The announcement of our long awaited beneficial "Pay As You Go" program for your preplanning for end of life issues and for your memorial service wishes for your peace of mind and for that of your caring family.

This program allows you the freedom of purchasing crypt spaces in The Columbarium Garden using our affordable payment plan.

Contact a member of the Columbarium Garden Committee for more information and timing of this exciting new program.

The KOG Columbarium Garden Committee: 
Dick Neebel, Chairperson
Jim Rickerd
Bob Firman
Becky Newberry, Treasurer
Cathie Olson, Secretary
Helen Sharp

(By Lisa Simmons, Architarium, Customer Service, 10/11/2008)

            Families like mine are adhering to a strict budget these days.  But there are always unexpected events.  Unfortunately, a death in the family is one of them.  Speaking from personal experience, the aftermath happens so quickly that there is no time to research costs.  As a result, many Americans pay more than they may have planned.  And with the current tight economy, it may be with money that was budgeted for cost of living.

On average, cremation burials are 20-25% of casket burials.  The additional cost of casket burials is due to multiple factors.  Casket burials:

·         Involve more parts, like markers, marker bases, liners, vaults, etc.

·         Involve costlier parts, like a casket

·         Involve more transportation

·         Require heavy equipment, i.e., backhoe, lift, etc.

·         Traditionally involve a funeral home, which typically charges more than a non-profit

·         Traditionally involve a viewing, which has a lot of associated cost

·         Often involve a funeral package, which provides more services

Here are some specific cost comparisons:

·         Container cost:  The average casket today costs around $5,000.  But a casket can exceed $10,000.  In contrast, the average urn today costs around $150.  And that's the only container-related cost for cremation.  Caskets are not required.

·         Marker cost:  A basic marker can be obtained for $300.  But, like caskets, a marker can far exceed this cost.  And a marker often requires a base to stop it from sinking.  That might cost around $150.

Whatever you decide, be sure that you know the (1) options and (2) the costs.  Remember that planning a burial is very personal and the choices are yours.

                Cremations as percentage of deaths are rising rapidly.  In 1998, the number of Americans choosing cremation was 553,000.  That translates to a US national rate of 26%.  Canada's cremation rate is 45%.  In England and Japan it is 90%.  These rates will continue to increase for a number of reasons:

ECONOMIC - the direct and indirect costs associated with cremation are much lower than traditional burial.

ENVIRONMENTAL - one-half less land is used, if any, depending on deposition used.

SANITARY CONSIDERATIONS - in-ground burial can contaminate water supplies for entire communities

There is more flexibility for the deposition of the cremated remains, compared to a casket burial.  For all of the above reasons, cremation has become an acceptable, and for many, preferable form of burial.

     People are opting for cremation in record numbers and rejecting the idea that they should go ahead with a traditional burial simply because "that's the way it's always been done".  Your last wishes should be a true reflection of the individual you are in life.  From a pragmatic standpoint, many people find that cremation just makes sense.

    Choosing cremation means you are choosing to give back to the earth.  It requires no harmful chemicals or plastics like those used in the embalming process.  Cremation is also less wasteful - no casket or space in the ground is required.  And, unlike a burial, cremation does not require perpetual grounds maintenance.

    A traditional funeral can cost upwards of $ 10,000, obligating you and your family to the additional costs of a casket, a cemetery plot, a vault, and a headstone.  Cremation is a mere fraction of the expense of a traditional funeral.

    Cremation gives you options.  You have the freedom to be memorialized in a number of ways:  ashes can be buried, put into a niche, scattered in one or multiple places, sent into space, kept at home, divided among children, or even made into jewelry.  If you already own a plot or niche in a cemetery, you may choose to have any company perform the cremation prior to the remains being interred in a cemetery.