PHPC Columbarium:
Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why was a Columbarium built at PHPC?

A. There is an increasing awareness of the benefits of cremation, and through the Columbarium, PHPC provides its members a dignified, beautiful setting for housing the cremains, all at considerable cost savings.

Q. Who may use the Columbarium?

A. Inurnment in the PHPC Columbarium is ordinarily limited to present or past members of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church and members of their immediate families, including spouses, parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren. Requests for inurnment of others may be honored following special approval by the Columbarium Committee and the Session

Q. How many niches are in the Columbarium?

A. It has 912 niches, each with the capacity to hold two urns. As demand dictates, additional niches may be added in the future.

Q. How is the Columbarium being paid for?

A. The columbarium is being entirely self-funded through the sale of niches. To allow construction to begin in a timely manner, however, a loan was issued by the PHPC Foundation.

Q. How much does a niche cost?

A. Each niche, holding up to two urns, costs $1,500. This cost includes two urns, opening and closing the niche for inurnment, inscription for the niche plaque and perpetual care. It does not cover the cost of cremation.

Q. How much does cremation cost?

A. Prices vary widely, but there are reputable funeral homes in our area which offer cremation for approximately $1,000 or less.

Q. How do I select a crematorium?

A. Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church does not endorse specific funeral homes. However, elsewhere on this website, you will find a sample list of homes, with their prices, for your consideration. It is suggested that this decision be made in advance of need. The urn used must be furnished by PHPC.

Q. Is there a provision for member(s) unable to afford the cost of a niche?

A. Whenever he or she deems it appropriate, any minister of Preston Hollow has the authority to discreetly excuse any part of or all the payment for a niche for anyone otherwise eligible. In these cases, the niche can be selected without prejudice from any of the remaining unsold niches by the person in need.

Q. What will excess funds from sales of niches be used for?

A. It is expected that funds in excess of construction costs will be generated by sales of niches. These funds will be used for the operation of the columbarium and its landscaping and perpetual care. They will also be used for any future expansion of the columbarium. Should there be funds in excess of these needs, they will be available to the church through the PHPC Foundation.

Q. How can I arrange to purchase a niche?

A. All the information you need to learn about the Columbarium, the selection of a niche and submission of application forms are included in this website (see Application Section). Upon final acceptance of the application, a certificate covering inurnment ownership rights will be sent to the purchaser of the rights.

Q. May I select the niche that I want?

A. Niche assignments are controlled by the Columbarium Committee and are allocated in accord with the desires of each applicant on a first-come, first-served basis, determined by the date of receipt of a fully completed, paid-in-full application.

Q. If I have no family member with whom I wish to share a niche, will someone else's cremains ever be placed in my niche without my permission?

A. No. Normally, only a family member's cremains whom you select will share your niche. However, if two unrelated persons who are otherwise eligible for inurnment so choose, they may share a niche and its cost.

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

A. Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, acting through the Columbarium Committee, will repurchase your niche for the same price at which you purchased it. However, once cremains are placed in a niche, no refund will be allowed, even if the cremains are removed by the heirs. The niche cannot be sold to or used by anyone other than those listed in the original purchase.

Q. What if I have already made other burial arrangements?

A. Should you prefer inurnment at the PHPC Columbarium instead, you should contact the facility with which you made arrangements to learn how those arrangements can be terminated. Some refund should be due on services paid for, but in most cases you will need to sell burial plots or mausoleum slots through a broker or the newspaper.

Q. What if I have chosen to leave my remains with the willed body program?

A. If you leave your remains with the Willed Body Program at UT Southwestern Medical School, they will be cremated when they are no longer needed, usually after six to eighteen months. The family may recover the cremains at no cost.

Q. If I am a designated organ donor, will this delay cremation after my death?

A. No, organs for transplant must be harvested very shortly after death, so there is no appreciable delay in the availability of the body for cremation.

Q. Who administers the Columbarium?

A. The columbarium is part of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church and functions under the authority of the Session. A Columbarium Committee, appointed by the Pastor and approved annually by the Session, oversees operation of the columbarium.

Q. Where did the word Columbarium come from?

A. The word "columbarium" comes from the Latin for dove or pigeon and refers, literally, to a place where doves or pigeons live; if you will, "Pigeon holes."

Q. If I have other questions, whom can I call?

A. You are encouraged to call one of our pastors at 214 368-6348, or ask that the chair of the Columbarium Committee call you with additional information.

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