UUC Memorial Committee
& Memorial Garden

In April 2010, the UUC Memorial Committee was given Board approval to raise $10,000 for construction of a Memorial Garden, and permission was given for the committee to make a presentation at the June 6 Annual Congregational Meeting. On May 8, 2011, a dedication ceremony was held commemorating The Memorial Garden's availability for members and friends of the UUC for use as a long-term repository and a peaceful area for meditation and remembrance. In 2015, Columbarium II and Columbarium III were installed, bringing the total number of niches to 48. As of June 2019, 20 niches have been purchased; of these, 12 are reserved (pre-planning).

In the aftermath of Hurrican Katrina (2005), the UUC reached out to three congregations in the New Orleans area. When the Virginia Tech massacre took place on April 16, 2007, these congregations joined together and sent us a monetary donation to be used in helping us heal. We used this donation to purchase the pole with a message of peace written in the eight native languages spoken by the 32 people who were killed. This link takes you to a picture of the peace pole, which is located at the entrance to the Memorial Garden.

For further details about the history of the Memorial Committee and garden, click here.

The UUC Memorial Garden

UUC Memorial Garden Documents

UUC Memorial Committee

In addition to approving the Policies & Procedures at their July 8, 2010 meeting, the UUC Board also approved fivemembers of the UUC Memorial Committee. In summer 2011, one member stepped down and two more were approved. The current members (and tasks) are Susan Baker (Grounds Caretaker), Sally Pfeiffer (Congregational Liaison), Bobbie Littlefield (Chair and Registrar), Tim Pickering (Columbarium Caretaker), Arthur Snoke (Treasurer, Web site), and Isabel Berney (maintains the Committee's Book of Treasures).

The purpose of the UUC Memorial Committee is to maintain and enhance a memorial garden space for UUC, to establish a permanent record of gifts to the Congregation, and to provide opportunities to memorialize those dear to members and friends of the Congregation.

Pre-planning

The earliest incarnation of the Memorial Committee oversaw the establishment of a file of members' wishes for their memorial services.

Because any of us could become disabled or die at any time, it is important to have necessary information prepared in advance of an unexpected medical emergency or death. This document lists information required to complete a death certificate and other items that are helpful in an emergency. We suggest you give filled-out copies to members of your family, your doctor, your lawyer — and your minister.

Everyone should have an advance medical directive. This simple form includes a “living will” naming an agent to make medical decisions and anatomical gifts (tissue and organ donations) when you are incapacitated. It only needs to be witnessed — no notary is required. Here is the Virginia Advance Medical Directive, which we suggest you fill out and distribute.

To begin a conversation about funeral arrangements, these five questions can help you and your family decide what is wanted and what needs to be done.

Funeral Consumers Alliance of the Virginia Blue Ridge (FCAVBR) is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 community organization dedicated to providing consumer information about local funeral and burial options and costs. This volunteer organization helps local individuals and families in the New River Valley and Roanoke area. We are not affiliated with the funeral or burial industries. We exist as a public service to individuals, families, and organizations interested in understanding final arrangement options and costs. We are dedicated to promoting free and open choice and fair prices for consumers. More information about what we do is available at our Web site.

July 18, 2021