"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." -Psalm 23:1

The Resurrection Garden at Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi is a columbarium collection of niches designed to house urns containing cremated human remains (cremains).  Inscribed with the person’s name and dates of birth and death, columbaria are constructed to serve as permanent structures in churchyards or within churches themselves.

The Resurrection Garden at Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi is consecrated ground. The site provides a reverential place of inurnment of cremated remains in a garden setting for visitation, remembrance, and prayer for the deceased. The entrance to the Resurrection Garden is by the church Bell Tower.

The Resurrection Garden is self-funded, using income derived from the sale of niches for construction and maintenance.

May Catholics be cremated?
Yes. In May 1963, the Vatican lifted the prohibition forbidding Catholics to choose cremation.  This permission was incorporated into the revised Code of Canon Law of 1983 (Canon#1176), as well as into the Order of Christian Funerals.  It then became possible to celebrate the funeral liturgies with the body and then take the body to a crematorium.

BROCHURE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Benefits of a Columbarium

Spiritual Site for Final Resting – Our Resurrection Garden is a sacred place of beauty and dignity where loved ones can visit and meditate at any time.

Simplicity of Planning – The purchase of a columbarium niche eliminates the need for choosing a burial site, casket, vault, and monument. In addition, the Funeral Mass or service and inurnment may take place at the same location and time.

Financial Savings – With the the purchase of a niche, significant costs may be limited to cremation, the niche, and the funeral home expenses.

Who Administers the Resurrection Garden?

The Resurrection Garden Columbaria are a ministry of Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi Parish.  The Resurrection Garden Committee advises the Pastor, who oversees the operation of the Resurrection Garden.

What is the COST of a niche?

Pricing varies depending on the wall chosen.   

• A niche in the Chapel or San Damiano Wall is $4,750
• A niche in one of the Stations of the Cross is $5,500
• Introductory price for niches in the Mary of the Angels new wall will be $4750  through July 31, 2026. Starting August 1, 2026 the price will be $5250
  
  Full payment may be made at time of purchase, or a 23-month payment option is available.

What does the purchase of a niche include?

The purchase will include a single or double occupancy niche, an urn for each individual to be inurned, opening and closing, engraving of the faceplate with up to two names, and perpetual care.

Whose remains may be inurned in the Resurrection Garden?

The columbarium is for the use of members of the Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi parish and their families, as well as present and former registered members of any Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.  Only married couples may be placed together in the same niche.  Additional niche walls will be installed as needed, so the number of niches available at any one time may be limited.

Only human remains may be inurned in the columbarium.

How will the niches be marked?

Each niche will provide the person's legal name and dates of birth and death.  Inscriptions will be of a uniform size on the faceplate of the niche. Military emblems for veterans may be included on the faceplate if desired.

No engraving will be done until payments are complete.

May I select the niche I want?

Yes, applicants may select from any of the available niches and the selected niche will be reserved upon the completion of the application.  Rights to the niche chosen become permanent upon completion of payments

What happens if I purchase a niche and decide later, for any reason, not to use it?

Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi Parish can assist you in transferring ownership rights to another Catholic registered in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.  The niche may not be re-sold or used by anyone other than those listed in the original agreement.

What if I have already made other arrangements?

Should you prefer inurnment at the Resurrection Garden instead, you should contact the facility with which you made arrangements to learn how those arrangements can be terminated.

MEMORIAL WALL

The Memorial Wall is located in the Resurrection Garden, just outside the angel stained glass windows. Ribbons, 6x1 inch plaques, may be purchased to remember deceased persons, especially those who may be buried elsewhere.

Whose name may be included on the Memorial Wall?

The name of any deceased loved one may be included.

What is the COST of a ribbon (6x1 inch plaque)?

Each ribbon is $250.  It is engraved with the individual's name and dates of birth & death.

Sample Ribbon

How many names can be inscribed on each ribbon?

Only one name can be engraved on each ribbon.

May I select any spot I choose on the wall?

Ribbons will be installed in vertical columns in the order that orders are received. Married couples whose ribbons are ordered at the same time will be placed one below the other. For a married couple, another ribbon space can be purchased below the deceased’ ribbon for future use.

The top row of the Memorial Wall is reserved for the names of deceased priests and deacons of Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi Parish.

How do I order a ribbon for the Memorial Wall?

Print and complete the order form and return it to Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi Parish along with payment. The order form can also be completed online, but ribbons will not be ordered until payment has been received.

MEMORIAL WALL ORDER FORM

niche availability

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

SAN DAMIANO WALLS 

CHAPEL WALLS

ST. MARY OF THE ANGELS WALLS

Introductory price for niches in the Mary of the Angels new wall will be $4750  through July 31, 2026. Starting August 1, 2026 the price will be $5250

FOR MORE INFORMATION