Recognizing the increasing number of Catholics choosing to be cremated when they die and the need to have a resting place where families can bury the urns containing the cremains of their loved ones, the Diocese of Trenton opened its first cremation garden on the grounds of St. Mary Cemetery and Mausoleum, Hamilton, Jan. 30.

According to Mark Wilson, diocesan director of cemeteries, the new Garden of St. David is located between mausoleum buildings “B” and “C,” is able to accommodate 70 urns and “offers a peaceful and dignified setting to inter cremated remains.”

“With the increased cremation rate in the Catholic community, coupled with the desire to open economical space inter cremated remains, we thought that this was the appropriate time to create  space to accommodate those cremation families,” Wilson said. Although only one garden has been erected in Hamilton to date, Wilson said that should the need arise, there are similar sized spaces of ground located between each mausoleum building that can also be developed into cremation gardens.

Wilson was pragmatic when he said that the cremation garden offers the least expensive option for families wishing to inter cremated remains, then noted that local funeral directors have been provided with the space specifications along with the marker specification so when the families inquire in an at-need situation, the funeral directors are ready to satisfy families with this option.

 “Cremation has made burial in Catholic cemeteries an option as opposed to a requirement,” he said. “The Garden of St. David will hopefully encourage families to complete the life cycle by awaiting the Resurrection in a Catholic cemetery.”

Wilson said that pre-need families are welcome to visit the garden at 1200 Cedar Lane, Hamilton.

For more information, contact Erin Gallway, office manager of St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, at 609-394-2017 or [email protected].