If you haven’t selected one yet, you may want to contact your favorite university. Because this blog is about change…AND…I dug this up while researching another book…I’m sure you’ll want to know…
Campuses are constructing columbaria—Walls which will hold cremains.
The first one was built on the University of Virginia over 24 years ago. When alumnus Leigh Middleditch, Jr. couldn’t get into the university’s cemetery because it had run out of room, some of his friends helped finance a memorial wall with 180 niches. Sorry, there’s no more room in the wall now. All of the niches have been sold (in case you were getting your hopes up) $1800 each. Maybe you can get in on phase 2.
For universities, these final resting places can build strong bonds of committment. The main hope is that people will also remember their favorite school in their wills and estate planning.
The columbarium at Richmond circles a garden near the chapel. Students can be seen there, taking a thoughtful moment away from the noise and hurry of the campus.
Schools with Existing or Planned Columbaria include
- Centre College in Kentucky,
- Notre Dame
- The Citadel
- University of Richmond
- Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas
- University of Virginia
Like a stadium, sometimes the vaults get cheaper the higher up you go. Room at the bottom can go for around $5,000, the top $2500.
It’s just another way to show your school spirit with the “Final Homecoming.”
Happy Halloween Wherever You Rest
by Helmutt Wattrott
Before Morning Breaks 
So, ultimately, going to university is just a dead end?
LikeLike
So much for collegiate creativity…. an RIP post graduate degree!
LikeLike
I get to rest? Finally?
Anywhere where those conditions are met will be just fiine. And dandy.
LikeLike
No rest for the wicked. Bwhahaha!
LikeLike
Well, we bought plots quite a few years ago, and are now in the process of trying to sell them. We’ve decided to opt for cremation, and with as little muss and fuss as possible. We’ve already paid for everything, and when the time comes, all we have to do is make a phone call to put things into motion. Or… I could get stuffed, instead, and stay around as the resident couch potato…
LikeLike
Good luck in selling your real estate. I wonder if you can rent?
LikeLike
Some folks never accept that college is OVER. Jeez.
LikeLike
It give a new concept to staying after school doesn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really dig this subject! I intend to be cremated and leave it to my family to decide what to do with what’s left. I think I’ll buy one of those pre-paid funerals. Just in time for Halloween?
LikeLike
Yes, but tread carefully. What a number of “heirs” are discovering is the pre-paid plots have a number of “fees” that couldn’t be anticipated at the time of purchase and thus require additional payment now. Check the fine print.
LikeLike
Haven’t seen it yet here, but maybe buying one of these would put an end to the constant flow of mail coming from the university dunning us for more money…?
LikeLike
Isn’t it amazing how alumni services can find you, even if you move and change your name? I had a friend who stuck Bible verses in the stamped-reply envelope. She swears it got her name off the mailing list—eventually.
LikeLike
Got my spot already! Very interesting though.
LikeLike
Nice to know it’s taken care of, yes? Now…don’t go overseas.
LikeLike