Information Meetings Sunday, February 26 at 12:15 p.m. - Chapel Sanctuary Sunday, March 11 at 12:15 p.m. - Fireside Room Sunday, March 18 at 12:15 p.m. - Chapel Sanctuary Sunday, March 25 at 12:15 p.m. - Chapel Sanctuary Please join us for one of these informational meetings to find out more about The Memorial Garden. Expression of Interest Letter Click on the icon below if you would like to complete an Expression of Interest letter. Contact Tami Hall 303.325.8904

Cherry Hills Community Church is dedicated to serving the members of our congregation at every stage of life. The Memorial Garden at Cherry Hills will serve our church family and surrounding community at the end of their lives by accepting cremated remains in niches or a communal urn.

Additionally, The Chapel Arcade will provide The Wall of Remembrance that will help us remember our loved ones who are remembered elsewhere.

The Memorial Garden will be located to the west of The Chapel surrounding the existing Prayer Garden. The Chapel hosts most of the funerals at Cherry Hills, and currently many of the services are for individuals and families that have chosen cremation.

Theological Acceptance of Cremation 

In the early days, Christians were interred within the physical structure of the church or outside in the churchyard, but during the last half of the 20th century remote cemeteries, disconnected from church life, became the trend. Both cremation and burial have been practiced in Christianity, and there is no Scripture supporting or condemning cremation. Recently there has been a growing preference for cremation. For that reason, inurnment is reviving the traditional churchyard in the form of a Memorial Garden.

Cremation Statistics

According to the Cremation Association of North America, cremation trends indicate: In 2005, 32% of deaths in the US and 56% of deaths in Colorado were cremated. By 2015, projections indicate that 44% of deaths in the US and 72% of deaths in Colorado will be cremated.

Click on the following links for a Denver Post and New York Times article about cremation.

The Memorial Garden Features

Niche A granite-faced niche has space for two sets of cremated remains.

Common Urn The Common Urn is an option for those who prefer not to purchase a niche.

The Wall of Remembrance The Wall of Remembrance will hold wall-mounted plaques and will serve as a lasting reminder of loved ones.

Project Information

• The Memorial Garden has been submitted to the Douglas County Planning Department for a Site Improvement Plan approval.
• The Elder Board must review and approve The Memorial Garden project and the associated construction financing.
• The first phase of The Memorial Garden will begin with 2,560 niches that can each contain two sets of cremated remains.
• The Memorial Garden will be of the same materials as The Chapel.
• Construction is planned to begin in the spring of 2012 and be completed by early fall.
• Memorial Garden niche selection will begin when construction is finished.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for Artist Renderings for The Memorial Garden

All go to one place; all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:20