Cemetery
The service on the occasion of death ordinarily should be held in the usual place of worship in order to join this service to the community’s continuing life and witness to the resurrection. The service shall be under the direction of the pastor. Others may be invited to participate as leaders in the service at the discretion of the pastor. -- From the Directory For Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) If you have experienced the death of a loved one, please call the church office at the time of death, and the pastors and staff will guide you through the funeral planning process. The pastors along with the director of music will also walk you through the form and order of the service.
As you consider burial or cremation, please keep in mind that Red Clay has a beautiful memory garden in addition to its historic cemetery. The Red Clay Creek Church Cemetery is located next to the church along McKennans Church Road. The cemetery has existed since before the American Revolution with its earliest known gravestone dating back to 1766. Many of the graves are now cataloged and searchable at FindaGrave.com. The cemetery is administered and maintained by the Cemetery Company, which was incorporated in 1865. Since its original incorporation the cemetery has added land through purchases or gifts on five occasions. The cemetery now comprises approximately 12 acres. In 1920, by-laws were written and officers elected so that a fund for perpetual care of the grounds could be established. A new area was constructed in 2006 for the burial of cremated remains. Church members interested in the purchase of lots should review the documentation provided by clicking the button and/or contact Dave Rada at
Memory Garden
The concept of a memory garden arose in 1986, after several Red Clay families suffered the loss of a loved one and sought an alternative to traditional burial. On May 13, 1990, Red Clay dedicated the Memory Garden as a place where members could honor their loved ones. By its 20th Anniversary in 2010, over 100 loved ones had been interred or memorialized within the peaceful surroundings of the Memory Garden.
Purpose
The purpose of the Memory Garden is to provide Red Clay members and their immediate families: A place of beauty for all to enjoy, through quiet relaxation, meditation, and peaceful reflection on loved ones. A suitable location on church grounds for the placement of cremated remains or for a memorial service for loved ones. A raised plaque on which to display the loved one’s name, as well as the birth and death dates (interred) or years (memorialized), on an individual plate.
Process
Upon the death of a member’s loved one, a Red Clay Pastor will notify the Memory Garden Chair. The Chair will contact the family, order the memorial plate, and make the appropriate arrangements for the placement of any remains. Once Red Clay approves a member’s request for the interment of a loved one or for a remembrance ceremony, one of the Pastors will assist the member in making memorial service plans. Ashes may be scattered in various locations including the garden and others at the discretion of the pastor and/or the family. Crematory urns or permanent vessels of any type shall not be interred in the Garden.
Memory Garden Committee (2022)
Marcia Kelly, Chairperson
Sue Conway, Secretary/Treasurer
Margie Schuyler
Dave Howarth
Please contact the church office or one of the committee members if you have additional questions or would like to join this committee.
At this time, our Session has taken the action to suspend receipt of Memory Garden applications.