End-of-Life Planning

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:6

As Christians, we travel along our faith walk each day of our lives. We are baptized into Christ and become a child of God and an heir of eternal life. We are confirmed in the faith of our baptism as a youth or adult and pledge to walk as a “Community Following Jesus.” We live our lives with the joys and sorrows that we all face, knowing that we always have the hope of the resurrection and eternal life waiting for us at the end of our journey.

Trinity is committed to walking hand in hand with you as you travel on your faith walk. You hear God’s Word. You are strengthened and comforted by fellow believers. You celebrate life’s joys together. You navigate the difficulties of life together with the body of Christ. As each of our lives comes to a close, Trinity is with you, proclaiming the Gospel message of an eternity of joy. With this in mind, Trinity offers several services, from funeral service pre-planning to a new columbarium at our Mission campus location.

Trinity's Columbarium

A final resting place for inurnment of ashes for Trinity members
Columbarium Lease Inquiry

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Columbarium?
The word comes from the Latin word “Columba” meaning dove. It has come to mean a structure with compartments, or niches, for holding cremains. While it typically refers to a specific structure, either indoors, or outdoors, it can also mean a designated area of ground where the cremains are buried, either in a specific container, or simply sprinkled freely.
Who is eligible to be inurned in the columbarium at Trinity Lutheran Church?
Trinity’s columbarium is for use by those who believe that Jesus Christ has destroyed the power of death by His resurrection and who thus await, with certain hope, Christ’s return in glory to raise the dead on the Last Day.

The columbarium is usually reserved for members, and others, who are part of Trinity’s faith community. Trinity’s pastoral team will consider other situations on a case-by-case basis.

What is the average cost of a direct cremation in the Kansas City area?
The average cost is $1,100 to $1,500, depending on the facility. The costs include removal of the deceased, the cremation, and return of cremains in a container suitable for inurnment. It does not include the cost of a specific urn, or any additional services as may be requested by the family.
What is the cost of a niche at TLC and what is included?
Each niche in the columbarium at TLC, will accommodate two (2) inurnments. The leasing of a niche costs $1,500. The price includes the lease, engraving of the cover plate with name and life dates of the deceased, choice of niche location based on availability, inurnment services by one of Trinity’s pastors, record keeping, and maintenance. If there is a second inurnment desired, the additional inurnment fee will be $300.
Are there financing options?
No. Payment for the leasing of the niche must be made in full at the time of purchase.
May a purchaser sell or transfer the lease agreement of a niche?
Yes, but only if prior written permission is obtained from the Columbarium Board, or the Pastoral staff at TLC, and the new lessee is eligible for inurnment in the columbarium.
Can I put more than one urn in a niche?
Yes. Each niche is designed to accommodate two (2) urns. However, the use of a specifically purchased urn is not required for inurnment at the TLC columbarium. Cremains are returned from the crematorium in a container that is suitable for inurnment and may be used for such. However, if a specific urn is desired, care must be exercised so that said urn does not exceed 7 inches deep, 11 inches high, and 11 inches wide.
May I choose the location of the niche?
Yes. All niches are the same size, and a schematic showing available niche locations will be provided at the time the lease is finalized.
May other items be inurned in a niche?
No, only cremated ashes of the eligible individual may be inurned in the niche.
Are flowers allowed?
Flowers may be placed in the columbarium on a stand at the time of services and may be left for a short period of time. However, no artificial arrangements will be allowed.
Does one actually own the niche?
No. The Columbarium is owned by and part of Trinity Lutheran Church. Acceptance of the completed Columbarium Use Agreement stipulates the right of Inurnment will continue as long as the present church edifice stands and is owned by TLC. If the present edifice is sold or demolished and a replacement Columbarium not furnished, the actions set forth in the Use Agreement will be followed.
What if a decision is made at a later date not to use the niche?
If there has been no inurnment, and a decision made by the lease or his/her legal representative that the niche is no longer needed, a written request needs to be made to the Columbarium Board, and the church may, at its discretion, repurchase the niche for the original lease costs, less $300 for administrative costs.
May ashes be removed from the Columbarium?
Yes. If the legal next of kin or designated legal representative of the person or persons inurned,wish to permanently remove the cremains, they may do so, but only after a written request is received by the Columbarium Board and written permission granted. However, there will be no reimbursement for the cost of the niche.
Who may officiate at an inurnment service?
Only one of Trinity’s pastors, or an ordained or licensed minister invited by Trinity’s senior pastor, shall be authorized to officiate at an inurnment service in the columbarium. The committal service shall be at a time mutually agreed upon by the pastor and family of the deceased.
What if the church building is sold?
The right of inurnment will continue as long as the present church edifice stands and is owned by Trinity Lutheran Church. If the present edifice is sold, or demolished, and a replacement building not erected, which would accommodate a new columbarium, the right of inurnment will cease. Specific language dealing with this contingency is included in the Columbarium Use Agreement.
How do I reserve a niche?
Contact the church office for an application or use the application information contained in the Trinity Lutheran Church website. You will be contacted by a representative of the Columbarium Board. You may also click the Columbarium Lease Inquiry button above.

