Memorial Garden
Policies and Procedures
Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Blacksburg, VA

1. PURPOSE AND USE OF THE GARDEN: The Memorial Garden shall be maintained as a long-term repository for cremains in columbarium niches. In addition, there are places for memorial bricks (henceforth pavers), and for the scattering of cremains. The Memorial Garden is intended to be a peaceful area for meditation and remembrance, so therefore use of the Garden is limited to religious and approved social occasions. The use and care of the Memorial Garden and related files are subject to the control of the UUC Memorial Committee. Rules and regulations are established by the UUC Memorial Committee, with Board approval.

2. ELIGIBILITY AND OWNERSHIP: The cremains of any past or present UUC member or friend, as defined by the bylaws of the UUC; the spouse or partner of a member or friend; parents or children and others who, in the opinion of the UUC Memorial Committee, have a sufficient connection to the Congregation, are eligible for placement. Reservation of a niche or a paver and payment of the established fee entitles one person, the Subscriber, to the privilege of use but not the right of ownership. The Subscriber, the executor of the will, spouse or close family member may make the request to inter or scatter cremains. An interested member or friend may contact the UUC Memorial Committee if he or she wishes to request modified financial arrangements.

Niches must be assigned and pavers approved by the UUC Memorial Committee, functioning under the authority of the UUC Executive Board. Engraved pavers will be placed in the area designated by the UUC Memorial Committee. All Memorial Garden columbarium niches and memorial bricks remain the property of the UUC.

3. SUBSCRIBER RESPONSIBILITIES: The Subscriber’s Checklist for Cremains Interment or Scattering delineates the steps to be taken by a Subscriber. Note that the following must be received before cremains may be placed in the Memorial Garden: a copy of the Death Certificate, which is presented to the Liaison Officer of the Memorial Committee (filed permanently in the Memorial Garden records) and a Memorial Garden Right to Inter or Scatter Cremains Proof of Purchase. Subject to the rules and regulations existing at the time of any designation or change, the Subscriber shall retain the right and authority (1) to designate or change the designation of the eligible person or persons whose cremains shall be placed in the niche or ground space, subject to the consent of the UUC Memorial Committee, and (2) to designate or change the designation of the person who, upon the Subscriber's death or incapacity, shall have such right and authority. The designated replacement will henceforth be referred to as the Subscriber.

4. RESERVATION OF NICHES: Niches for the interment of cremains of eligible persons may be reserved upon payment (donation) of the fee in effect at the time of reservation. In the event of a group reservation, individual contracts for each person's reservation are required. Upon the death of a person who is to be memorialized, rights under the contract become part of his or her estate.

A reservation may be canceled in writing, addressed to the UUC Memorial Committee, in which event a refund of 1/2 of the amount paid will be made to the Subscriber or to his or her estate. Thereafter, the niche or space will be made available as unassigned space. The Subscriber must notify the UUC Administrator of a current address. In the event that the UUC is unable to contact the Subscriber at the address given, by action of the UUC Memorial Committee the reservation may be cancelled without refund.

At the option of the Subscriber, the niche reservation may be transferred to another vacant niche. The original >Proof of Purchase will be exchanged for one with the new niche number.

5. SCATTERING: If preferred, the cremains can be scattered at a location determined by the UUC Memorial Committee. A 4x8 inch paver is included in the cost of scattering cremains. An 8x8 inch paver is available at additional cost.

6. CERTIFICATE: Each Subscriber shall receive a copy of a Memorial Garden Certificate at the time of interring or scattering cremains.

7. INSCRIPTIONS ON NICHE NAMEPLATES AND ON PAVERS: Lettering on niche nameplates and pavers will be uniform in style, but may be reduced in point size for longer names. The Niche/Paver Order Form includes instructions about the number of lines and characters per line for each.

8. MEMORIAL REGISTRY: A Subscriber is entitled to prepare a registry biographical page for the individual whose cremains are to be interred or scattered. This page will be included in the Memorial Registry. The Registry is kept in the Administrator's office and may be displayed for events or services at the discretion of the UUC Memorial Committee. The Registry is available for Subscribers to view as an aid to preparing the biographical information.

Each memorial in the Registry allows up to two single-sided pages of written or printed material. Materials for inclusion in the Registry may not measure more than 8.5X11" and may consist of a biography, an obituary, poetry or other writings, and photograph(s). Entries will appear chronologically by date of interment or scattering.

9. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DISCLAIMER: The UUC will endeavor to protect and conserve >the cremains, their receptacles, and the pavers, both before and after they are placed in the Memorial Garden, but it shall have no responsibility for failure to do so. The Subscriber understands that the surrounding congregational grounds are used for many purposes.

Specifically, the UUC reserves the right to move all or part of the Memorial Garden to a different site, if necessary. The Subscriber agrees and understands that cremains, whether interred or scattered, are not recoverable.

10. FEES AND CHARGES: Fees may be modified at the discretion of the UUC Memorial Committee. See the Memorial Garden Fees page for the current fees.

11. MEMORIAL FUND: All funds received for reservation of niches, scattering rights, pavers and costs of establishment of the Memorial Garden or its maintenance shall be deposited in the Memorial Garden Fund, which shall be administered by the UUC Treasurer subject to UUC Board direction.

12. UUC MEMORIAL COMMITTEE: Subject to the authority of the UUC Board and these policies, all matters in connection with the construction, maintenance, regulation and use of the Memorial Garden shall be the responsibility of the UUC Memorial Committee. The UUC Memorial Committee shall consist of no fewer than five members or friends of the UUC appointed by the Board. The Board shall fill vacancies as they occur.

The UUC Memorial Committee shall maintain appropriate records of the Subscribers, niches and persons whose cremains are interred; assist persons recording biographical data in the Memorial Registry and interring or scattering cremains; provide price list updates; approve eligibility and appropriateness of Memorial Garden items; oversee maintenance; and shall attend to other matters as needed. The UUC Memorial Committee shall meet at least semi-annually and submit annual reports to the Board.

Approved July 8, 2010. Updated August 30, 2011 and June 1, 2016.