A Dignified Resting Place
A columbarium is a dignified and worthy resting place for cremated ashes. The Columbarium at the Cathedral is found in the beautiful vaulted undercroft at the east end of the Cathedral beneath the Sanctuary and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel which has been carefully restored and converted. Finely worked bronze cabinets containing individual niches are sited in the vaulted alcoves, with brass plaques commemorating each occupied niche.
Following cremation, the ashes of the deceased are placed in specially designed urns and deposited in a designated niche during a service of interment. These urns, and a memorial plaque, are produced and provided by a local undertaker, and that will be arranged with the Cathedral Office when an internment date has been set.
The Columbarium is available to all the baptised throughout the Diocese of East Anglia, since the Cathedral is the Mother Church of the diocese.
Use of the Columbarium costs £2,000 for each niche. This fee helps with the upkeep of the Cathedral and Columbarium and so itself is a fitting tribute to the deceased. Parishioners of the Cathedral parish itself, and members of the Friends of the Cathedral are charged £1,750 for the use of the Columbarium.
In addition to the niches in the Columbarium cabinets already described, a limited number of special urns are available for those who would prefer a more prominent memorial. The requested donation for a memorial urn is higher than for a standard niche and details are available on application.
If you would like further information, contact the Cathedral Office.
