Columbarium Interment and Eligibility
The word "columbarium" comes from "columba," a Latin word meaning "dovecote," a shelter for pigeons that has separate compartments. The modern use of the word columbarium refers to a place for housing the ashes of the deceased. It is an old term and an old tradition used for centuries here and abroad. Virginia Tech’s Columbarium, like other such structures, is restricted to that traditional use - the interment of cremated human remains.
The Virginia Tech Columbarium, built and managed by the Alumni Association, is located in view of the Duck Pond just beyond the terrace of the Holtzman Alumni Center. The structures each have 60 individual niches that can accommodate up to two urns each. Each niche has a maroon granite cover, which can be engraved much like a traditional gravestone, with individual names, class year, and birth and death years. The site is ADA accessible and able to seat a small number for an interment service. The site is available for visits at all times.
Niches can be purchased and reserved at any time as needed and the purchase of a Columbarium niche entitles the licensee to perpetual use. The Virginia Tech Alumni Association will retain property rights and assumes the responsibility of perpetual care of the Columbarium and the surrounding grounds. At the appropriate time, names with pertinent dates will be engraved on the niche cover. Niches are available on a first-come, first served basis.
In order to purchase a Columbarium niche, one must complete and return the demographic record form and two signed copies of the columbarium license agreement along with payment, to Jay Whitlow, Building Manager. (Virginia Tech Alumni Association, 901 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg VA 24061) Please contact Jay with any questions at 540-231-2141 or .
In order to inter ashes in a niche, a request must be made to the Virginia Tech Alumni Association 540/231-6285. The Alumni Association will schedule and oversee the removal of the granite front panel and the opening and closing of an individual niche. Individuals must supply urn(s); each niche is 11”x11”x11”. Cover engraving is included in the price of the niche. Name, class year (for alumni) and birth/death years are the standard inscription for the engraved granite cover. The lettering will be painted gold to assist readability. Engraving is provided by the university and may take up to 4 weeks to complete; a blank granite cover will be in place while engraving is completed.
The following shall be eligible to procure niches in the Columbarium at the Virginia Tech Alumni Association
1. Virginia Tech alumni
2. Virginia Tech faculty and staff
3. Current Virginia Tech students
4. Friends of the university, family, and local community members
If the Licensee elects not to utilize the niche in accordance with the agreement, the Virginia Tech Alumni Association will make reasonable efforts to license the niche to another eligible licensee, and upon doing so, return the license fee, in the amount originally paid, to the Licensee or Licensee's executors or beneficiaries of the estate.
Available niches:
Columbarium 1
R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / RR / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R
R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R
R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / 47 / R
R / R / R / 52 / R / R / 55 / R / 57 / R / 59 / R
Columbarium 2
R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / 11 / RR / R / 15 / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R
R / R / 27 / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R / R
37 / 38 / 39 / 40 / 41 / R / R / R / 45 / 46 / 47 / R
49 / 50 / 51 / 52 / 53 / 54 / 55 / 56 / 57 / 58 / 59 / R
R=Reserved
Virginia Tech Columbarium Niche License Agreement
This agreement is made between:
______(Licensee) and
______for the Virginia Tech Alumni Association
(Matthew M. Winston, Jr, Senior Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations)
For columbarium number ______,niche number ______
In conformance with the terms of eligibility for procuring a niche and in consideration of $5,000 paid by ______(Licensee), the Virginia Tech Alumni Association hereby grants to Licensee a license coupled with an interest in a niche in the Columbarium at the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. This niche may be used to inter the ashes of up to two individuals, whose names and years of birth and death may be inscribed on the granite front panel in the existing fashion pre-determined by the Virginia Tech Alumni Association. The Virginia Tech Alumni Association will make a reasonable effort to maintain the Columbarium in perpetuity, as well as the surrounding grounds.
This license is not transferable by the Licensee to others without consent of both parties. In the event the niche is not utilized within 100 years, the license shall expire.
______
(Licensee) (Date) (Phone)
______540/231-6285______
Virginia Tech Alumni Association (Date) (Phone)
*PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN TWO COPIES OF THIS AGREMENT
Demographic Record
Date:______
Virginia Tech Columbarium Record for Columbarium #______Niche#:______
Name of License holder:______
Address: ______
______
Telephone #:______
Email: ______
Birthdate: ______Spouse’s Birthdate:______
University title, school affiliation or eligibility criteria
(e.g., faculty, administration, etc.): ______
Name of spouse/partner:______
Person to contact (other than above): ______
Address: ______
Relationship to Licensee: ______
Telephone #:______
Names of immediate family: ______
Names and class years desired for engraving: *to be confirmed at time of interment
Name and Class year #1______
Birth year ______
Spouse’s Name and class year #2______
Birth year ______