Columbarium
Allowing members to choose the sanctity of their church as an enduring place of rest, holding true to our Christian heritage
What is a Columbarium?
In early Rome, "Columbarium" simply meant, a nesting place for doves. When Christians, relegated to Rome's catacombs, began using cliff-side niches to seal away ashes of the faithful who died, the term "Columbarium" took on its present meaning: sacred compartments for storage of cremated remains.
Why Select a Columbarium?
Spiritual Site for Final Resting Place
In a return to church tradition, it provides members the opportunity to choose the shadow of the church, which has been central to their lives, as their final resting place. It's a place of beauty and dignity where friends and family can visit and meditate.
Simplicity of Arrangements
It eliminates the pressures of choosing a burial site, casket, vault and monument. It provides a place for internment immediately adjacent to the church.
Substantial Financial Savings
The combined cost of a Columbarium niche and cremation is usually substantially less than the cost of a casket, burial site and marker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the columbarium located?
The columbarium is behind and on the east side of the church building, overlooking the lake. It is accessible from the parking lot by sidewalks going along the east side of the church building.
How many niches does the columbarium have?
The columbarium has a capacity of 570 niches. Each niche has the capacity to hold two urns.
Who oversees the columbarium?
The columbarium is a ministry of Bartlesville First United Methodist Church and functions under the authority of the Church Council. The business office of the church oversees its operation under the guidance of the Church Council.
Who may use the Columbarium?
The Columbarium available to all. It is not limited to present or past Church members, but to anyone wishing to be inurned in the Columbarium.
What is the fee?
The current fees associated in inurnment at the columbarium are: $2,700 for the niche which can accommodate up to 2 urns, $80 for an urn (the urn must be purchased through the church to insure fit), and $275 for engraving costs. While the cost of the niche may be prepaid, please note that the urn and engraving prices are subject to change based on vendor pricing. Those charges will be assessed at the time of inurnment.
What is included in the fee?
The niche fee includes opening and closing the niche for inurnment, two niche faceplates, and perpetual care. Each niche will accommodate two urns. The fee does not cover the cost of cremation. The cost does not include the urns nor the cost for the engraving of the faceplate. There is no discount for a single urn.
How do I purchase a niche and pay the fees?
The process begins by contacting the business office of Bartlesville First United Methodist Church. The church accepts checks, cash, Bank Draft, Visa, Mastercard and Discover. (Bank Draft is significantly less expensive for the Church to process than credit cards.) Church staff can help you select a niche location and get any other information we will need.
May I select the niche location?
Currently, the church is allowing purchasers to select a niche location. However, at some point in time, niche assignments may be managed by the church business office/Board of Trustees.
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. Pricing is the same whether or not you inurn anyone.
What happens if I purchase a niche and decide not to use it?
The niche cannot be sold to or used by anyone other than those listed in the original Application Form however, after approval from the Board of Trustees, Bartlesville First United Methodist Church will repurchase your unused niche for 100 percent of the purchase price. 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?
If you would like more information on the columbarium, please contact the church office.