As you age you gain life experiences that you may wish to share with others. The Legacy project being offered by the Senior Ministry will give older adults a vehicle to accomplish this. Legacy interviews are approximately 20 minutes in length, facilitated by an interviewer, which will provide you with a vehicle to record your life of faith and faith stories, lessons and views, to be given to family and loved ones. Faith stories will be recorded on a DVD and then given to you.

The Legacy project is designed not to give a biography of your life, but to offer insights as to what makes you unique, offering a deeper understanding of who you are and whose you are. Biographical stories will undoubtedly come into play but should be given as support to what has caused you to believe what you do and how that has materialized in your life. With some preparation, the interview can aid you in reviewing your life and evaluating where you are in your faith walk. It can also aid our church members in knowing each other better. The Legacy diary is similar in purpose to the Legacy interviews. There are things you can do in written form that time constraints may limit in the recorded interview. There is no length restrictions to the diary. It may also be possible to include a few photographs.

Leave your legacy. Tell your loved ones who you are and whose you are.

Trinity Senior Ministry is providing a unique service to older adults: recording your faith legacy for loved ones. Interested people can record their thoughts in the form of a 20-minute video. You are also invited to write a diary of your faith journey, which Trinity will produce. Either or both are available to Trinity older adults.

You are welcome to make your own questions as long as they pertain to you and your faith journey. The following are possible questions to be used. Try to budget your time so that you can be sure to have a recording that gives the message you want to send. Life experiences can be helpful but don’t let them take up all your time. Grab a sheet of paper and jot down some notes.

  • How did you come to your Christian faith? As a child? As an adult? Through marriage? Other? Explain.
  • Was there anyone or any institution that was especially instrumental in you becoming a Christian?
  • How would you explain the essence of your faith to your loved ones?
  • How has your faith been important in your life?  Perhaps a few examples would be good.
  • In what ways do you feel God has made good use of you?
  • Tell of an especially moving or life changing moment in which faith played an important role.
  • What is the message you would like your loved ones to remember from this talk?

 

Legacy Diary

Those writing the diary will be responsible for the final written and edited text put in an electronic document that can be sent to the church office. Trinity staff will not be responsible for editing the copy. We encourage family members to share in the writing of these diaries for those who consider this a challenge. It can serve as an additional bonding time. In some cases it may be possible to include a few photographs. Trinity will take it from there. There is a minimal cost for the booklet to cover paper and printing expenses. We expect that to be less than $2 per copy. You may have as many copies as you like. The questions provided for the Legacy interview may be used a guide for your diary. Enjoy reviewing your journey.

You will receive a DVD of your interview with rights to make as many copies as you wish for loved ones. You may receive as many copies of your diary as you wish.

The cost for the DVD is completely free. Free will donations to offset costs are always accepted. The cost of the diary is minimal and less than $2 per booklet.

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Interviews will be approximately 20 minutes long and will be facilitated by an interviewer. There is no limit to the length of the diary.

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