MEMORIAL GARDEN

PURPOSE OF THE MEMORIAL GARDEN

The Memorial Garden is a final resting place for cremated ashes of members of the church and their loved ones.  The options for interments are in the Columbarium, where each niche holds up to two cremains, or in an in-ground plot, where each plot holds up to three cremains. An option for the scattering of ashes is currently on hold until the garden is re-established.  The Memorial Garden is not a graveyard, but rather a quiet space for meditation and prayer in lovely natural surroundings.

HISTORY

The Memorial Garden was created in 1972 in the southwest corner of the 19 Church Street, property owned by First Presbyterian of Pittsford. The initial gifts for the creation of the Memorial Garden were dedicated in memory of Susan Fitzsimmons.  On November 25, 1973, the garden, as directed by Session, was dedicated in her name.

The vision of Susan’s parents, Janet and Donald Fitzsimmons, was to develop a beautiful and peaceful place of memory and meditation.  Benches, plantings and only names and suitable inscriptions on memorial plaques (no emblems, dates of birth and death) all add to the aesthetically pleasing surroundings.  Furthermore, no wreaths, flags, planted flowers, or anything of an ornamental nature may be placed in the garden.  At the Fitzsimmons’ request for a garden sanctuary: “Leave nothing but your loving memories and meditations”.

In 1989, the garden was renovated under the direction of landscape architect, Ann Gallagher. The central design of the garden was a Celtic cross, a reminder of our eternal life in Jesus Christ and our Scottish heritage. Plots, plantings, benches, an ornamental tree for the garden’s center, and an entrance arbor were added.

In 1999, church member Ray Feasey completed the beautiful hand-crafted memorial boards that are displayed in the church library. Each person whose ashes have been interred or scattered in the garden as well as birth and death dates is commemorated there.

In 2009, John H. McGee and Sons Monuments installed a granite cross in the center of the garden to replace the tree that had died due to the toxicity in the soil from the black walnut trees. The Greek inscription etched on the cross center means “Jesus”.

In November 2019, a new arbor was installed at the garden’s entrance in loving memory of Virginia Dunn.

Over the years, memorial gifts to the garden continued to be used for new plantings and mulch, two angel statues, and seasonal maintenance work.

RENOVATION

In 2025, Session and Trustees approved a major renovation of the Memorial Garden space to restore the sanctuary garden to the original intent with privacy and natural beauty.  Other objectives were to improve the accessibility of the garden by widening walkways, to reduce caretaking tasks by looking at more maintenance-free features, and to increase the number of interment sites as our congregation has shown renewed interest in the Memorial Garden as a final resting place for loved ones.  The arborvitae perimeter, the remaining black walnut trees and old fencing have been removed.  A wooden fence has been erected around the entire garden.  The paver stone walkway has been replaced with an aggregate concrete walkway, widening the walk for easier accessibility.  Two granite columbaria are planned to increase the number of interment sites. Finally new landscaping has recreated the feel of a true garden sanctuary with plantings that are deer and black walnut resistant and easier to maintain.

The work is headed by a group of dedicated volunteer FPC members. A rededication ceremony of the garden is planned for Spring 2026.

INTERMENT IN THE MEMORIAL GARDEN

 WHO MAY BE INTERRED?

Cremated remains of church members on the active or inactive roll are welcomed for interment, including spouses and children of those members.  The Pastors will notify the Board of Trustees, through its Memorial Garden Committee, if other family members’ interments are requested.  The Committee is responsible for all policies and decisions regarding the use of the Garden.

 PROCEDURE FOR INTERMENT OF ASHES

1.       When a church member or their family member wishes to arrange an interment, one of the pastors of the church or the church office should be notified.  An interment site layout of the Memorial Garden is kept in the office for use in maintaining a record of registrations and availability.  The church office will help the member or family in choosing an appropriate site as well as assisting in other arrangements as needed.  Memorial Garden interment sites may be registered/reserved at any time through the church office.

2.       Registrant(s) will fill out a registration form to secure an interment niche in the columbarium or a plot in-ground.  This form will also include information to be used for the memorial plaque located in the church library.  The original signed form will be kept at the church office.  A copy will be given to the registrant or their family member.  Payment for the interment spot will be required at registration and will be payable to First Presbyterian Church of Pittsford with “Memorial Garden” noted in the memo line.  Additional costs for memorial services, funeral expenses, and the creation of plaques (inground) or inscriptions (columbarium) are the responsibility of the family.

3.       The family is responsible to contact a funeral home to arrange the cremation and committal.  The family may wish to discuss with the pastor whether they prefer to have the Words of Committal in the sanctuary following the memorial service or at the interment site in the garden.  If the family wishes to have the Words of Committal in the garden, the monument company will prepare the site.

4.       Columbarium Interment:

a.       It is the family’s responsibility to contact John H McGee and Son Monuments, 508 State St, Rochester, NY 14608, and arrange the details of the interment in the columbarium. 

b.      Each niche will hold up to two cremains, with each urn or container size not to exceed 10” x 10” x 6”.  If it is a single urn, the size can be up to 10” x 10” x 10”.

c.       The front plate of the niche will be etched with the name of the person(s) and a suitable scripture verse or other appropriate attribute of the decedent(s).  Birth and death dates as well as emblems are not permitted.  To maintain uniformity of the etchings, a template showing the font, size and number of characters is available in the church office (note: Font is Belac and character size is 1” for names and 0.75” for verse or other text.)

5.       In-Ground Interment:

a.       It is the family’s responsibility to contact John H McGee and Son Monuments, 508 State St, Rochester, NY 14608, and arrange for creation of the bronze plaque.

b.      The church office will contact John H McGee and Son Monuments to arrange for the inground site preparation, based on the family’s requested timing.

c.       Each interment plot will hold up to three cremains with each urn or container size not to exceed 9” x 9” x 9”.

d.      Sites will be marked with a flat bronze plaque, with the name of the person(s) and a suitable scripture verse or other appropriate attribute of the decedent(s).  Birth and death dates as well as emblems are not permitted.  Note that each plot has been marked in a 2’ x 2’ area.  Older plaques in the garden vary in size, but in order to make the garden more uniform, it is required that the plaques be 16” x 8” in size on an 18” x 12” concrete foundation.

6.       Scattering of Ashes – CURRENTLY ON HOLD.

 FEES FOR INTERMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE GARDEN

A one-time fee for each interment location will be charged at registration.  Monies will be used to purchase the nameplate(s) for the Memorial Board located in the church library. The remainder of the fee will be allocated to the Faith Forward fund for the perpetual care of the interment sites and upkeep of the garden.

Current fees for interments (2025) – payable to FPC upon registration for site

In-ground plot = $1000/plot (was $500 per interment)

Columbarium = $1750/niche (will increase to $2000/niche in 2026)

Scattering of Ashes = (this option is currently on hold until the garden landscaping is re-established).  If this option is renewed, the pricing will be determined.

Church members, family and friends may also make contributions or memorial gifts to the Faith Forward Fund in the name of the Memorial Garden.  These contributions and gifts will be used at the discretion of the Trustees through the Memorial Garden Committee to enhance the beauty of the garden and ensure its perpetuity. 

WHAT IS A COLUMBARIUM

A columbarium is a wall-like structure that houses crypts for cremains and, as such, serves as the final resting place for those who are interred there. Our plan is for, eventually, two columbaria - each of which will have 48 niches, holding up to 2 cremains, each.

TO LEARN MORE

Click HERE to obtain more information.