The Chapel of Light

COLUMBARIUM, BURIAL AND SCATTERING OPTIONS

Cremation, in itself, is not final disposition - what is done before or after the cremation is up to family and friends, or in accordance with the wishes of the decedent. A "Declaration of Intent" form can be completed in advance, informing those responsible for arrangements at the time of death of your wishes for cremation and memorialization. So that we may offer families or individuals choices for the permanent placement and memorialization of cremated remains, Forest Hills offers the following:

• Burial plots
• Fern Hill, an outdoor cremation garden
• Indoor niches in the Columbarium Chapels

Cremation burial plots on cemetery ground: existing plots will accommodate from two (2) to eight (8) cremation burials, but custom sites can also be created. Some of these plots may be adorned with a bronze or granite flat marker, and others will accommodate a standing headstone.

Our outdoor cremation garden, Fern Hill, a new concept here at Forest Hills, features aboveground cabinets of niches. Cremated remains are placed into an urn, which is then placed into a niche. The Indian Red Granite niche front is inscribed with the deceased’s name, year of birth, and year of death, and serves as one type of memorialization. Each niche will hold two sets of cremated remains, and inscriptions may be added to the niche front as needed. Urns placed in Fern Hill niches are subject to some dimension restrictions, and you’ll find a wide variety of appropriately sized urns at our Crematory offices. We can engrave directly onto some urns; in other cases small bronze plaques are engraved and affixed to your urn, whether it remains here or is taken home. A section of Fern Hill has been designated a "scattering ground," and its memorialization options are discussed in a later section.

Indoor placement of cremated remains is available in our Columbarium niche chapels, where urns are placed, in perpetuity, into bronze-framed, glass-fronted niches. A new niche chapel, the Chapel of Light, opened in January, 2002. Beautifully constructed of marble and bronze niches with beveled glass fronts, this new Chapel will provide a greatly needed selection of single and companion niches. We also provide a simpler communal room where urns are stored in perpetuity, and a holding room for temporary urn storage while a family contemplates final disposition. The Columbarium at Forest Hills provides an elegant, serene indoor setting, and each room and chapel is beautifully appointed with benches, note cards and soft music for the visitor’s comfort.

Fresh-cut flowers or potted plants can be placed at your niche daily, weekly, or monthly, on holidays (Poinsettias at Christmas, Easter Lilies) or on any other special anniversary or occasion throughout the year. You may purchase floral decorations through our "Annual Care" program (you pay each year) or under our "Perpetual Care" (lifetime) plan. Under a Perpetual Care agreement, you make an initial deposit of 30%, and take 18 months, interest-free, to pay the balance. A monthly statement shows your declining balance due.

When personal visits are not possible, because of inclement weather, or for reasons of health or location, we can provide for the placement of fresh flowers or potted plants at your niche.