Memorial Garden

Holy Spirit's Expanded Memorial Garden & Future Columbarium

For many families, Holy Spirit has been the setting for life's most important moments. Where children were baptized, marriages were blessed, prayers were offered in times of joy and sorrow, and faith was nurtured across generations. The expansion of the Amelia Mary Memorial Garden continues that story, creating a lasting place where parishioners and their loved ones can remain close to the community that has shaped their faith. 
 
By adding a Columbarium, we are creating a sacred place where parishioners and their families can remain connected to the community they love. This expanded sacred space will offer a beautiful setting for prayer, remembrance, and hope, just steps from the church where generations have worshipped, celebrated the sacraments, and encountered Christ. 

What is a Columbarium?

A Columbarium is a sacred structure containing individual niches that hold the cremated remains of the deceased. It is a dignified and consecrated form of Catholic burial that respects the body and honors the life it carried. Families can visit, pray, and find comfort knowing their loved ones rest in a place of faith. 
 
As an extension of the Amelia Mary Memorial Garden, Holy Spirit's Columbarium will provide a lasting place of prayer, remembrance, and hope, ensuring that future generations of parishioners have the opportunity to remain connected to the community they love. 

Location and Timeline

The Holy Spirit Columbarium will be located adjacent to the existing Amelia Mary Memorial Garden, creating a beautiful and prayerful place where parishioners and their families can remain connected to the community they love for generations to come. 

Project Timeline 

• June 2026: Founding Reservation Period opens; gifting and naming opportunities available 
• November 2026: Groundbreaking begins 
• Easter 2027: Columbarium anticipated to be complete and ready to welcome our community 

A Place to Belong, Now and Always

For many parishioners, Holy Spirit has been the setting for life's most important moments: baptisms, marriages, countless celebrations of the Eucharist, and prayers offered in times of both joy and sorrow. 
 
For those who feel called to remain at Holy Spirit, the Columbarium offers something deeply meaningful: the opportunity to rest on the same grounds where they worshipped, received the sacraments, and were part of a community of faith. Families who visit will find not only a place of remembrance, but a place of prayer, peace, and hope.

Canon Law ensures that the Catholic Church perpetually maintains its places of burial. A portion of every niche fee is set aside for the ongoing care of the columbarium and garden, so that this sacred space remains worthy of those who rest there for generations to come.

Niche Details

Each niche measures 8” x 8” and can hold up to two souls. The per-niche rate is the same whether reserving for one or two souls. All prices include: 

• Up to 2 bronze urns 
• Inurnment 
• Bronze plaque with inscription 
• Once the niche map is finalized in late Fall 2026, locations will be selected on a first-reserved basis. Families who reserve during the Founding Period will have priority access to the first phase of niches, situated in a prominent area adjacent to the Memorial Garden.
  
  

Reserve a Niche

We are currently in our Founding Reservation Period (June 1 through August 31, 2026), the earliest opportunity to reserve a niche and secure priority placement before construction begins this fall. 
 
If you are interested in reserving a niche, applications are available at the parish office or by contacting Sarah Savoie at ssavoie@hsccatl.com. 
 
To qualify for the parishioner rate, you must be an active member of Holy Spirit Parish for at least one full calendar year and actively contribute to the parish. If you have any questions about eligibility, you can reach out to the parish office. 
 
Priority for niche selection will be given to parishioners and the immediate family members of parishioners. Non-parishioners are also welcome to request a niche reservation, and we will do our best to accommodate those requests based on availability after parishioner needs have been met.

Parishioner Pricing

Founders Period (June 1 - Aug 31, 2026) - $6,000

Construction Period (Sept 1 - Dec 31, 2026) - $7,000

Standard Rate (Beginning Jan 1, 2027) - $8,000

Non-parishioner Rate - $10,000 

Pricing is subjuect to change with a minimum of 60 days' notice. Reservations made priort to any price chance will retain the pricing in effect at the time of the reservation.

Payments are currently accepted by check only. Please reach out to the parish office if you would like to make payment using a credit or debit card.

We Are Here For You

We know this is a decision that deserves time, prayer, and conversation. If you are considering the Columbarium for yourself or a loved one, you do not need to navigate the process alone. 
 
Whether you have questions about reservations, would like to speak with a member of our clergy, or simply want to talk through whether the Columbarium is right for your family, we are here to help and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve you in this way. 
 
Sarah Savoie 
Director of Mission Advancement & Development 
ssavoie@hsccatl.com 
404-252-4513 

Catholic Church Teaching on Cremation

Cremation has become part of contemporary Catholic practice and is used in about 20% of all funerals. Although cremation is permitted, Catholic teaching continues to stress the preference for burial or entombment of the body of the deceased, done in imitation of the burial of Jesus. 
 
Catholic teaching insists that cremated remains must be given the same respect as the body, including the manner in which they are carried and the attention given to their appropriate transport and placement. The cremated remains of a body are to be buried or entombed, preferably in a Catholic cemetery. 

- from the Archdiocese of Atlanta's website