Memorial Garden
CONCEPT
The Memorial Garden is a place especially for those who love this
church and have a sense of closeness to it which they would like to
preserve even after death. It is hallowed ground, sacred to the
memory of those who have departed from our midst. The Garden
will be maintained in quiet dignified beauty and will be a place of
peace and serenity.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Memorial Garden is to provide a spiritually
appropriate place on the church property for the inhumation of
ashes from cremation. Ashes are either scattered on the surface or
placed directly into the soil without container so that they may
become a part of the life of a living Garden. Those who planned the
Garden felt that this process was both theologically and ecologically
responsible.
St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church
7922 State Road 52,
Hudson, Florida 34667
(727) 863-5646
[email protected]
www.stmarksfl.org
CREMATION
Cremation simply hastens what the processes of nature in burial
otherwise effect. It is consistent with Christian belief in the
resurrection and eternal life. The Apostle Paul asserts that “flesh
and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God,” and that in the
“resurrection we are given a spiritual body” appropriate to that new
dimension of life. The Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.) states that interment and cremation are both “Christian
methods of disposition of the body.” It is accomplished in the
Tampa Bay area at any of the crematories which can be identified
in the telephone directory. Please contact your Funeral Director or
Cremation Society for further information.
ARRANGEMENTS
Arrangements, when possible, should be made in advance of need
so that decisions can be made calmly and devoid of any sense of
emergency. The Memorial Garden does not suggest that the church
prefers one means of burial over another. There is great emotional,
spiritual and psychological value in the time tested traditions
surrounding the way we have buried our dead. Cremation can be
used as an alternative to cemetery burial. The Memorial Garden
simply increases our choices by providing a place of interment on
the church grounds.
POLICIES
The Memorial Garden is available for use by all people, regardless
of church membership. Those wishing to use the Memorial Garden
must sign a written application indicating a knowledge and
acceptance of these policies.
Each applicant using the Garden agrees and understands that
ashes will be inhumed in the presence of a Pastor, or an Elder, by
scattering on the surface or by burying directly into the soil, without
container, and will not be recoverable or preserved intact. No
applicant or other person may acquire any right to the physical
location or appearance of the Memorial Garden. It is to be
understood that a variety of events and activities may occur within
the Memorial Garden if pursued with dignity. Individual and group
meditation will be encouraged.
The Memorial Garden shall be maintained by the Session of St.
Mark’s Presbyterian Church through its designated committees.
This will be done in keeping with the original intent of the Memorial
Garden to be a place of quiet beauty and dignity. Therefore
placement of any flowers (alive or artificial), planting or other objects
within the Memorial Garden will not be permitted. It is recommended
that Sunday morning sanctuary flowers be given in memory of loved
ones to commemorate special dates and occasions.
It is part of this agreement that only the church shall have any
property rights to the Memorial Garden.
There shall be no inhumation outside the boundaries of the Memorial
Garden and only human ashes will be permitted within the Garden.
No record will be kept, nor marker permitted, which designates the
locations of specific ashes within the Garden.
The Church will maintain accurate records of the Memorial Garden
showing all inhumations and reservations for future inhumations. A
signed letter by the Pastor or Clerk of Session will be sent to the
survivor(s) acknowledging the date of the inhumation of ashes in the
Memorial Garden.
POLICIES CONTINUED
In addition, the name and date of birth and death of each person
whose ashes are inhumed in the Memorial Garden will be engraved
on a bronze plaque and mounted on a brick monument. The shape,
size, location and character of the lettering of the plaque shall be
under the supervision of the Session.
Provisions may be made for loved ones to have their plaques
adjacent to each other. Please speak to the pastor if you wish to
make this request.
While it is not deemed probable, bearing in mind the importance of
a specific location, the Session of St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church
does reserve the right to relocate the Memorial Garden at a future
date if circumstances warrant.
The policies listed have been adopted by the Session of St. Mark’s
Presbyterian Church. They can be changed only by subsequent
action of that body.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church is privileged to serve families
during their time of need. In that spirit, all honorariums and
donations are simply used to reimburse the church for the
expenses it incurs. If finances are a concern, the pastor would be
pleased to discuss the issue with you.
At the present time a donation of $350 for each inhumation will
provide for the bronze plaque and the maintenance of the
Memorial Garden.
MEMORIALS
Memorial Gifts designated for maintenance and improvement of
the Memorial garden are welcomed and may be arranged through
the Church Office or Pastor.