Memorial Garden

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures”

Trinity’s Memorial Garden is a place of peaceful reflection and joyful remembrance, where ashes are interred directly into the earth to become one with creation again. Visible to all as they enter or leave the church, the Memorial Garden is also a place where people gather before a Sunday service, a wedding, a baptism or a funeral.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Memorial Garden located?

The Memorial Garden faces Trinity’s west entrance. As you leave the church from the narthex, the garden is directly in front of you.  There is a central area of stone, ringed by pachysandra in which unmarked cremains are interred.  There are quiet seating areas there, as well as to the north and south.

What is the purpose of the Memorial Garden?

The garden is a place of peaceful beauty and reflection, where parishioners and members of their families have elected to have their ashes interred in as natural a way and with as little personal fanfare as possible.

How are the locations of the ashes marked?

No spaces are individually reserved and no name-markers exist in the garden, however the names of those interred are inscribed on plaques in the Unity Chapel inside the church.

What is the interment procedure?

When someone dies, the family will make plans for interment with the priest, and records and outstanding fees will be paid to the Parish Administrator. The usual cost is $600. This one-time expense covers everything --the sexton’s preparation of the garden, interment, preparation and installation of a plaque in Unity Chapel and ongoing maintenance needs of the Memorial Garden.  Occasionally some people elect to contribute more, while others – at the priest’s discretion – may donate less.  Some parishioners have registered in advance. (Link to Reservation  form and flyer)

Is there a remembrance ceremony?

Yes. At one Sunday service in early to mid-May, the parish honors those interred in the garden.  Individual families are invited, names are printed in the Sunday bulletin, and the Rector adjusts the service for this   occasion.  At the conclusion of the service, the congregation follows the clergy and choir outside, where the Rector says some appropriate prayers and a brief homily, and the names of those interred are read aloud.

Who oversees and maintains the garden?

The Memorial Garden committee maintains the garden, which they designed originally, makes improvements, orders the nameplates, oversees plans for the annual Remembrance Day, and assists the Rector and Parish Administrator with accurate and timely record-keeping.

Contact:  Beverly Leach at 609-924-8702, beverlyleach@hotmail.com