The decision of where to make your final resting place has just become a little easier at Ridgelawn Memorial Cemetery in Oxford.
That’s because a columbarium was installed Aug. 26 on the cemetery’s east side. The eight-ton, hexagonal granite structure contains 72 niches designed to hold the cremated remains (in urns) of people.
Further plans for the columbarium include landscaping around it and installing benches so that people can sit while paying their respects. The columbarium cost the cemetery, located at 99 W. Burdick St., more $20,000 to purchase and install. According to Ridgelawn owner Shirley Acheson, the cemetery plans to charge customers $2,300 to $2,700 for each niche.
Plans to install the columbarium have been in the works for about six years. Acheson said that there’s been an increased demand for above ground storage of cremated remains.
Acheson, who took over the cemetery in 1977 and co-owns it with her husband Marvin, said the columbarium is dedicated to the memory of their daughter Kathleen, who passed away in 2001. ‘This is a beautiful location, as it overlooks town,? she said.
Acheson said in the two weeks they’ve advertised the niches, they’ve already sold two units. They plan on continuing to advertise the other available spaces.
As far as cremation itself, the cemetery owner said that there’s been more of a demand; many people don’t want a full burial and want to be cremated, which generally is less expensive than a full burial, she said.
She added: ‘People had been holding off buying anything because they wanted to be buried here at this cemetery but wanted to go above ground.?
The columbarium took about three hours to unload and was delivered by Fenton Memorials and Vaults, which also built it. Matthew Butts, FMV’s operations manager, said the demand for cremations and niches has risen sharply in the past decade, in part, because many are tired of what they consider high funeral costs.
Cremation niches give people a more cost-effective alternative while still allowing them to memorialize their loved ones.
‘People forget the reason for a cemetery,? Butts said. ‘Life lived is a life worth celebrating. That’s why they need to have these niche units, to memorialize.?