Epiphany has a wonderful columbarium located outside the double glass doors by the parish hall. But what is it and what is its purpose?

According to the New York State Funeral Directors Association, Inc. humans have treated death and burial with great respect since 35,000 B.C., the era of the Cro-Magnon man. We have all heard of the Egyptian practices of embalming and preserving a body for burial, but it was not until the Greeks in 1000 B.C. that cremation was introduced. The Greeks first practiced this as a means of making the remains of those killed on the battlefield easier to return to families. The Romans were the first to place ashes in columbariums.

Columbarium comes from the Italian word, Columba which means "dove." Early Christians would keep doves in Columbariums or nesting places consisting of square niches. Throughout time the dove has come to be known as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. What a beautiful symbol for the resting place of our loved ones.

All well and good, but what does our theology say about cremation? Imagine the church as a center of one's life. Many of us are baptized, worship, are married, and have our funerals within the body of the church. Is it not so inconceivable to have a columbarium on the grounds for inurnment of a loved one's ashes? One never leaves the sanctity of the grounds and remains forever a part of the services and congregation.

Research into the development of our columbarium at Epiphany began in the early 1990s. It was a service project of the Daughters of the King headed up by our President at the time, Susan Faure. The original design placed was the cross. A few years later the wall was installed.

Many of Epiphany's saints have chosen the columbarium for their final resting place and many more are reserved by current members for future inurnment. It is the Daughters of the King that maintain the columbarium area. Recent additions have been the silk flowers along our trellis and the Easter Lilies currently in place at the base. This spring will bring the addition of planters for live flowers.

Anyone interested in more information about the columbarium or funeral planning please contact the church at 774-2911.