St. Joseph Memorial Park plans to offer families with cremated remains a place to memorialize them at no cost.

It plans to once again offer a free inurnment over the Memorial Day Holiday.  On Sunday, May 29 anyone with cremated remains can lay them to rest in the park’s ossuary.  However, individuals need to contact Whispering Pines Cremation Garden at St. Joseph Memorial Park by Friday, May 27th at 816-233-2526 to complete authorizations.

Eric Montegna, General Manager of St. Joseph Memorial Park said the Whispering Pines Ossuary is a community ossuary, in which cremated remains are placed in a single underground chamber through above-ground portals.

“The majority of families do not have a final resting place for their loved one’s cremated remains,” Montegna said. “Psychologists point out that having a final resting place is important for both healing and legacy for future generations. In addition, choosing a safe and sacred place now can relieve the burden on future generations to care and maintain an appropriate place for the remains. “

He said they are trying to make sure everyone has a final resting place.

“Scattering, storing remains in a closet, under a bed or in a basement is not a final resting place and does not provide closure for the family,” Montegna said. “We have been comforting families in the St. Joseph and surrounding communities for five consecutive generations and this is another way we support the healing of those who have experienced a loss regardless of where the cremation was performed.”

The cremated remains will be placed in the ossuary prior to a community farewell service 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 29th at Whispering Pines Cremation Garden at Memorial Park.