Mission Statement

To create and maintain a memorial garden as a final resting place for church members and their families who desire to have their cremains interred in our churchyard. The garden will serve as a living symbol of the Christian hope of the Resurrection and belief in eternal life.

In years gone by, our forebears wanted to be buried in the churchyard of the small neighborhood church where they worshiped. Today, urbanization, lack of space, and large church membership prohibit this practice. Yet many Christians still desire to have their final resting place near the church.
In 1996, a committee of church members, supported by the pastoral staff, researched and proposed the creation of a memorial garden at Bonhomme Presbyterian Church. The Session approved this proposal on December 17, 1996.
The garden was created on the south side of the church, adjacent to the Community Room and the east Sanctuary wall. It was designed by Robert Dingwall, N.P.D., a retired landscape designer from the Missouri Botanical Garden, and also a Bonhomme member. The entire cost of the garden was funded by special gifts and reservation fees. The Bonhomme Memorial Garden was formally dedicated on July 20, 1997.

The Bonhomme Memorial Garden is designed to accept cremated remains in biodegradable containers. The names of those interred will be engraved on the granite tablets attached to the outside Sanctuary wall. At the time of interment family members may choose to have a brief memorial service in the garden, conducted by one of the members of the Bonhomme pastoral staff. Biographical information provided by the family will be placed in a Book of Remembrance, maintained in the church office.
Use of the garden is available to members of Bonhomme, their Immediate families, former members, and other persons by special application and approval of the session.

Maintenance, Fees, and Administration

The Memorial Garden Committee is solely responsible for the planning and maintenance of the garden. No changes or additions to the landscape are permitted without prior approval of the committee.
Fees for the use of the garden provide the main financial support for the Memorial Garden Fund. Other gifts and contributions are welcome, and are used solely for the perpetual care of the area, its structure, and its plantings.
Records pertaining to the Memorial Garden, such as reservations, burial locations, and memorial funds, as well as the Book of Remembrance, are maintained by the church staff. Policies and procedures are set through the Congregational Care Commission and the Session.
The nonrefundable reservation fee for the garden is $300 per person. An additional fee is due at the time of interment to cover the cost of the engraving and other associated costs. Currently, this second fee is $200. If both fees ($500) are paid with the reservation, there will be no additional charges at the time of death, even if the fee has subsequently increased.