Creating a Meditation Garden and Installing a Columbarium Unitarian Universalist Church of Bowling Green Submitted November 2015 by the Garden Design Task Force

What we have now… Round Window Empty Niche for Columbarium Circular Pit and Concrete Walkway Dark rock border Light gravel base Some larger rocks

What could we do with what we have? Niche Walk way Gravel Dark Rock Round Window Circle

We could create paths. A paved path for easy accessibility to the niche and circle A path of stepping stones, for another way to travel

We could add a “water” element. While adding a fountain or a pond would be complicated and expensive, we can create a sense of water with - a dry “pond” of raked sand - a basin stone that catches rainwater - a rain chain Water from the Water Ceremony or other rituals could be poured into the water basin.

We could install a Columbarium. As time and money permit, we can install a columbarium in the niche, to hold people’s ashes. Each container has a stone faceplate which can be engraved with names and dates.

About the Columbarium Some containers are single; some are double. As many 90 spaces can fit in the niche. -30 single containers on top -30 double containers on bottom

We could add living plants. The dark rocks near the door to the Fellowship Hall could be replaced with dirt. Shenandoah Switch Grass could provide movement and color. Vines could provide ground cover. A small tree in a container could provide shade. The plants would provide seasonal interest and remind us of the transition between life and death. Shenandoah Switch Grass American Smoke Tree

We could add seating. Benches along the walls would invite us to come in and stay a while.

We could add a marker at the entrance. We could add a column engraved with “Meditation Garden ” topped with a solar- powered lantern.

We could add sculpture. A sculpture could be installed, perhaps a flaming chalice or a crane. In China and Japan, cranes are a symbol of long life.

We could add sound. A wind chime could create music from the air.

We could bring all the elements together EarthRock and Soil WaterRain basin FireA flaming chalice, ashes AirWind chime

And where now we have an expanse of stone, we could create a Meditation Garden.

How to do it? Phase 1 – heavy construction -install frame of columbarium -build retaining wall in corner - plant small tree

Phase 2 – lighter construction - Put in walk way and stepping stones -Plant grass -Build benches -Put more containers in the columbarium

Phase 3 – finishing touches -Rain chain, sculpture, more plants, wind chime -Add more containers to columbarium Phase 4 – sell more spaces in columbarium

What’s it cost? PhaseGardenColumbariumTotals 1$1000$4000$5000 2$6000$1000$7000 3$1000$5000$ $5000 Totals$8000$15000$23000 How do we pay for it?

Funding the Meditation Garden Donations Fundraisers People can contribute Memorial benches and other items marked with a plaque with “In Memory of...” Sell spaces in the columbarium – 90 spaces at $400 each is $36000.

How do we get started? Congregation votes to approve the plan Finance Committee – Create a Special Project line item for the Meditation Garden – Establish a fund to hold money for prepaid spaces in the crematorium Board of Directors – Establish a Crematorium Committee to sell spaces and look after the Crematorium money and contracts – Establish a Meditation Garden Task Force, which would raise funds for Phase 1 and then start work. Then raise money for Phase 2 and build, etc.

UUCBG Meditation Garden