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Operating Rules and Regulations
Good Shepherd Catholic Church, hereafter referred to as the
"Church," has buildt a Columbarium to provide niches for the
inurnment of our loved ones.
Columbarium Board
The Pastor in concert with the Pastoral Council has appointed a Board, composed of five
volunteer members of the Church. They will oversee the operation of the columbarium and issue an annual report to the Pastor.
Right of Inurnment
For the purpose of control and clear understanding, a Right
of Inurnment Certificate will be executed for each columbarium
niche. One niche will accommodate one or two urns. The Right of
Inurnment Certificate does not constitute a sale of property,
but is merely the provision of a secure space. All ownership of
the land and the columbarium remains with the Church. This
instrument states the right of the parties, including
specifically a provision granting full authority to the Church
to move or relocate niches with cremains if relocation of the
columbarium becomes necessary in the opinion of the Board.
Columbarium
The columbarium is constructed of stone, stucco, and
concrete with gardens appropriate to the setting. Niche
faceplates will be of granite and engraved at the time of
inurnment. The urns, inurnment of one or two urns (whichever is
applicable), and engraving cost will be included in the cost of
the niche. Each niche will be 11.5"wide x 11.5" high and 11.5"
deep and have a capacity for two urns.
Operation and Duties of The Board
- The rules and regulations set
forth herein plus any future amendments, approved by the
Pastor and Council, shall govern the operation of the
Columbarium Board.
- The Board and the Pastor will
decide any matter not covered by the rules and regulations
set forth herein and will review and amend them as required.
All who use the columbarium agree to abide by the rules and
regulations as they now exist, or as they may be amended in
the future.
- The Custodian of the Columbarium is responsible for the daily administration and
record keeping to include the following:
◦ The name of each person to whom a Right of Inurnment is
issued
◦ The name of each inurnment of cremains in a niche
◦ The names and addresses of the next of kin of niche owners
◦ A diagram showing the owner of each individual niche in
the columbarium
◦ A list of each name engraved on a faceplate, with the
dates of birth and death, and the date of the inurnment.
- The Board shall consist of five
members of the Church. Each initially appointed board member
shall serve a 3-year term and the Board will decide on the
rotation procedure for future terms. The Chairman of the
Board shall be elected by the board members and responsible
for coordination with the Pastoral Council.
- The Board shall meet at any time
at the discretion of the Chairman, to conduct business. The
presence of three members or more shall constitute a quorum.
- The Board is responsible for the
management of all funds directly associated with the
columbarium.
- The cost of construction and
maintenance of the columbarium will be covered by the sale
of the niches. The Board will be responsible for budgeting
funds to cover the expense of the columbarium custodian,
utilities, insurance, maintenance of the facility and
appropriate landscaping.
- Funds accumulated from the sale of
the niches will be placed in the columbarium's bank account.
When this accumulation exceeds the amount needed for
operation, maintenance and care to the columbarium and
grounds, it will be set aside toward columbarium expansion.
In the event accumulated funds exceed these needs, they may
be used for capital improvements or repairs to the Church at
the discretion of the Board and the Pastor.
- The Board will provide suitable
planting and landscaping in the columbarium area. No
flowers, plants or other decoration may be placed in the
areas without prior approval of the Board. Memorial flowers
maybe placed in the Church on any designated Sunday.
- Special cases may arise in which
literal enforcement of these Rules and Regulations or fees
may impose unnecessary hardship. The Pastor and the Board,
therefore, reserve the right, without notice, to grant
exceptions to any of these Rules and Regulations or fees,
when in the judgment of the Board such action appears
advisable. Such exceptions shall in no way be construed as
affecting the general application of these Rules and
Regulations and shall not constitute a waiver of any of
them.
Rules of Inurnment
- The reservation of a niche and the payment of the fee give
the individual the right to be inurned. The Church provides only
the urns, niches, engraving and inurnment and is not responsible
for other costs for funeral expenses of whatever nature.
- Anyone who possesses a Right of Inurnment Certificate may
apply at any time for authorization of the inurnment of a single
urn containing the cremains of one of the persons listed on the
Right of Inurnment Certificate. Authorization can be granted for
inurnment of a different family member upon the approval of the
Pastor. A separate authorization shall be required for each
inurnment.
- No transfer of reservation of a columbarium niche may be made
to another person, estate or corporation. However, the Church
may repurchase a niche for just cause as determined by the
Board. The repurchase price will be the original price less any
cost of replacing an engraved niche faceplate.
- All arrangements for inurnment will be under the direction of
the Pastor of the Church. The service will be as prescribed by
the Pastor in consultation with the family and in accordance
with the doctrine of the Catholic Church. Exceptions must
receive prior approval of the Pastor. Neither the Church nor the
Pastor shall be responsible for the Right of Inurnment or for
the identity of the cremains that are to be inurned.
- The urn may be sent with the body to the crematory for
emplacement of the ashes. A funeral home will make these
arrangements and have the urn cap permanently placed once the
ashes are enclosed. The urn is then placed in the reserved niche
at the Church following the planned services.
- The purchaser assumes the obligation to have the remains
cremated and otherwise prepared in accord with the applicable
laws of the State of Alabama.
- Removal of an urn for permanent inurnment in another facility
will be permitted only upon presentation of the appropriate
legal documents and payment of a fee determined by the Board.
- Only the cremains of humans will be allowed to be inurned in
the columbarium niches. However, inert personal mementos may be
placed with each urn provided they would fit in a space that is:
4”x4”x10”.
- Persons eligible to be inurned in the columbarium include:
• Registered Parishioners and their family members
• Former parishioners and their family members (Formally
registered)
• Any others, with prior approval of the Board and the Pastor
Note: Family members need not be Catholic to be inurned.
Responsibilities of the Church
- The Church shall maintain the columbarium, and each niche, in
good condition; take reasonable precautions against defacement
or defilement of the niches and the engraving of the faceplates
through the use of a fence with gates to be locked at night and
motion activated security lights. Maintain and preserve all
records pertaining to the columbarium. Establish a maintenance
fund that is to be derived from fees received from each niche
sale.
- If sufficient funds and need exist the Board shall have the
right to physically expand the columbarium and associated
landscaping in compliance with applicable local ordinances.
- In the event that the Church or the columbarium shall be
relocated or ceases to operate or in the event of the
destruction of the columbarium resulting from an act of God, the
Church shall cause the re-inurnment of the cremains at another
facility approved by the Church. If such is not available, the
Board shall cause the cremains to be disposed of in accordance
with Catholic doctrine and in a legal manner.
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