The Belfast Cemetery Department is now offering an outdoor, above-ground monument in Grove Cemetery with individual niches that can hold two urns containing cremated remains. The installation of Belfast’s columbarium is a response to a growing preference for people to be cremated rather than receive a full casket burial. This is an attractive option provided to the public and the design ensures privacy and respect through time, located in the park-like setting of the cemetery. The public is invited to see the columbarium.
The niches are available for purchase at the Cemetery office in Grove Cemetery. The columbarium is a 48-niche, two-sided structure made of granite. Each niche is large enough to hold two cremation urns or containers. The interior size of each niche is 11” high x 11” wide x 13” deep. The cost for each niche is $2500.00.
Niches are sealed with a double door; the outer door is polished black granite and the inner door is high-grade aluminum. Niche owners can have names and birth and death dates engraved on the outer door of the unit. All niches are kept locked and secured at all times.
The Purchase Price of $2500.00 includes these one-time services:
• The cost of the niche
• Initial engraving on the outer granite door using information available at the time of purchase. Legal name, birth and death dates
• The opening and closing of the niche doors up to four times. Each inurnment requires opening both doors and then securing those doors once the urn is placed inside. The cost covers the placement of a second urn.
It is suggested before purchasing a niche, you first read the Columbarium Rules and Regulations online or request a hard copy at City Hall or at Grove Cemetery.
The columbarium was manufactured by Rock of Ages in Barre, Vermont and purchased from Provost Monuments in Benton, Maine.
Grove Cemetery is located at 21 Belmont Avenue. The columbarium was installed on the cemetery road leading to the maintenance building on September 12, 2024.
Contact Cemetery Superintendent Leigh Wilcox for more information. Call Leigh at 207 338-2264 or email: cemetery@cityofbelfast.org.