Please contact the church office. The first 96 niches will accommodate the remains of one or two people. A portion of the cost will be a tax-deductible donation to the church. The cost does not include cremation, which will be arranged by each family with the funeral home of their choice. The niches are faced with commemorative granite panels, which can be engraved with family names as well as birth and death dates.
A portion of the sales revenues will be used for ongoing perpetual care and enhancement of the garden.
If you desire more information, please E-mail karen@saintjosephchas.com or call the church office.
I wish to purchase a niche. How do I go about doing it?
Fill in your information below and a representative of the Columbarium Committee will contact you.
Questions?
Columbarium
What is a columbarium?
The word “columbarium” comes from the Latin word “columbary” which is a structure for the nesting of doves – the dove being the symbol of God’s spirit and peace. The term relates to a tradition used for centuries, both here and abroad, where a burial vault is provided for the containment of urns holding cremated human remains.
Is cremation biblically sound?
Cremation is essentially a hastening of the natural process that occurs following death and is widely recognized as a theologically valid process for the deceased. In May 1963, the Vatican’s Holy Office permitted Catholics to choose cremation. Locally, other Catholic parishes, such as Holy Spirit (Johns Island), St. Mary’s (Greenville), St. Benedict’s (Mt. Pleasant) and Mepkin Abbey have all added a Columbarium in the past few years. This ancient practice has particular relevance for us today since land surrounding churches is less readily available.
Who can be inurned here?
Any registered or former member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and of other Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Charleston, or their immediate family members (including non-Catholic) can be inurned here.
What are the benefits?
- Families who choose cremation rather than conventional burial will find this a wonderful option.
- Beautiful and Peaceful – There will be a gathering space for services, surrounded by landscaped shrubbery, trees and flowers. Benches will be provided for prayer and quiet time.
- Prayer Garden – In addition to the Columbarium, there will also be an associated prayer garden with the Stations of the Cross. This special area will be treated with reverence and respect.
- Convenience – The location will allow the funeral/inurnment services to be held in the Columbarium area after the Mass of the Resurrection in the Church.
- Cost – Cremation and inurnment are commonly less costly than a traditional burial.