Final Arrangements

JUNE 2015 • PAGE 2 By Wendy King For the Free Press M any decisions have to made when the time comes to plan a funeral. The most basic decision will often come down to choosing between a traditional burial or a cremation. Cremation has become more popular, but even that decision will lead to other choices. Jody Kiefling Nicholson, manager of Glen Eden Funeral Home, says families have an assortment of memorialization options when they choose cremation. "Columbarium niches, special cremation rocks, birdbaths, sundials, benches and memorial trees provide loves ones a peaceful place to visit and remember for many years to come," she says. One alternative that may not be familiar but is growing in popularity, is the columbarium, a structure made up of individual niches. "A niche is a recessed compartment for the permanent housing of urns," says Keifling Nicholson. "Niches come in a variety of different sizes, styles and locations and a professional cemetery director can show you the differences, provide you with costs and even payment options." Miguel Foidart, branch manager at Glen Eden Cemetery, says the columbarium may be part of an outdoor setting or it could be a complete building with alcoves and corridors. "These above-ground structures provide an area for the cremated remains and urns to remain dry and undisturbed by the elements," he says. "Niches are designed to accommodate individual or companion urns and may be enclosed by glass, marble or granite fronts." Roland Gagne, acting manager at Cathédrale St. Boniface Cathedral says one of the features of a columbarium is that it eliminates the need to bury in the ground and buy a monument because the engraving is on the door itself. The columbarium at Cathédrale St. Boniface Cathedral is outdoors on a property which is also a historical site located near the Red River. As for choosing a niche, Gagne says he will usually have the family come and see what is available before they make a decision. "This way the have a sense of the orientation of the niche," he says. "For example at our cemetery, do they want it on the cathedral side or would they prefer to be on the river side, or would they prefer to be on the historical museum side?" Once families have secured a niche, interment can take place. Although it may differ from place to place, most cemeteries will need about 48 hours notice. Gagne says at that time, families can have a ceremony on site to pay personal tribute. "For example, last week, a ceremony was held for an individual," he says. "There was a violinist present for the service and after the interment, there was some helium- filled balloons that were released to finalize the program." The Catholic Church frowned on cremation at one time, but now it is an accepted and important option to meet the needs of family members. "There are some cultures that will still go with traditional burial, but regardless, for those that may need it later on, a columbarium is one way to provide future descendants access to a place of meditation," he says. Cremation gardens at the City of Winnipeg's three municipal cemeteries — St. Vital Cemetery, Transcona Cemetery and Brookside Cemetery — offer many interment and memorialization options, as well. Cremated remains may be buried in stone, marble or granite urns, or in biodegradable urns — which decompose over the course of several months. Alternatively, they can be placed in niches or scattering beds — gardens that provide a gentle, natural way of returning the body to the earth. Wide, wheelchair accessible paths in city cemeteries are lined with natural grasses, shrubs, trees and flowers, providing a beautiful, peaceful setting for visitors. Whether you choose traditional burial or cremation with interment at a municipal or private cemetery, preplanning can ensure your wishes are met. "Completing your final arrangements today makes sense financially and emotionally," says Kiefling Nicholson. "By acting now, you can discuss the options openly with family in a relaxed environment with clarity of mind." Places of RemembRance cRemation gaRdens and niches

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