Columbarium

In 1963, the Catholic Church removed the prohibition on cremation to allow deceased Catholics to be cremated if they so choose. The Church teaches that the cremated remains should be buried or entombed and should receive the "Rite of Committal" as an act of the Corporal Works of Mercy. The Church does not consider scattering the remains, keeping them at home, or dividing them among various family members to be reverent disposition. We have prepared this information regarding The Columbarium at St. Dominic’s to provide information that may be helpful as you consider your support of the Columbarium, whether or not you personally would consider cremation.

1. What is a columbarium?

A columbarium is a building, a room or a wall with niches for urns or boxes containing the cremated remains of the dead. Columbaria are also sometimes located in gardens or other outdoor locations. The word is derived from the Latin word columba which means the dwelling place of a dove. This name may have been chosen because of the resemblance of the burial niches to dovecotes, or because the dove also is a symbol of the Holy Spirit whose presence is associated with the resting place of the faithful departed.

2. What is a niche?

A niche is a space in a columbarium to be used for the inurnment of cremated human remains.

3. What is inurnment? Interment?

Inurnment describes the placement of a person’s cremated remains in a niche in a columbarium, mausoleum, or in sacred ground and after a funeral service.

Interment refers to the placement of a person’s body in a casket in the ground or in a mausoleum.

4. Why do some people choose cremation?

There are many reasons why people choose cremation. Since 1963, the number of Catholics choosing cremation has grown and now more than half of San Francisco Catholics choose cremation. Some reasons include deeply held person preferences, the cost of traditional burials, the potential difficulty of making visits to distant cemeteries, environmental concerns about the use of land and resources and the lack of cemeteries in San Francisco, and the desire to keep the remains of loved ones nearby in a Catholic Columbarium. The Church teaches that cremated remains are to be treated with the same respect as the full body of the departed. Inurnment in a columbarium meets this requirement.

5. How will St. Dominic’s pay for this columbarium?

The Columbarium is self-sufficient, meaning no community-wide drives were used to collect money to build or maintain The Columbarium. Funds to build and maintain The Columbarium have come from the pre-sales and sales of niches, memorial plaques, benches, and/or donations specifically for The Columbarium.

6. Who can reserve a niche at The Columbarium at St. Dominic’s?

Parishioners who have been registered for at least 1 year, and associate parishioners who have been registered for at least 5 years, and have been involved through consistent volunteering, service, and participation at St Dominic’s may reserve a niche in The Columbarium.

7. Why should I choose a niche at The Columbarium at St. Dominic’s?

Burial within the church itself or in the adjacent churchyard was once a common practice. Historically, Christians from the earliest time have buried their dead in the consecrated areas in close proximity to their place of worship where they could be remembered and their remains safeguarded. The Columbarium at St. Dominic's is the first Catholic columbarium in San Francisco and provides “ A Sacred Place of Rest, Near in Prayer and Near to the Lord’s Table”. St. Dominic’s Church is our spiritual home where our deceased loved ones will be prayed and cared for by the community and our family and friends in faith and hope of the Resurrection for generations to come. A Mass is said daily for “Those Resting Here”

8. What do the niches look like?

The niches are dignified and respectful of the architecture of the beautiful gothic architecture of St. Dominic’s Church. The niches are sealed with an engraved faceplate with the name of the deceased person(s), the date of birth and date of death.

9. Where are the niches, memorial benches and memorial plaques located within the Church?

Niches are reverently located in 3 areas within the church, the original installation is located behind the Grand Main Altar of the Church, within the Friar’s Chapel, and along the ambulatory walkway that encircles the main altar, The Ascension Room and The Community Pedestal of Mary are located in the narthex vestibule of the Church. The niches will accommodate one or two individuals.

10. May I specify a desired niche location?

Yes. Single and double niches are selected and assigned on a first-come basis at the time of reservation, with fully executed documentation, and with the 1st minimum payment. Niches are only permanently reserved upon complete payment of the niche subscription. Pedestal niche space is determined at the time of committal.

