The Pastors and Memorial Committee wish to make available to communicants of Southern Pines United Methodist Church a dignified and suitable place on church property for interring the cremated ashes of deceased communicants and their families. There is no intent to create or designate a cemetery or a burial ground for human remains.

A statement of policies and conditions concerning and regulating the interment of ashes is necessary. THEREFORE, it is stipulated and resolved by the Administrative Council that:

1.) Cremated ashes of members of Southern Pines United Methodist Church and their families may, after request approved by the pastor, be buried in the Courtyard Garden of Southern Pines United Methodist Church.

2.) The center courtyard is designated as the location for burial of cremated ashes. It is to be known as the Courtyard Garden of Southern Pines United Methodist Church.

3.) At each burial, a pastor of Southern Pines United Methodist Church shall officiate and provide an appropriate committal. Burial and committal normally shall be: a. Preceded by a funeral service with burial following the rites; or b. A burial that occurs after a memorial service; or c. A burial that occurs shortly after cremation, with a memorial service to be held later.

4.) Ashes must be in a bio-degradable container, or interred with no container.

5.) There shall be no reservation in advance of a particular location for burial; the location of an actual burial spot will not be marked; and no object or decoration of any kind shall be placed at such location.

6.) A common plaque shall be placed in the Southern Pines United Methodist Church listing the names and dates of birth and death of persons whose ashes are buried.

7.) The cost of burial and inscription on the memorial plaque of $200 shall be paid by a family representative of the decedent. The pastor may waive payment of the fees. The fee structure is not intended to provide additional revenue to the church beyond provision of adequate financing for the burial of ashes and maintenance of the garden and plaque.

8.) Ashes buried in the churchyard may not be removed.

9.) The following shall be kept on file in the church office:

a.) Certificate of Cremation

b.) A map marking the location of ashes

c.) Record of burial payment

10.) The Memorial Committee shall meet at least once annually.

11.) By these resolutions, duly and unanimously passed by the Administrative Council on June 30, 2003, no cemetery is created, no rights or special privileges are granted to families of those whose ashes are buried, and full right and power is reserved by the Pastor, Wardens, and Vestry to encumber or sell the church grounds or any portion, erect buildings on it or any portion, all without removing interred ashes or providing for continuation of the property as a burial site.