Columbarium: A group of niches which contain the cremated remains of the departed. Interment within the church provides a link visible to us in this life between deceased Christians and their church body, enabling family and friends to pay their respects and refresh their remembrances frequently as a part of regular worship.

ABOUT BURIAL

The Church speaks and ministers to people at all significant turning points in their lives. Appropriately the faith and ministry of the Church wish to be helpful at the time of death, whether of a parent, spouse, child or friend, or even one's own death.

The New Testament teaches that the body is the means through which God's Spirit and life touches our life, and that the body is the vehicle through which the personality and soul of each of us is communicated to the world. Therefore the Church has always laid the bodies of its dead to rest with reverence, dignity and care in places especially set apart for this purpose.

ABOUT CREMATION

Cremation has become increasingly practiced as a means of burial. The Episcopal Church has long approved cremation, and as we look at the opening sentences of the Burial Office, we see, "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though this body be destroyed, yet shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger."

In response to this need, churches have established special facilities for the care and safekeeping of cremated remains. A special place in churches can be set aside for this purpose - a columbarium. The name is derived from the Latin for "dovecote" from columba - "dove", the symbol of God's Spirit and of peace.

Church members who have learned God's love through the fellowship and services of the church may want to be buried from the church when the day comes, and can expect no more fitting way for their bodies to be laid to rest than to have their ashes placed in the Columbarium of St. Cyprian's Church, surrounded by the continual praise and worship of the Eternal God in whose keeping are the living and the dead.

It is with this understanding that the Columbarium of St. Cyprian's Church is being developed. Niches in the Columbarium may now be reserved.


LOCATION

The Columbarium is located in the interior walls of the south transept of St. Cyprian's Church, as shown above.

Spaces for ashes, appropriately. marked at time of interment, will commemorate the dead. You may obtain additional information by calling the parish office. Telephone (936) 639-1253 or write 919 South John Redditt Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75904.

Prices at this time are $400 for an individual space and $800 for a double.

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