Columbarium – Page 2

 

Removing Cremated Remains

Cremated remains may be temporarily removed by the church while making repairs or improvements to the Columbarium. Otherwise, remains may only be removed with the written consent of both Westminster and a member of the deceased’s family or when required by law.

Cancellation of a Niche Reservation by an Owner

A niche reservation owner may cancel the reservation by providing written notice of cancellation to Westminster, with no compensation due to the owner or the designated person’s estate or family.

Cancellation of a Niche Reservation when a Niche is Not Used

If the remains of the person designated on the final accepted reservation have not been inurned in the niche within either five years after the person’s death or 120 years after the person’s birth, the niche reservation will be cancelled, with no compensation due to the niche reservation owner or the designated person’s estate or family.

Cancellation of a Niche Reservation when Remains are Removed

If the remains of the person designated on the final accepted reservation are inurned in the niche and subsequently removed by a member of the deceased’s family or to comply with law, the niche reservation will be cancelled, with no compensation due to the niche reservation owner or the designated person’s estate or family.

Ownership of the Columbarium and All Niches

Westminster owns the Columbarium and all niches. Niche reservation owners acquire no property rights in the Columbarium, any of its niches, or any of Westminster’s property. The reservation confers only the right to inurn the cremated remains of the designated person in the identified niche pursuant to Westminster’s applicable policies and procedures, as amended by the church from time to time.

Care for the Columbarium and Limit of Liability

Westminster will provide reasonable ongoing care for the Columbarium. However, Westminster and all persons acting on Westminster’s behalf will not be liable for any loss or damage to the Columbarium, niches, urns, or cremated remains inurned in the Columbarium. Westminster may purchase insurance for its own benefit, but the church is not obligated to purchase insurance for the benefit of niche reservation owners, designated persons to be inurned, or their estates or families. If there is a discrepancy between a reservation form, change form, or transfer form and the church’s records, the church’s records control.

Termination of the Columbarium

Niche reservations and rights of inurnment will continue as long as the present Columbarium stands and is owned by Westminster. If the present Columbarium is to be sold or demolished and a replacement Columbarium will not be furnished, niche reservations will be cancelled, and rights of inurnment will cease. In that event, Westminster will attempt to notify each niche reservation owner that the reservation will be cancelled and will attempt to notify a family member of each person inurned in the Columbarium that the person’s remains must be removed from the niche. If the church is not able to contact a member of the person’s family using information in the church’s records or if the remains are not removed within a reasonable period of time, the church may relocate the remains as it deems proper. No compensation will be due to the niche reservation owner or the person’s estate or family.

Amendment or Waiver of Columbarium Policies and Procedures

Westminster’s Session may, at any time, amend or waive any of its Columbarium policies and procedures. Waiver of any policy or procedure does not constitute a continuing waiver of that policy or procedure with respect to any situation arising thereafter.