Latvian Center Garezers, “LCG,” is constructing an area called the Garden of Peace near its outdoor church. This area will include a Columbarium, which is not a one single structure, but rather a series of smaller structures (sections/pods). Within each Columbarium section are compartments or drawers, called niches, within which urns are placed. This process is called inurnment.

This document provides for a background of a newly developed Garden of Peace Committee, along with its responsibilities and those of LCG, and associated policies and guidelines.

I – OVERVIEW

1. Peace Garden Committee

The Garden of Peace Committee (“Committee”) is comprised of no fewer than 3 members, one of which shall be a member of the LCG Board of Directors (“Board”).  The Committee members shall be approved by the LCG Executive Committee.  The Committee will issue an annual report to the Board at a regular meeting of the Board. The Committee will meet as necessary.

1. Columbarium

The design and build of the Columbarium will be determined by the Committee in conjunction with LCG and in consultation with the Board.

Each section of the Columbarium will be built as demand exists.  Additional sections will not be built until funding from fees and donations is secured.  If initial demand exceeds the capacity to build additional sections, the process to determine which individuals have priority is the responsibility of the Committee in consultation with LCG and the Board.

1. Use Agreement (Right of Inurnment)

A Use Agreement for the rights of inurement will be executed for each Columbarium niche. This Use Agreement does not constitute a sale of property.  The Use Agreement is the right for the use of a niche. All ownership of the land, the Peace Garden, the Columbarium structures, and surroundings remain with LCG. This Use Agreement states the rights of the parties.

1. Niches and Urns

Each niche is 12” high, 12” wide and 12” deep and has a capacity for two urns.

The size of each individual urn must fit within the existing niche. The material used in an owner-supplied urn must be preapproved by the Committee.  Wood urns will not be allowed due to deterioration concerns. Engraving of the urn shall be at the purchaser’s expense.

II – Rules of Inurnment

1. Eligibility is determined as outlined by LCG and in its governing documents. Those allowed to be members of and participate in LCG are eligible for inurnment. Family of eligible members are also eligible for inurnment.
2. The reservation of a niche and payment of the fee give to the purchaser the right to name the designee to be inurned subject to revocation as described below. LCG only provides the niches, engraving of the niche plaque (which will be a standardized format), and inurnment. LCG is not responsible for the urn, engraving or etching of the urn or for any other costs or funeral expenses of whatever nature.
3. A representative of the designee may then apply at any time for authorization for the inurnment of an urn containing the cremated remains of that designee upon the approval of the Committee. A separate authorization shall be required for each inurnment. A separate Use Agreement is required for each niche. If Purchaser purchases an additional urn for placement in the same niche it shall be indicated on a separate Use Agreement. If two urns for the same niche are purchased at the same time, one Use Agreement may be used.
4. Plaque and Inscriptions. Each Niche may have a plaque and the engraving of such plaque shall be of a uniform size, font, and composition prescribed by the Committee. The Purchaser or assigns of the Purchaser of the deceased is responsible for providing LCG with the legal names and dates for birth and death of the deceased. Each niche will be inscribed only with the name of the deceased, date of birth, and date of death. No other inscriptions or designations will be permitted.
5. Flowers/Decorations. Cut flowers are permitted. Flowers in vases or pots are not permitted.  Planting is not permitted.  Decorations, such as plastic flowers, flags, and/or other items are not permitted.
6. Visiting the Garden of Peace and Columbarium. As the Garden of Peace is accessible through LCG it is open for visiting throughout the year, however during the camp season please ensure that visits do not affect camp activities. When camp is not in session visitors should take appropriate steps to ensure that visitation will not affect other LCG activities.
7. No transfer of a Right of Inurnment for a niche may be made to another person, estate, or corporation. If the Purchaser finds it necessary to relinquish the Niche after payment of the Use Fee and said Niche has been unused, (or if Purchaser does not use the Niche after a reasonable period of time and notification by LCG), LCG at its discretion, shall have the right to release the Niche and LCG may refund a portion of the Use Fee to the Purchaser, but in any event, LCG shall retain at least $1000 of the Use Fee for administrative costs. If said Niche has been previously used and is vacated, the Purchaser shall not be entitled to any refund of any part of the Use Fee.
8. All arrangements for inurnment will be made by the Purchaser in conjunction with the Committee and LCG.
9. The Purchaser is entirely responsible to ensure that the urn, the cremains and all applicable cremation laws are followed according to rules within these bylaws and applicable state law where the remains are cremated.
10. The purchaser assumes the obligation to have the remains cremated and otherwise prepared in accord with the applicable state laws, for the urn and any engraving or etching of the urn, and to follow the rules expressed herein.
11. Removal of an urn will be permitted only by permission of the Committee and LCG and upon presentation of the appropriate documentation.
12. Only the cremation of human remains are allowed to be inurned in the Columbarium.