11. How do I determine the size and shape of urn?

The Columbarium provides information sheets explaining the actual size of the niche and the type and size of urn that is suited for the niches. Niches vary in size and location and can accommodate either one or two urns.

12. Is there room in the niche for memorabilia?

Depending on the urn(s) selected there may be limited space for small memorabilia inside the niche. No memorabilia is allowed in the Community Pedestal niches.

13. What are the niche prices?

Niche prices in the Ascension Room range from $4,200 to $8,200 depending on size, location, and number of persons in each niche. The maximum number of persons per niche is, 1 person for single niches and up to 2 persons for double niches. Niches in the original Columbarium location in The Ambulatory and Friars Chapel are sold out.

14. What if I can’t afford the lowest price?

The Columbarium offers a lower cost or no-cost community pedestal niche option for those parishioners who cannot otherwise afford an individual niche and meet specific criteria. They must be a registered parishioner and be or have been involved in the parish through consistent volunteering, service, or participation at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church and meet specific financial criteria.

15. Is the cost of the niche, memorial bench or memorial plaque tax deductible?

St. Dominic’s recommends that you consult with your tax advisor and offers no legal or tax advice; however, a portion of what you pay within each calendar year may be considered a charitable contribution. You will receive a Fair Market Estimate tax letter in January for the portion you paid within the previous calendar year.

16. Are payment plans available?

Yes. For niches only, there are payment options: Payment in full at the time of reservation or three, six and twelve consecutive monthly payments. For the Community Pedestal the plans are: payment in full at time of reservation, 3 equal monthly payments, or 10 equal monthly payments, There is no interest charged on any of these payment options. We accept cash or check and credit cards. 

17. How is The Columbarium administered?

An Advisory Board administers the Columbarium. Governing Documents, By-Laws, and Articles of Agreement exists to govern the Board. The Board includes a committee of laypersons and the clergy. The pastor is a member of the advisory board, as well as a pastor emeritus.

18. What funeral rites are celebrated when a person is cremated and inurned?

All the usual celebrated Funeral rites may also be celebrated in the presence of cremated remains. During the liturgies, the cremated remains are treated with the same dignity and respect as the full body. After the Funeral Mass or rites the remains are placed in The Columbarium for inurnment.

19. Where will the Funeral Mass and Memorial Services be celebrated?

Funeral Mass and Memorial Services will continue to be celebrated in Our Lady Chapel or the Nave of the Church, depending on number of participants. The Friars Chapel remains available as a private, peaceful, place for prayer for all.

20. May family and friends attend the inurnment?

Yes. They are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

21. What are St. Dominic’s plans regarding The Columbarium in the case of a catastrophe, such as a major earthquake that destroys the Church?

The Church had to be demolished after the 1906 earthquake. Of course, it was rebuilt. If the Church building suffers a major catastrophe, we believe restoring or rebuilding the Church would be the preferred course of action. That would include The Columbarium. In this event the remains would be inurned in the restored Columbarium.

We can only guess what the situation might be in the future. If St. Dominic’s Church and The Columbarium will not be restored or rebuilt after a catastrophic event, our intention is to try to contact the relatives of the inurned person(s) to determine their wishes with respect to the remains. If we receive no other directions, or if the relatives prefer, we anticipate placing the remains in another sacred location.

22. Where will the revenue go that is generated by the columbarium?

Niche reservation revenue will pay for The Columbarium’s construction, maintenance, operating expenses, and a reserve. Any revenue in excess of these needs will be placed in an endowment for the preservation of The Columbarium, the two buildings of St. Dominic’s Church & the Dominican Priory.

23. How can I get more information?

Email questions to [email protected] or Contact Us.

A Special Note to Families Now Honoring Cremated Remains in Their Homes

We encourage you to consider inurnment at The Columbarium or another Catholic Sacred Place. Please provide your loved ones a permanent home in a sacred place of rest and prayer in faith and hope of the Resurrection for generations to come.