Ebenezer offers two distinct areas for honoring the remains of loved ones.  The Columbarium or the Memorial Garden, both located on the church grounds, are quiet and peaceful places for meditation, prayer and remembrance.

Jesus said, “Because I live you also will live.” -John 14:19

Cremation, and the scattering of remains, is a faithful way of honoring the memory of a loved one and friend given to us in relationship by God who is the author of all life.  The church offers the ashes back to the same earth from whence humanity was first created (Genesis 2:7), trusting in the power of God to raise us even now.

The Ebenezer Memorial Garden serves as a ‘holy place’ set apart in the midst of the city.  Here the saints in light once toiled to share God’s gracious good news, and now rest until the coming of Christ on that great and glorious day.

The Ebenezer Lutheran Church columbarium is located in the courtyard next to the sanctuary on Richland Street and provides a burial place for urns of cremated human remains. Persons who are eligible for inurnment include

• members of Ebenezer Lutheran Church of Columbia, South Carolina;
• spouses of members;
• parents or step-parents of members;
• children or step-children of members;
• current or former pastors, their spouses, and their children; and
• other persons approved by the congregation council

The columbarium consists of two solid granite columbaria, each with 48 niches, installed on a gray granite slab foundation. Each niche is double depth to accommodate two urns and measures 12 inches high x 12 inches wide x 15 inches deep.

A one-time reservation fee for inurnment is $1,800. A service deemed appropriate by the pastor is required for cremated remains to be inurned in the columbarium niche. All other costs—including costs of cremation, engraving, and urn—are the responsibility of the purchaser.

Persons who are interested in purchasing a columbarium niche may review the policies and then complete the agreement and application to submit to the church office. The church staff and Columbarium Committee review and approve applications. Once the application is approved and a niche is selected, a Certificate of Right of Inurnment is issued to the purchaser.