What is a Cremation Garden?

Everyone deserves a permanent memorial to commemorate their life and the memories they shared after they pass on. With cremation having gained popularity over the years and continuing to rise, it’s a common misconception that a loved one can’t have a permanent memorial after they’re cremated.

When we think about the final resting place of a loved one who has been cremated, scattering ashes in a meaningful outdoor location, or keeping cremated remains in an urn in the home quickly comes to mind. However, not every family wants to keep their loved one’s ashes, and many families prefer the idea of a permanent resting place, but do not want to bury ashes in a traditional grave.

There is another option. A cremation garden can serve as a final resting place while providing a family with a permanent memorial.

A cremation garden is a dedicated outdoor space with the sole purpose of providing a place to keep a loved one’s cremated remains while giving family and friends a convenient place to visit and remember in a beautiful and tranquil setting. Cremation gardens are beautifully landscaped and offer seating areas to allow for peaceful reflection. Family members can dedicate benches, plaques, or markers to memorialize their loved ones. 

Both cremation and cremation gardens give individuals and their families the gift of flexibility, compared to a traditional burial. First, cremation itself tends to be less expensive than burial and scattering in a dedicated garden eliminates costs associated with cemetery burial plots and caskets. Families can choose the exact location to scatter, while cemeteries may not have plots available where you want. 

Another benefit is families can still choose to have a funeral or memorial service before the ashes are laid to rest. This helps accommodate those with busy schedules or those who live far away. A committal ceremony can be a beautiful way to pay final respects and include friends and family. Many cremation gardens have areas exclusively to hold memorial services, as well. While traditional funerals typically take place very soon after a death, cremation gardens allow families extra time to plan and coordinate, if needed.

Families can also choose to spread a portion of the ashes in a cremation garden and keep some at home or in a keepsake such as a necklace pendant, or give the remainder of the ashes to multiple family and friends. Lastly, many people are just not comfortable with the idea of visiting their loved one’s memorial in a traditional cemetery. A cremation garden can look and feel more modern, natural, and inviting.

Horan & McConaty’s Cremation Gardens are unique havens that offer families serene and beautiful gardens to memorialize loved ones. The Cremation Gardens have two locations in Denver and Centennial, both located adjacent to our funeral homes. The gardens have been meticulously cultivated and landscaped with native flowers, water features, and winding pathways with clear views of the mountains. They’ve also been designated as an Official Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation, offering visitors the opportunity to observe Colorado’s native flora and fauna in a protected environment.

The gardens offer multiple ways to memorialize your loved ones, including engraved walkway pavers, benches, bronze niches, columbarium niches, Colorado boulder monuments, and more. Families also have the option to collaborate with Columbine Monuments’ expert designers to create a unique memorial that represents their loved one and honors them in a unique and meaningful way.

Call us at 1-303-745-4418 or visit a location nearest you to learn more about The Cremation Gardens and speak with a staff member to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Horan & McConaty has proudly served the Denver Metro area for over 100 years, helping families in our communities grieve and celebrate the ones they love.