Above ground burial becomes a reality

at St. Anastasia, Hutchinson

by LuAnn Drazkowski

Cemetery Committee Chair

St. Anastasia Catholic Community in Hutchinson celebrated the blessing of their newly constructed above ground burial structures on September 6, 2003, with Bishop John C. Nienstedt officiating. This event marked the sweet rewards of a two-year journey for the Cemetery Committee and their commitment to improving the parish cemetery.

The idea of above-ground burial surfaced during discussions concerning limited cemetery space. The subject was foreign to the committee and required extensive research. The above ground structures are referred to as mausoleums and columbariums. A mausoleum is commonly known as the permanent structure that holds full body entombments in openings called "crypts." The columbarium has a similar purpose to the mausoleum, but holds cremated remains in 11-inch cube openings called "niches." The crypts and niches are constructed of durable pre-cast concrete openings arranged like a fitted honeycomb, and faced with a granite-clad exterior, including the roof. Mausoleums and columbariums can be joined or free-standing structures.

The committee soon recognized the potential advantages to St. Anastasia and its parishioners if mausoleum and columbarium interments were available. Some of the advantages are: providing alternative interment choices; offering comparable costs to in-ground burial; conserving the limited cemetery land space by providing more burials per square foot; reducing the problems associated to winter and early spring in-ground burials; eliminating the dependency of a grave-digger (outside contracted services); having lower maintenance and upkeep costs; providing a prestigious appearance to the cemetery.

Several informational meetings were conducted for parishioners to learn about above ground burial and provide feedback on their questions and concerns. There was enough interest and support to follow through with Phase 1 to build a mausoleum and columbarium structure.

A promotional campaign was conducted to continue educating parishioners and to generate pre-sales to assist in covering Phase 1 costs. Construction began in May 2003 with the ground prep, followed by footings and foundation concrete work. By mid-August, the structures were in place and the finishing work was underway. Already, two above ground interments have taken place, and several niches and crypts have been sold.

Cemetery Committee Members are: LuAnn Drazkowski-Chair; Marty Briggs-Vice Chair; Renee Bryan-Secretary; Harvey Kemper-Cemetery Manager; Art Krzmarzick-Groundskeeper; Margery McClure; Bruce Bjerkelund; Larry Gunderson; Lori Thul-Parish Business Administrator; and Fr. Bill Sprigler-Pastor.