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“Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”

(Romans 6:4)

Central’s Columbarium

A columbarium ministry allows the church to fulfill the centuries-old obligation to serve its members from baptism to death. Central’s Columbarium was established in 2014 to be a proper and sacred resting place for those wishing to live out their baptismal faith at the close of life in the care of Central Lutheran Church. As your memorial service concludes in Central’s sanctuary, you are carried by your loved ones and accompanied by clergy and friends to the Columbarium niche where your remains are interred and commended to God’s care for eternity. You have arrived in the arms of God’s comfort and peace and in the care of the church to rest with all the saints.

Central’s Columbarium is in the west area of the lower narthex. This sacred undercroft below the sanctuary affords a quiet, peaceful, meditative location for family members and all others to visit and pay tribute to loved ones in a private, less public location. There are two walls containing a total of 306 companion niches. The interest in the first wall containing 144 niches in 2014 has resulted in the installation of a second wall of 162 niches in March 2021. The Columbarium Association Board is honored to be offering additional options and space for those desiring a dignified, elegant, and economical final resting place for themselves or others.

You are encouraged to review Columbarium Documents for further information. Columbarium Testimonials on this webpage provide personal statements by four families who have chosen this as a final resting place.

Columbarium Testimonials

For nearly seven decades, Central has felt like “home base” to my late husband and me.  His ministry had begun here as a seminary student and was concluded here as interim pastor.  When Central’s Columbarium was established, we made the easy decision to purchase a niche where we’ve had such a long affiliation.  It’s meaningful for my family and me to know that he rests as will I, in time, in the perpetual care of the Church.   –Louise Benson Griffin

Central has been the center of our lives since we moved here in 1997.  When plans for the Central Columbarium were first announced, we jumped at the opportunity to be with Central friends in our final resting place.  In addition, our family is scattered, and we thought there was a greater probability for them to visit and drop off a rose at the Columbarium rather than the cemetery lot in Clearfield, IA.    — Leon and Deanne Tibben

Cremation had already been established as a precedent in our families.  Although my husband wished to have his ashes scattered at a mountain pass in Switzerland, he gave me permission to plan for us as I pleased.  My decision was based on community and convenience.  I wanted a spot that someone could easily visit.  The columbarium is in the city, and indoors.  As our family heritage communities are far away, I chose my lifelong community to serve as the place of remembrance for us.  I’ve attended services at Central Lutheran Church since 1960.  Of course, I did not realize that I would be the person living with the decision.  –Lorene Gilliksen

Our grandmother, Marcella, was among the first to have her ashes placed in Central Lutheran’s Columbarium.  We are thankful to know that she is resting safely in the care of the Church.  Now, when we’re back in Minneapolis and at Church, we like to visit our grandmother’s niche.  It’s a nice, peaceful place.    –Paul, Daniel, Ben Peterson, and Jaclyn Heim

For more information

For current pricing, a tour of the columbarium, availability, and interment agreement forms, contact us.

Columbarium Association Board

Joyce Anderson
Christopher Haug
Bill Masche
Mark Peterson
Les Rosecke
Karl Starr
David West

Ex Officio
Pastor Peter Nycklemoe
Michael Dee

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