Fripp Island Community Centre and All Faiths Chapel

The Columbarium of the Community Centre and All Faiths Chapel of Fripp Island is a memorial garden created as a resting place for the ashes of deceased residents, property owners and their families.

The word "Columbarium" comes from ancient Latin and signifies either a subterranean sepulchre with niches in its walls for cinerary urns or one of the niches. Recently, the meaning has been extended to cover niches in memorial gardens.

Since Fripp Island residents are increasingly using cremation as an appropriate means of caring for the remains of their loved ones, the question of disposition of the ashes following the memorial service has arisen. In response to this need and to perpetuate the memory of our loved ones, an area has been set aside adjacent to the Community Centre/Chapel in a beautiful natural setting. The first phase, when filled, will care for the remains of 96 persons. When expanded to its planned capacity, the Columbarium will accommodate 512 urns.

These facilities are not intended to compete with commercial burial places, but are for the convenience of the Fripp Island residents and their families. The design of the Columbarium will reflect the dignity, beauty and tranquility that are felt most appropriate for our loved ones who will be memorialized here.

Reservations: The Columbarium is available to residents and property owners of Fripp Island and their families.

Payment: Reservations will be accepted for the price of $600.00 per niche.

Columbarium niches may be reserved in advance of actual use by making donations, as specified above, and the execution of certain documents maintained by the Community Centre/Chapel. If after reserving a niche, circumstances are such that it is no longer desired, the Community Centre/Chapel will make a refund and will have the right to reassign the niche.

Inscriptions: The plaque covering niches will carry only the following information Name, year of birth, year of death. As soon as possible after interment of ashes within the niche, the Community Centre/Chapel will arrange for a standard bronze name plaque to be added to the covering of the niche. Each plaque may contain only the information indicated above. Cost for the plaque (currently $85.00) will be market priced at that time and is not included in the donation made to reserve the Columbarium niche. In addition to the Columbarium niches, bronze plates have been secured to the brick posts. Residents and property owners may have a bronze name strip affixed to the plate in memory of family members interred elsewhere. Cost is $85.00.

Procedures: The use of the Columbarium will be supervised by a committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the Community Centre/Chapel. The family may arrange a memorial service. Scattering of ashes in the Columbarium or placing of containers of ashes in the ground (other than the above-mentioned niche) will not be permitted.

Placement of Ashes: Actual placement of ashes in the Columbarium takes place privately. The family may or may not be present, as they wish.

Records: The Fripp Island Community Centre/Chapel will maintain a permanent record of the use of the Columbarium.

Columbarium Committee: A Columbarium Committee established and appointed by the Community Centre/Chapel will govern operation of our Columbarium. The committee members are responsible for formulating, now and in the future, guidelines for construction, donations, maintenance, site changes and policy. Any thoughts or suggestions to make our Columbarium a more beautiful place are welcome. Current members of the committee are; Judith Moore, 838-2638; Ralph Petrea, 838-5424; Bill Haley, 838-5242; and Bruce Kline, 838-7673.

Inquiries: Anyone desiring information concerning the Columbarium should contact a member of the Fripp Island Community Centre and all Faiths Chapel Board of Directors. They will be happy to assist you.