Columbarium & Memorial Garden

The Columbarium is comprised of individual niches that can accommodate up to two urns. Each niche offers an engraved granite cover, much like a traditional gravestone.

The cost for those qualified is $3,000 per niche. The cost for non-qualified is $6,000 per niche.

Many families have found that the presence of the urn containing the cremated remains at a memorial services is very meaningful. Please consult a member of the funeral home staff to receive financial information for such arrangements.

An individual niche can accommodate up to two urns. Please refer to the following guidance on urns:

• Urns and containers are not provided or sold by the University. Arrangements for urns and containers can be made with the funeral home of your choice.
• Urns and containers must be constructed of metal or another sturdy material like marble or concrete. Wooden and glass urns cannot be used due to their fragile nature.
• If one urn is to be placed, it can be no larger than 9” L x 5-1/2” W x 5-1/2” D (standard size).
• If two urns are to be placed, they can be no larger than 7” L x 5-1/2” W x 5-1/2” D each (standard size).
• Urns can be purchsed through a local funeral home and are also available from many different internet retailers. We recommend the sheet bronze niche urn sold by Eickhof Columbaria.

The Memorial Garden provides a place for scatterings of cremains. The ground is prepared so that the ashes are placed directly into the ground in a biodegradable vessel. The individual’s name, date of birth, and date of passing is then added to the central memorial plaque located in the garden.

The cost for those qualified is $350. Non-qualified individuals are not permitted.

The following are eligible to be inurned in the University of Richmond Columbarium:

• Alumni of the University
• Active degree-seeking students
• Full-time and retired faculty
• Full-time and retired staff
• Active and former members of the Board of Trustees
• Immediate family members of those in the above groups (children, parents, spouse)

Those whose relationships with the University does not fall into one of the categories listed above are considered non-qualified individuals, and may purchase a niche in Section II of the Columbarium. Non-qualified individuals are not permitted to purchase rights to scatter ashes.

Memorial gatherings in the Memorial Garden and formal services in the Cannon Memorial Chapel can be arranged to occur at the same date of an inurnment or scattering. Alternatively, memorial services can be conducted at a later date when the family can arrange the desired gathering. The presence of the urn containing the ashes at the service is a personal choice.

An inurnment in the Columbarium can take place before or after the service, or at a later date.

As with an inurnment, the family can decide when to gather in the Memorial Garden for scatterings - before or after a memorial service, or at a later date.