Vision for the Future

The Columbarium Park

Some years ago, Fran Schuck suggested that the Hope Cemetery would soon need a columbaria park - multiple structures housing cremated remains in small niches (a single installation of niches is a "columbarium") - to ensure coming generations a beautiful and tasteful place for departed loved ones. From his suggestion has grown an exciting vision for the future of the cemetery, eventually including several columbaria and memorial walls on the terrace below the present cemetery.

Each columbarium niche is sealed with a one square-foot granite facing, engraved with the name and the dates of birth and death. The entire unit is finished with beautiful local rock. On each side of the columbarium are Memorial Walls, to which families can attach memorial plaques for loved ones not buried or inurned in Hope Cemetery. These are also one square-foot granite plaques matching those sealing the niches. Additionally, a free-standing Memorial Wall has been built and others may follow, which will allow for more creative memorial plaques to be mounted.

The columbaria park has room for a number of columbarium units (each unit housing 48 niches) and memorial walls, ensuring that future generations will have room for memorializing and housing the remains of their loved ones.

The Friends of Hope Cemetery envision hosting gatherings of various kinds, in keeping with the dignity and beauty of Hope Cemetery, allowing people in the region to enjoy the serenity and beauty of the cemetery and to appreciate the contribution of the many artists, writers, musicians, and talented residents of our area.

Many people from the region have worked hard and given generously to this project. The Friends are grateful for the contributions of so many residents of our various communities, both of time and money. The City of East Hope and The Friends of Hope Cemetery in collaboration have accomplished a great deal, and we look forward to continued progress.