III – Operation and Duties of LCG and the Peace Garden Committee

1. The policies set forth herein and future amendments thereto, as approved by the Board, shall govern the operation of the Committee.

B The policies adopted by the Board are set forth here for the guidance of all.  LCG and  Committee, in consultation with the Board, will decide any matter not covered by the policies as they now exist, or as they may be amended in the future.

1. LCG and the Committee, in consultation with the Board, maintain supervisory authority of the Garden of Peace and Columbarium.
2. The Committee will work in conjunction with LCG to ensure proper administration of the Garden of Peace and Columbarium. The Committee will work in conjunction with LCG to ensure proper document retention. Documents related to the Columbarium and Garden of Peace will be retained by LCG. The Purchaser is responsible for providing the following documents: Copy of the Death Certificate; Copy of the Cremation Certificate
3. The Committee will be the primary liaison between the public, LCG and Board.
4. A Use Agreement fee shall be determined by the Committee in consultation with LCG and the Board and shall include a niche, engraving of the niche plaque, inurnment and the cost of perpetual care of the Garden of Peace and Columbarium. If it is necessary to reopen the niche at a later date a donation is recommended to cover the cost.
5. LCG is responsible for the management of all funds directly associated with the Garden of Peace and Columbarium. LCG will maintain financial records of fees paid, donations and disbursements. The Committee will provide an annual financial update to the Board at a regularly scheduled Board meeting.
6. The Garden of Peace, Columbarium and all costs associated with the building, administration and maintenance of same will be paid by the fees from Purchasers and from designated donations. These fees, donations and costs will not be a part of the LCG annual budget. Withdrawal of these funds must be approved by the Committee who shall submit a disbursement request to LCG. No member of the Committee shall have the right to disburse funds.  Funds will separately accounted for from the LCG annual budget.
7. The Committee will ensure suitable planting and landscaping in the Columbarium area. Nothing can be placed or planted in the Garden of Peace or Columbarium without prior approval from the Committee.
8. The Committee will coordinate with LCG to organize and schedule periodic blessings. This will be advertised in appropriate ways to the community.
9. Special cases may arise in which the literal enforcement of these Polices or fees may impose unnecessary hardship. The Committee in consultation with LCG and the Board shall retain the right, without notice, to grant exceptions to any of these Policies or fees when in the judgment of the Committee in consultation with LCG and the Board such action appears advisable. Such exceptions shall in no way be construed as affecting the general application of these Policies and shall not constitute a waiver of any of them.

IV – Responsibilities of LCG

1. LCG shall take reasonable efforts to maintain the Peace Garden and Columbarium in good condition, take reasonable precautions against defacement or defilement of the Peace Garden, Columbarium and niches. To foregoing obligations, all maintenance expenses will be funded from fees and received for each space, as well as donations and memorials designated for this purpose.
2. LCG shall maintain all records associated with the Peace Garden and Columbarium, including documentation of inurnments. LCG shall take reasonable steps to ensure preservations of such records.
3. In the event LCG or the Columbarium shall be relocated, or cease to operate or in the event of destruction of the Columbarium resulting from an act of God, LCG shall make reasonable efforts to contact the Purchaser or representative to inform of same. The Urns shall then be returned to the Purchaser or representative. If after reasonable efforts LCG is unable to contact the Purchaser or representative, the cremated remains shall be scattered in an appropriate location on LCG property as determined by LCG and the Committee; and this ceremony will include a LELBA pastor or other clergy.
4. Termination of the Garden of Peace or Columbarium: The right of inurnment shall continue so long as the property at 57732 Lone Tree Rd, Three Rivers, MI 49093 is occupied by Latvian Center Garezers, or any of their legal successors or assigns. If the property at 57732 Lone Tree Rd, Three Rivers, MI 49093 is sold, transferred, or assigned, and a replacement Columbarium will not be furnished at a new premises or other site, the right of inurnment at 57732 Lone Tree Rd, Three Rivers, MI 49093 will cease. In that event, LCG will use reasonable efforts to notify the Purchaser, his or her heirs, beneficiaries, or legal representatives, that LCG is ceasing to exist and that the urn(s) must be removed from the niche. If arrangements for the removal of cremains are not made within a reasonable period, or if a proper representative cannot be contacted within a reasonable time, LCG will be authorized to take possession of and title to the cremains, and relocate the cremains to such location as deemed reasonable or appropriate, or to disburse the cremains on the at 57732 Lone Tree Rd, Three Rivers, MI 49093 property in a fitting service, as deemed proper.  This ceremony will include a LELBA pastor or other clergy.  No refunds of any amounts paid for the purchase of inurnment rights shall be made in the instance of the termination of the Columbarium.