.
Like the church cemeteries of our rural past, The Columbarium at Wilshire Baptist Church once again combines the remembrance of those who precede us in death with the place of faith that means so much to them and their families. The Columbarium reminds us of the great cloud of witnesses, souls extending before and beyond the current generation.
For more info: Paul Johnson, Minister of Business Administration 214-452-3157
Frequently Asked Questions
Who may participate in The Columbarium? Any deceased member or past member of Wilshire Baptist Church, and any deceased staff member or past staff member of the church is eligible for inurnment or recognition by remembrance marker in The Columbarium. Also eligible are any deceased immediate family members of those previously mentioned, as well as any other deceased persons as permitted by special approval of the Memorial and Endowments Committee.
May I reserve a place on the Wall of Remembrance for loved ones who are buried elsewhere? Yes. Inclusion on the Wall of Remembrance is intended for those who are not buried in The Columbarium.
May I reserve a place on the Wall of Remembrance for loved ones who have died long ago? Yes. There is no limitation on date of death to qualify for inclusion on the Wall of Remembrance. The only requirements are those stated above.
May I reserve a place in The Columbarium for myself or others who are still living? Yes. Both niches in the columbarium and places on the Wall of Remembrance may be reserved in advance by purchasing a subscription.
May I choose the wording to appear on the columbarium marker or Wall of Remembrance? Yes, within certain parameters. Markers are of a uniform size and style. Markers must include the name of the deceased and the year of birth and death. Inscriptions of name may consist only of the name and may not include titles, degrees or other terms of address (Using Jr., Sr. or III is permissible, but using Dr., Rev., M.D. or Ph.D. is not permissible). Markers also will include room for a brief epitaph.
Will I or others be able to visit The Columbarium at any time we choose? The Columbarium will be open during all times the church grounds are open for worship and other weekly activities. Special arrangements may be made for visiting the Columbarium at other times.
How may I be assured that The Columbarium will be cared for and preserved in perpetuity? Wilshire Baptist Church will maintain The Columbarium with direct oversight by the Building and Grounds Committee. A portion of the funds received in payment for participating in The Columbarium will be set aside in a Columbarium Endowment Fund to cover perpetual maintenance. The Columbarium will be a secured site.
What services are included in the purchase of a right of inurnment in the columbarium? The one-time fee for an individual right of inurnment includes the right to place cremated remains in The Columbarium, as well as an urn and a marker or inscription. The cost of cremation, transportation, funeral services and other off-premises costs and services are not included in the fee.
May The Columbarium be used for memorial services or graveside services? Yes. The Columbarium is conveniently located near McIver Chapel, which is a common place for funerals and memorial services. The grounds of The Columbarium also may be used for such services. Only members of the Wilshire ministerial staff and/or others they may approve may officiate at inurnment services in The Columbarium.
When will markers be placed?
Columbarium markers will be placed at the time of inurnment. Markers on the Wall of Remembrance will be added no more than twice a year, at times generally coinciding with All Saint's Day (October) and Easter (March or April). Pre-construction purchases for the Wall of Remembrance will be in place when The Columbarium opens.
If I pre-purchase space in The Columbarium and later decide not to use that space, may I receive a refund? Certificates and related rights are non-transferable. However, certificates may be surrendered prior to inurnment or marker placement on the Wall of Remembrance, and the church will refund the original purchase price, less a service fee.
If I place a loved one's ashes in The Columbarium, may I place flowers at the site? In order to maintain the overall dignity and natural beauty of this sacred space, only the church may place flowers or plants in The Columbarium without prior approval. Placement of artificial flowers, artificial plants, ornaments or other decorations is strictly prohibited. The church reserves the right to remove and dispose of any flowers, plants, ornaments or decorations without notice. Reasonable requests to place freshly cut flowers in The Columbarium for brief periods will be favorably considered.
Are there other funding opportunities within construction of The Columbarium? Yes, see the separate sheet with details of opportunities for donors to help construct The Columbarium by providing specific architectural elements.
Pricing:
Columbarium: Right of Inurnment (one-half niche)*,$1,500
Right of Inurnment (full niche), $3,000
Wall of Remembrance: Single Marker Right, $500
Columbarium and Wall of Remembrance: Surrender fee
(in the event an unused certificate is returned), $250
* Half niches are sold with the understanding that the other half of the niche will be available for sale to another party. Thus, to secure an entire niche, even though only one person's remains are to be placed there, requires purchase of a full niche. The niche markers allow space for engraving names, dates and epitaphs for two people.
For more info: Paul Johnson, Minister of Business Administration 214-452-3157
