Columbarium construction well underway
Students often joke that they never want to leave college. Construction of a columbarium, underway on campus might provide the opportunity for former students, faculty and staff to fulfill those wishes.
The columbarium, being built on the hillside below the Library, offers a memorial wall with niches in which to inter the ashes of those who have opted for cremation. Use of the columbarium will generally be reserved for alumni, full-time degree-seeking students, faculty and staff, trustees, and retirees.
“The Muskingum campus is a place that many alumni call ‘home,’” explained Carson Walburn, vice president for institutional advancement at Muskingum. “The Muskingum University Columbarium provides a final resting place for those alumni.”
The word “columbarium” comes from the Latin word, “columbary,” the dwelling place of a dove, which Christians believe is the symbol of the Holy Spirit.
The structure is being built of sandstone, granite, and brick and features a wall, about five feet high, composed of individual niches that can accommodate up to two urns. Each niche will be engraved with the individuals’ names. The area around the columbarium will offer space for reflection and meditation.
In addition to Muskingum, a handful of universities and colleges have followed the practice of churches in offering columbaria. The University of Richmond, University of Virginia, The Citadel, Notre Dame University, Hendrix College, Centre College, and Chapman University have built columbaria.
A niche at Muskingum can be purchased at any time. The current purchase price of a full niche is $4,000 and a partial niche is $2,000. Muskingum University owns the property and assumes the responsibility of perpetual care for the columbarium. For more information, contact Muskingum’s Office of Institutional Advancement at 740-826-8130.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.