FPCLG Memorial Garden

Policy and Procedure for Katie McGowan Memorial Garden

1. Interment Contribution: Only cremated human remains may be interred. Cremains will be deposited directly into the earth within the Garden space designated for interment. Once interred, remains may not be removed from the Garden. The recommended minimum contribution shall be $750.00 for each person who is a member of FPCLG or $1,500.00 for non-members whose cremains are to be interred under this agreement. The cost of nameplate is included in the contribution. Payment may be made here.

2. Participants: The Katie McGowan Memorial Garden will be used for the interment of ashes of First Presbyterian Church of La Grange members, former members, member’s immediate family and/or friends of the church. Exception to this policy must be approved by Session.

3. Designation: For those individuals who have contributed for future interment during their lifetime, the Contributor may change the designation of the person(s) whose cremains may be interred by notice in writing delivered to and accepted by the First Presbyterian Church of La Grange. The right to designate names of persons whose cremains may be interred ceases with death of the Contributor, unless prior to Contributor’s death, Contributor designates another person (in writing) to exercise the right to specify whose cremains can be interred within the limits of this agreement.

4. Assignment: Except with the prior written consent of the Session, Contributor’s rights may not be assigned, transferred or inherited, and shall not be subject to claims of creditors.

5. Religious Service: A Christian service shall be held at each interment. A minister designated by First Presbyterian Church of La Grange shall be present and will supervise the service, unless designated to another duly ordained minister as agreed by the immediate family of the deceased and the Head of Staff of FPCLG.

6. Inscriptions: After interment arrangements have been completed, a bronze nameplate with name and dates of birth and death (month and year only) will be purchased for attachment to the Katie McGowan Memorial plaque. If a husband and wife have both arranged for their interment in the Garden, and desire their nameplates to appear together on the plaque, the space immediately below or to the right of the first interred, as agreed upon, shall be reserved for the surviving spouse.

7. Ornamentation: Markings, plantings and flowers in the Garden are exclusively under the supervision of the Property Committee of the First Presbyterian Church of La Grange.

8. Care of the Garden: Funds for establishing, improving and maintaining the Garden shall come from memorial gifts and contributions designated for the Garden.

9. Termination of Right to Use and Removal of Cremains: The right of contributors to interment cease if the present church property is sold, abandoned or interments are halted for reason, and contributed money deposits shall be reimbursed. The Session shall enter into agreement with contributors for return of such contributed monies. Cremains interred in the Garden shall be removed, if necessary, and reinterred in hallowed ground provided by the Church Session.

AGREEMENT FOR INTERMENT IN KATIE MC GOWAN MEMORIAL GARDEN

The form below shall be filled out with the required information and submitted prior to interment. The interment of the cremains is subject to the rules and conditions printed in this agreement, with an understanding that they are subject to changes approved by Session. You agree that your electronic signature is the legal equivalent of your manual signature on this Agreement. By submitting this form, you consent to be legally bound by this Agreement's terms and conditions.

It is recommended that a duplicate of this form be filed with the church, your attorney, a relative and clipped to your will.