MEMORIAL GARDENS
&
CHAPEL IN THE WOODS

Throughout the centuries, Christian churches in Europe and America have provided a final resting place for church members on church grounds.  Severna Park United Methodist Church offers this option for the interment of cremated remains.

In 1982, the ashes of our Associate Pastor, Rev. William Bush, were interred on our church grounds.  When inquiries increased toward the end of the 1980's, a Memorial Garden Committee was appointed to develop an appropriate plan for a "garden" on our grounds.

In 1990, during the construction of an outdoor Chapel as a Boy Scout Eagle Scout service project, the wooded area adjoining the Chapel was selected as a desirable location for a Memorial Garden.  Again, our Boy Scouts undertook the initial development as another Eagle Scout project and the garden was dedicated on June 2, 1991.  Subsequent Eagle Scout projects and individual donations have provided many additional enhancements.

As you stroll through the garden, you will see a bronze plague listing the names of individuals whose ashes are interred there.  The care of this natural, low maintenance, woodland setting comes under the auspices of the Memorial Garden Committee.  The committee meets several times a year or when needed to discuss plantings, maintenance, and improvements.  Members are asked to spend time in the garden during the spring and fall cleanups.  Our Scouts also assist with cleanup. 

ELIGIBILITY AND ARRANGEMENTS

Any member of Severna Park United Methodist Church may be interred in the Garden.  Relatives of members may be interred with permission of the Pastors.  The Pastor will consider all others on a case-by-case basis.  Contact one of the pastors to make arrangements for internment.

GARDEN PHILOSOPHY

The family should understand that the Memorial Garden is a garden, not of individuals, but of the whole family of God.  As such, there is no "gravesite" for ashes or any identifiable marker, ornament or planting at the location of the ashes.

MEMORIAL MARKER

A bronze nameplate identifying the name of the deceased, year of birth and year of death will be affixed to the Memorial Plaque on the stone prominently located in the center of the Garden

For further information call the Church Office 410-987-4700.