ICC Columbarium

We have begun selling niches in the Second Columbarium Unit at Immaculate Conception. Please contact Charles Moore at the ICC Parishoffice for more information. These are some frequently asked questions and answers concerning the Columbarium and cremation.

What is a Columbarium?

A Columbarium is a group of niches, typically within a wall of brick, stone, granite, marble or other materials, that contains the cremated remains (cremains) of the departed.

Can Catholics be cremated?

Yes. In May 1963, the Vatican's Holy Office (now the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith) lifted the prohibition forbidding Catholics to choose cremation. This permission was incorporated into the revised Code of Canon Law of 1983 (Canon # 1176), as well as into the Order of Christian Funerals. It then became standard practice to celebrate the funeral liturgies with the body and then take the body to the crematorium. Most recently the bishops of the United States and Holy See have authorized the celebration of a Catholic funeral liturgy with the cremains when the body is cremated before the funeral. The Church encourages placement of the cremains in a final resting place.

Why have a Columbarium?

The church has traditionally been the natural repository and final resting place of deceased members of the Christian community. Burial within the church itself or in the adjacent churchyard was once common practice. The amount of land necessary for a burial ground is no longer available to most churches and a myriad of laws and regulations make it extremely difficult to establish a burial site. In recent years, cremation with inurnment of the cremains, rather than burial, has become more common. In this way, the remains of the deceased can remain at the church that played such an important part in their lives. In some cases, many people today are turning to cremation as an economical, dignified way to address the rising cost of funerals. As more and more people turn to cremation, the cost of traditional funerals will continue to rise. By creating a columbarium at Immaculate Conception, we are addressing the needs of those who choose cremation and would still prefer to be located on the grounds of the parish.

What are the benefits to our congregation?

A niche in a columbarium is modestly priced, aesthetically pleasing, and ecologically sound. The ambiance of the columbarium creates a comfortable meeting place for families and friends to gather in love and remembrance, a consoling link between life and death.

How will the niches be marked?

Each niche will provide the person's legal name and years of birth and death. These will be inscribed in a uniform size on the face of the granite faceplate covering the niche, at the time of inurnment. The church office will order the inscription prior to the inurnment.

How will the niches be offered? Who can be inurned here?

The niches will be offered to members of the Catholic Church, with preference to registered members of Immaculate Conception Church. When niches are available, information will be disseminated via church bulletin, ICC website and other forms of electronic media. Only human remains may be inurned at the columbarium.
 

How are arrangements for cremation and inurnment made?

Arrangements for cremation are made through a Funeral Home. Prior to going to the Funeral Home a visit to the Church should be made to discuss the pending funeral, obtain an urn and confirm the inscription to go on the faceplate of the niche. The Funeral Home will return the urn with the cremains to you for the final services. Once you know when the cremains will be provided to you the inurnment can be arranged. The parish office will assist in arranging the church services and inurnment.

Will there be a funeral/committal service?

Yes, traditional services may continue as usual in the Church, and may include the committal service at the Columbarium. The burial service will be as prescribed by the Pastor of Immaculate Conception, in consultation with the family, and in accordance with the regulations of the Diocese of Fort Worth.

May a particular niche be chosen?

Yes, niches will be offered on a "first come, first served" basis. The cost will not vary according to location. However, niche units will be installed as needed so the number of niches available at any one time may be limited.

Who is paying for the Columbarium?

The Immaculate Conception columbarium will be funded solely by the sale of the niches. No money is being drawn from Church funds.

What happens once all of the niches are sold out?

The columbarium garden is being designed in such a way that it can be expanded in phases. Each phase will consist of a Columbarium Unit with 80 niches. As each Unit nears capacity, planning will begin to add the next unit. The current dedicated area will accommodate four Units.

Will there be a niche or two set aside for unexpected inurnments?    

The plan for the installation of niche sections is such that there will always be a limited number of unsold niches available.

What about care and permanency?

A trust for the care and maintenance of the Columbaria has been established.

Who will administer the activity of the Columbarium?

A Columbarium Committee is formed. This Committee will report directly to the Pastor.

How do I reserve a niche?

Contact Chuck Moore at Immaculate Conception Church at 940-565-1770 x 215.  We will be maintaining a first-come, first-served “waiting list” until the exact niche numbers and locations are known. Each person/family will then be contacted according to that list to select the particular niche of their choice, before signing the “Right of Interment in a Columbarium” contract and paying the required fees.

Do I need to ask permission to be cremated?

No, but it is a good idea to discuss your reasons with your pastor, deacon or other parish minister. Don't forget to address your wish to be cremated with your family. Put your directive in the form of a legal document such as will, living trust or pre-needs planning document.

May I scatter the ashes?

No. "The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or friend of the deceased are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires." (Order of Christian Funerals, Appendix II)

Who decides if I am cremated?

In most cases you make the decision to be cremated. However, your survivors may decide to have you cremated, generally due to special family circumstances, but rarely against your will.

How do I make my wishes known?

If you desire that your body be cremated you can make those wishes knows in your will and in documents designed to help plan and prepare your funeral.

Do I have to honor my parents or spouse's wish to cremate them?    

Out of respect for loved ones, you will want to do all you can to carry out the wishes of the deceased concerning funeral services provided they are in keeping with Church practice. Yet, you must always keep in mind the therapeutic value to the family of celebrating the full funeral liturgy with the body present. This may significantly outweigh your reasons for cremation before the funeral liturgy.

What funeral rites are celebrated when a person is cremated?

All the usual rites that are celebrated with a body present may also be celebrated in the presence of cremated remains. The United States' bishops have written new prayers and have printed them as an appendix to the Order of Christian Funerals. During the liturgies, the cremated remains are treated with the same dignity and respect as the body.

What length of time is there between death, cremation and the funeral Mass?

The answer to this question depends on various factors, just as in the case of funerals with the body. The place of death, the location of the crematory, scheduling a time for cremation, the schedule at the parish church, and other circumstances impact the timing. Once all arrangements have been made, you should generally allow at least one day between death and the celebration of the funeral liturgy.

What happens at the Funeral Mass with cremated remains?

Significant attention should be given to the primary symbols of the Catholic funeral liturgy, as stated in the Order of Christian Funerals and its commentaries. The paschal candle and sprinkling with holy water are primary symbols of baptism and should be used during the funeral Mass. However, the pall is not used. Photos and other mementos may be used at the vigil, but are not appropriate for the Mass. During the Mass, the cremains should be treated with the same dignity and respect as the body. They are to be sealed in a "worthy vessel." They may be carried in procession and/or placed on a table where the coffin normally would be with the Easter candle nearby.
The body is always laid to rest with solemnity and dignity. So too, the Order of Christian Funerals provides for the interment of cremated remains (Order of Christian Funerals, #428).

Canon Law on Cremation

Can. 117 S 1 - Christ's faithful who have died are to be given a Church funeral according to the norms of  law.
S2 - Church funerals are to be celebrated according to the norms of the liturgical books. In these funeral rites the Church prays for the spiritual support of the dead, it honors their bodies, and at the same time it brings to the living the comfort of hope.
S3 - The Church earnestly recommends that the pious customs of burial be retained; but it does not forbid cremation, unless it is chosen for reasons that are contrary to Christian teaching.
A common practice is the entombment of the cremated remains in a "columbarium". It is an arrangement of niches, either in a mausoleum, a room or wall into which an urn or other worthy vessel is placed for permanent memorial.