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July 20, 2020
Parks & Rec Mayor’s Office City Desk

City's Ossuarium Provides Options For Families, Cremated Remains

The Ossuarium located at the Mt. View/Mt. Calvary Cemeteries. The Ossuarium located at the Mt. View/Mt. Calvary Cemeteries. (City Photo/Darrell Shoemaker)

RAPID CITY, SD--Visitors to the Mt. View-Mt. Calvary Cemeteries in Rapid City may see a stone pillar-like structure emerging from the grounds on the western edge of the cemetery campus.

            Constructed last year, the Niche-Ely Ossuarium provides a final resting place for cremated remains and a low-cost alternative for families to traditional burials.

            The octagon-shaped Ossuarium stands 8.3 feet high with a 6.5 feet diameter.  The Mahogany Granite structure contains space for 563 urns - 144 niches that can each hold up to two urns, and an Ossuary that can host 275 urns. The area includes a handicapped-accessible sidewalk leading to a viewing area and a recently-completed bench wall.

            The Mahogany Granite comes from Milbank, SD.

            Each of the 144 niche stones can be personalized with the names of the individual or couple, dates of birth and death, a brief sentiment and a symbol.  The ossuary contains a memorial band that can list the names and birth and death dates of the deceased individuals.

            A flat greenway area extends to the north allowing for future expansion of additional Niche-Ely Ossuariums based on need.  In a few years, recently-planted trees will provide shade and comfort to visitors.

            "The Ossuarium gives the public an alternative to traditional ground burials," said City Cemetery Supervisor Craig Nichols.  "Given the costs of a memorial plus the space and opening/closing costs, it can be a less-expensive alternative.

            "Some people don't want to be buried in the ground. They also want a less-costly alternative that provides a convenient resting place and is also available for family and friends to visit.  For the cemetery, above-ground burials can save us a lot of space."

            Currently, the City has sold 24 niches and five ossuary spaces.  For more information, contact staff at Mt. View-Mt. Calvary Cemeteries at 394-4189.

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Thank you,

Darrell W. Shoemaker | Communications Coordinator

T: 605.721.6686 | M: 605.939.8551

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W: www.rcgov.org

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