What is a columbarium?What is a niche?What is interment / inurnment?Who can be interred at The Columbarium at The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral?Why should I choose a niche at The Columbarium at The Basilica?What will the niches look like?May I request a desired niche location?How do I determine the appropriate size and shape of an urn?What funeral rites are celebrated when a person is cremated and interred?Where will the Funeral Mass and memorial services be celebrated?Whom should I contact for more information? What is a columbarium?
A columbarium is a monument with niches for urns containing the cremated remains of the deceased. 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. The dove also is a symbol of the Holy Spirit whose presence is associated with the resting place of the faithful departed.
Click here to go back to questions.What is a niche?
A niche is a space in a columbarium to be used for the interment of cremated remains. Click here to go back to questions.
Click here to go back to questions.What is interment / inurnment?
Interment and or inurnment describe the placement of a person’s remains in a niche within a columbarium.
Click here to go back to questions.Who can be interred at The Columbarium at The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral?
The Columbarium at The Basilica is intended primarily but not exclusively for the cremated remains of Roman Catholics.
Click here to go back to questions.Why should I choose a niche at The Columbarium at The Basilica?
The tradition of Christian burial is to inter the deceased in consecrated ground in close proximity to a place of worship where their remains are safeguarded. The Basilica provides the only Catholic cemetery in Manhattan offering and a resting place in a holy, historic and beautiful setting.
Click here to go back to questions.May I request a desired niche location?
Yes. Yes. Niches are selected and assigned on a first-come basis and are reserved upon payment.
Click here to go back to questions.How do I determine the appropriate size and shape of an urn?
Each niche can accommodate one or two urns. We will provide you with the exact niche size so you can choose an urn that will fit perfectly.
Click here to go back to questions.What funeral rites are celebrated when a person is cremated and interred?
The funeral Mass may be celebrated in the presence of cremated remains. During the liturgy, the cremated remains are given the same dignity and respect as the body. After the funeral rites, the remains are placed in The Columbarium for interment.
Click here to go back to questions.Where will the Funeral Mass and memorial services be celebrated?
The funeral Mass can celebrated in the Basilica, one’s parish church or anywhere the family chooses.
Click here to go back to questions.How can I get more information?
Please contact the rectory office at 212-226-8075 extension 1008 or click on
this link to request more information.
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