Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you. ~ James 4:8 (NRSV)
We hope you enjoy the English Close at St. James. (A name for a garden area with only one gated entrance – aka. closed in). It is a space where our loved one’s cremated remains are interred (grave markers on the ground). It is also a community space for prayer, meditation, and reflection that helps some folks feel “close to God.”
This is a Cherub, usually depicted in art by a child’s face, body, and wings. It symbolizes the Cherubim (meaning ‘close’), which, according to scripture, are the angels closest to God, and are included among the angels surrounding the heavenly seat and the Archangels.
Dedicated to the Glory of God and the memories of those who went before us, the English Close at St. James is a place of repose. The garden offers a beautiful atmosphere of peace to all who visit. Here, we celebrate our mutual life in Christ through joy, praise, laughter, conversation, meditation, and prayer.
The interment of ashes is reserved for members of St. James and their immediate families. The cremains will be placed into the earth (no urns or containers are permitted). The parish priest or another ordained person invited by the priest may officiate a committal service in the close. Ashes may also be scattered in the garden.
