Area churches provide urn storage

As more people choose cremation over traditional burials, some local churches are stepping up to provide columbariums, structures that store the deceased’s ashes. According to this DMN story, Northaven United Methodist Church on Preston just installed one complete with a prayer labyrinth and memorial garden. 

Today, about a third of deaths in the U.S. lead to cremations, according to the Cremation Association of North America, with those in Texas rising from 19 to 35 percent between 2003 and 2007. 

Columbarium projects also are under way at Lovers Lane UMC and FUMC Richardson.