Memorial Garden
Located on Church property, the memorial garden is a beautiful area for the caring disposition of the cremated remains of loved ones. The Garden is there for present and former members and their families, and friends of First Church.
The garden is located on the south side of the Meeting House above the north bank of the Farmington River. The congregation approved the use of the land for this purpose at a special meeting on May 22, 2005. It was dedicated on November 6, 2005.
The garden has walkways, a low stonewall, garden beds and other plantings. Brownstone benches provide a place to sit and meditate.
Initial installation of artifacts and plantings is in accordance with the approved master design plan. Alterations to the plan may be necessary from time to time; however, the Memorial Garden Committee must approve all such revisions.
To maintain the beauty and dignity of the garden, there will be no special commemorative artifacts or plantings. Only the items called for in the master design plan or its approved revisions will be permitted.
Markers
The garden has two plaques: one is at the entrance identifying the garden and is inscribed as follows: "Welcome to our Memorial Garden, a sacred burial place for ashes of First Church Members, past and present, and their immediate families. The garden is a quiet place of prayer and to affirm that whether we live or die, we are in God's eternal care."
The other is affixed to a granite tablet at the west side of the garden and lists the names of those whose ashes are interred there. This tablet is inscribed as follows:
"Ashes of those dear to us are committed to the earth in the confident and certain hope of Resurrection to Eternal Life."
No other individual or commemorative plaques are permitted.