POLICIES FOR
TRICKETT MEMORIAL GARDEN
NOEL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

THIS IS A DRAFT

  • The memorial garden will provide an appropriate place for cremains to be scattered.
  • The garden will provide a place for quiet meditation and prayer.
  • The garden will provide a place where a simple committal may be held before or after a memorial service in the sanctuary or chapel.
  • The garden will be open for prayer or meditation during regular church hours.
  • A place for scattering the ashes will be provided, turning them into the soil.  No particular spot will be designated or reserved for any individual.

Persons Eligible: 

  • Members and former members of Noel, their spouses, children, parents, stepchildren, stepparents,
  • Ordained members who have served the church, their spouses, children, parents, stepchildren, stepparents.
  • And, with the approval of the Admistrative Council, friends of the church, their spouses, children, parents, stepchildren, stepparents.

Markers:  There will be plaques upon which name plates with the names of persons with cremains in the garden will be placed.  The maximum inscription will include the first, middle, and last name, the date of birth, and the date of death.

In addition to persons whose cremains are scattered in the garden, name plates can be placed in the garden for other persons who are buried elsewhere, provided they meet the above named eligibility requirements.  An asterisk will be placed on a plaque denoting that the ashes were placed in the garden.

Arrangements:  Application shall be made through the church office or the minister.  Acceptance of the policies of the garden are indicated by signing the application.  A donation of $500.00 is requested, but not required for placing of ashes.  Only those with a full payment of $500.00 will be provided with a plaque.  The fees will be reviewed annually by the Administrative Council.  The proposed fee will be $500.00 for the memorial plaques whether or not the individual’s cremains will be placed in the garden.

The fee covers:

     1. Scattering of the ashes
     2. Name plate
     3. Recording in a memorial book
     4. Maintenance and perpetual care of the garden.

(Does not cover the usual costs or honorariums for a funeral/memorial service)

Each applicant understands that ashes will be scattered in a designated place in the garden, directly into the soil, in the presence of a minister, and will not be recoverable or preserved intact.  There will be no provision for burial of urns or other containers for cremains, and there will be no places designed for ashes of individuals separate from the area designated for all cremains.  Only human cremains are allowed.

Noel Memorial United Methodist Church assumes a moral obligation for the perpetual upkeep of the garden, but no legal obligation is implied.

Agreement Form For Trickett Memorial Garden