Resurrection Memorial Garden

Planning for a sacred final resting place

“…nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord: not death or life.” (Romans 8:38)

A sacred final resting place

The Resurrection Memorial Garden provides a beautiful and meaningful final resting place on the grounds of the church that you have loved and served. Inurnment in the memorial garden is an alternative to burial for those who consider Church of the Resurrection their church home, along with their immediate family members. The garden is located beneath the Resurrection stained glass window, just north of the Leawood sanctuary, making it a welcoming, sacred and private place for loved ones to spend time in remembrance, prayer and reflection.

Like the Resurrection Window, the Resurrection Memorial Garden continues the theme of gardens from the Bible. The design includes a columbarium, a landscaped garden with walkways and seating benches, and an inspirational water feature. The columbarium is an arrangement of stone walls with openings in which urns containing the cremated remains of the deceased loved ones are placed for permanent inurnment. Bronze plaques on the niches are engraved with the names and life dates of those inurned.

The Memorial Garden is being constructed in phases. The first phase, completed in the fall of 2019, is a courtyard with a free-standing stone wall containing 900 individual niches, a water feature, and the infrastructure (site development, fencing, electrical and plumbing). The second phase, Courtyard 2B, was completed in January 2021. Additional courtyards, stone walls and niches will be constructed as needed. Courtyard 2A will be constructed at a future date. Plans include nine courtyards to accommodate 5,100 niches.

The current cost of purchasing a niche in the first two phases of the Resurrection Memorial Garden is $2,750. The cost includes one individual niche, opening and closing for inurnment, one standard urn, a blank bronze blank cover for the niche, record-keeping and maintenance. Not included is the cost of cremation and the engraved inscription on the bronze niche cover.

Steps for Purchasing and Selecting a Niche

  1. Review the Memorial Garden Agreement. You may download the agreement from the website: cor.org/garden or call the church (913-897-0120) to request a copy by mail. Return your completed agreement and payment to: The Church of the Resurrection, Attention: Memorial Garden Administrator, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS 66224.
  2. Payment must accompany the signed agreement. Payment by check is preferred. If you wish to pay with a credit card, please email memorialgarden@cor.org for further instructions.
  3. Once your paperwork and payment are received, you will receive an email with information about meeting to select the location of your niche(s). Appointments may take place in person at the church or via email and phone.
  4. At your niche selection appointment, the Memorial Garden administrator will work with you individually to select a niche for you and/or your loved ones. This appointment may be handled by phone or in person.
  5. You will receive a copy of your agreement with the signature of the memorial garden administrator and the identifying number of the niche you have purchased at your niche selection appointment.
We live with hope in life eternal and the assurance that even death cannot separate us from God’s love. Preparing for the end of our earthly lives provides peace of mind and a way to continue to care for our family and friends, easing their burden during a time of grief. Preparation can also ensure our final wishes are carried out. At Church of the Resurrection, our pastors and funeral program director are available to discuss your plans, which are kept on file with the church. With the construction of the Resurrection Memorial Garden, you can select and purchase a columbarium niche on church grounds as your final resting place.

Questions and Answers

If you have additional questions, please contact us at memorialgarden@cor.org or (913) 897-0120.
Why did we build a new Memorial Garden?

A memorial garden provides a sacred final resting place for loved ones that proclaims our faith in the resurrection. The Church of the Resurrection has had a memorial garden in the courtyard of Building C, adjacent to Wesley Covenant Chapel, since 1999. We have added to it over the years to accommodate the growing need.

All available niches in the Wesley Garden are sold. We have now sold all niches in the first phase of the Resurrection Memorial Garden, and are now selling for phase two.

Why inurnment in a columbarium instead of burial?
Many people choose inurnment in a columbarium rather than burial in a cemetery because of a desire to be laid to rest on the grounds of the church that they loved and served. The cost of inurnment is usually considerably less than the cost of a burial in a cemetery.
What does the Scripture say about cremation?
Israel’s first king and his sons were cremated following their deaths in battle, but otherwise the Bible is silent about the practice. Throughout history there were Christians whose physical bodies were consumed by fire, including first century martyrs and those who die in fires and war. The destruction of the physical body has no bearing upon one’s resurrection to eternal life. The scripture does teach that our physical body, after death, will return to dust, but we will receive a new spiritual body in heaven.
Do I have to be a member of Church of the Resurrection to own or use a niche in the Garden?
Membership is not a requirement, but the memorial gardens are built for those who consider Resurrection their church home, and their immediate family members.
When will the Resurrection Memorial Garden be built and open?

Courtyard 1 of the Resurrection Memorial Garden opened in the fall of 2019. Courtyard 2B was completed in January 2021. Additional courtyards will be added as needed.

Can I reserve a niche now and pay later?
Unfortunately, no. Because the Resurrection Memorial Garden is self-funded, payment in full is needed at the time you select your niche(s). Future phases will be completed as needed.
Is my purchase of a niche tax deductible?
You are purchasing the niche at fair market value, therefore IRS regulations determine the purchase is not tax deductible.
What if I have family members who want niches together?
Each niche accommodates one individual. Adjacent niches may be purchased if you select and pay for them at the same time.
What will happen to the current Wesley Memorial Garden in Building C? Will additional niches be available?
The current Wesley Memorial Garden will continue to be beautifully maintained and open. Some additional niches may become available for sale after Resurrection Memorial Garden construction is complete.
My loved one's remains are in the Wesley Memorial Garden. Can I have them moved to the Resurrection Memorial Garden?
Yes, that’s possible, but there may be a cost, depending on the circumstances when you purchased the niche. Please contact the Memorial Garden Administrator for additional information.
What if I purchase a niche and then decide to be inurned elsewhere?
If you own a niche and decide later not to use it as you intended, you may gift it to a family member or donate it back to Church of the Resurrection.
I own an unoccupied niche in the Wesley Memorial Garden. Can I trade it for one in the Resurrection Memorial Garden?
Purchased niches cannot be transferred, but you may donate your niche back to the church as a charitable contribution and purchase a niche in the Resurrection Memorial Garden.
Can I supply my own urn for inurnment?
No, the niches and urns are specifically designed to fit within the columbarium and withstand the elements.

Documents and Downloads

Download the Brochure
Read Reflection Guide
Download the Agreement
Download the Niche Map
Return to COR.org