Consecration of the Cathedral Memorial Garden & All Saints’ Pedestrian Pathway

CONSECRATION: SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 10:15 A.M., on the front lawn

At its meeting on July 22, 2025, the Vestry of Saint Mark’s Cathedral Parish set apart a portion of the cathedral’s south churchyard to become the Cathedral Memorial Garden. This long-awaited development now provides a way for ashes to be placed directly into the ground and for that ground to be consecrated for this purpose in perpetuity.

The Memorial Garden is centered on the beautiful Deodara Cedar near the picnic table and All Saints’ Pedestrian Pathway. That cedar tree was planted 75 years ago in memory of Bishop Arthur Huston and serves as a fitting cornerstone for the ashes of our beloved ones to be interred there. Two memorial benches, similar to those around the labyrinth, will be placed on the south lawn adjacent to the Memorial Garden and orienting to it.

The Vestry adopted a Policy for Burial in the Memorial Garden, and there is also a procedure for transferring ashes from the Chapel of the Resurrection to the Memorial Garden, should families desire that. The Vestry also approved the creation of a separate small garden area for the placement of ashes of animal companions. To learn more, speak with Dean Thomason or one of the cathedral clergy.

A brief rite consecrating the Memorial Garden and the All Saints’ Pedestrian Pathway will occur Sunday, August 24, at 10:15 a.m., with light refreshments to follow. All are invited to attend.