Memorials

Both church members and non-members alike are welcome to hold memorial services here under the guidance of our ministers and the events coordinator. Call the church office at 650-323-6167 for specific details.

Memorial Garden

In 1995, a small group of members of FUMC, Palo Alto, “affirming their faith that death is not the end of life, but rather the climax of life on earth, leading to eternal life on another life” began planning a Memorial Garden in Garland Court (North Patio). Planning and construction were completed in 1997 and dedication of the Garden was done on November 7 of that year.

The garden includes two planter areas: in the upper one, specific sites can be selected where ashes can be buried either directly in the ground or in a biodegratable bag; in the lower area, ashes will be buried in an undesignated site. In either case, a record of burial is kept in the church office and a copy in a safe off-church site. Name plaques with dates of birth and death are mounted on the wall.

The Memorial Garden is maintained by an income from an endowment fund made possible by a portion of the fees paid for burials as will as by Memorial gifts and other gifts made by individuals. Centennial Endowment Fund grants have also made several grants for specific needs.

We encourage FUMC members to consider making arrangements for their ashes to be buried in our Memorial Garden. If you have any questions, please do call Mary Ann Michel (650-494-0162)