Genesis 2:7 – “Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life… and to dust we shall return.”

Through its Memorial Garden, First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor offers a means of proclaiming our faith and serving those in need. A committee was formed in 1979 to establish a garden to be located on the south side of the building. Formal consecration was Nov. 8, 1981.

The process for interment prescribes that each person’s ashes will be buried directly in the soil in a separate, undesignated location within the walls of the garden. At the time of interment, a short prayer service will be conducted by a minister and witnessed by a member of the Memorial Garden Committee. Family members and friends are welcome to be present at this ceremony. Interments are generally scheduled from April through October but can be conducted during the rest of the year as the weather permits. Names of the interred are inscribed on the Garden Wall. The number of interments is now close to 400.

Take a virtual tour of the garden