Purpose

The purpose of the Garden of Remembrance of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton (UUCP) is to provide a place for the scattering of ashes of members or friends of the UUCP. In addition to a place for memory and reflection, the Garden provides a place for conducting services and rites of passage.

Who May Use the Garden?

While is it expected that members of the UUCP and their immediate family are those most likely to use the garden, its use is not limited to them. Immediate family members of a member or friend (spouses, children, committed partners or parents) may also be memorialized in the Garden. In case of questions regarding appropriateness of use, the Memorial Garden committee together with the Ministers will make the final determination. Ashes need not be scattered in the Garden in order for one to be memorialized.

Acknowledgment

Bronze plaques are placed on the mounting erected adjacent to the Ken and Jean Wells Wall and are easily accessible for viewing. Plaques are of uniform size, approximately seven inches wide and one inch high. The plaques are placed first in order of year of death and then alphabetically within each year.

Plantings

Plantings for the Garden of Remembrance are the responsibility of the Memorial Garden Committee and no planting is permitted without the prior written approval of the committee. The garden is intended to be a low-maintenance area that will be developed according to a plan. Plantings are chosen from a master plant list maintained by the Committee.

Fees

The Garden of Remembrance is a work in progress which will never end. Since it will incur ongoing expenses, a Memorial Garden Fund exists to defray maintenance costs. The expense of erecting a plaque is the responsibility of family or friends. A single contribution of $200 will cover the cost of the engraving and installation of the plaque and maintenance of the garden. In cases of financial hardship, this fee can be reduced or waived by the ministers together with the Memorial Garden Committee.

Advance Arrangements

A member or friend may make advance arrangements for him/ herself by making a contribution. A written acknowledgment will be issued and a record of the contribution will be kept.

Ceremonial Use of the Garden

Use of the garden must be scheduled in advance through the congregation office. Those using the garden are expected to leave it in its original condition. Canopies, tents, or other temporary structures may not be erected in the garden and benches may not be moved.

Financial Donations

Financial donations to the Memorial Garden Fund are welcome at any time. Checks should be made out to UUCP indicating on the notation line “Memorial Garden.

Garden of Remembrance