Columbarium
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Memorial Garden & Columbarium
Our Memorial Prayer Garden and Columbarium offers a sacred place for prayer, reflection, and remembrance.
Located beneath the south wall of the church narthex, the garden is visible through the narthex windows. It continues the tradition of burial on church grounds, keeping loved ones close to their family and faith community.
For those who choose cremation, the columbarium provides a permanent resting place for cremated remains.
Questions About the Columbarium?
Contact Hannah Martinez at [email protected] or 512.814.2178.
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Steps to Purchasing a Columbarium Niche
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The purchaser must be a registered parishioner, and the niche is $8,000.
Who is eligible for inurnment in the Garden?
Those persons who are registered active parishioners of SJN, their spouse, their children and spouses of children, parents, grandparents, siblings, Catholic clergy and religious, or other persons that the Pastor approves in writing. Newly registered parishioners are eligible to purchase a niche 12 months after registration.
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Click here to set up an appointment with Hannah Martinez or contact her at [email protected] or 512.814.2178.
In this appointment, we will check the availability in the columbarium, select a niche, and begin paperwork.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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A columbarium is a sacred place with individual niches for urns containing cremated remains. The word comes from the Latin term for a dovecote or dove nest.
The St. John Neumann Memorial Prayer Garden and Columbarium extends along the church from its eastern edge to the stone wall on the western side. You can see the area through the narthex windows. Some niches will become part of the church’s exterior wall below these windows.
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The Catholic Church has permitted cremation since 1963. Catholics may choose burial of the body or inurnment of cremated remains.
Eligible people include registered, active SJN parishioners and their spouses, children, children’s spouses, parents, grandparents, and siblings. Catholic clergy, members of religious communities, and others approved in writing by the pastor also qualify.
New parishioners become eligible to purchase a niche 12 months after registering. A Catholic and a non-Catholic spouse may share the same niche.
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Each unit measures about four and a half feet square and contains 64 niches arranged in eight rows of eight. Each alcove holds three units, for a total of 192 niches. The complete columbarium wall provides space for up to 1,152 niches.
Each niche has a 6-inch-square granite facing stone secured by an accent frame. The stone displays the names and dates of birth and death of those inurned.
The Garden includes concrete paving, limestone seating, plantings, a gathering area, lighting, security, and an entry gate. Future plans include water features and sculpture.
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One niche costs $8,000 and holds up to two urns. The price includes two bronze urns, urn engraving, the granite facing stone, inscription of names and dates, and perpetual maintenance.
Cremation and inurnment often cost less than traditional burial because they avoid expenses such as a burial plot, casket, grave opening and closing, and hearse service. Costs vary by provider and service choices.
SJN’s Finance Committee has calculated the fair market value of the Right of Inurnment at $4,000. The portion of the purchase price above that amount may qualify as a charitable contribution. Please consult your tax adviser about your individual circumstances.
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You may select from available niches on a first-come, first-served basis after completing a paid-in-full Right of Inurnment contract. Purchasing in advance gives you time to decide without the pressure of an immediate need.
Your purchase provides the right to use the niche under the contract. Legal title remains with SJN and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Austin.
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SJN provides the bronze urns used for inurnment. Each niche holds up to two SJN-provided urns.
Inscriptions on the granite facing stone are limited to names and dates. All stones use the same font to maintain a consistent appearance throughout the Garden.
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The Rite of Committal takes place at the time of inurnment (which means placing cremated remains, held in an urn, inside a niche)
. This rite is similar to a graveside service and follows Roman Catholic forms of worship.
With SJN approval, flowers or memorial items may remain in the Garden on the day of an inurnment. SJN will remove or dispose of them after 24 hours. Family and friends may also contact SJN about providing altar flowers in memory of a loved one.
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The Garden is open Monday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset. SJN may approve access at other times.
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The purchase price includes perpetual maintenance. No additional maintenance fees apply.
SJN will repurchase an unused niche for the original purchase price, less 10 percent. SJN will not repurchase an engraved niche.
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SJN will maintain a master record of each purchased niche and its location. The parish will also keep information related to every inurnment in its offices.
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Contact Us
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Hannah MartinezHMartinezSJNAustin.orgLiturgy Coordinator
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