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The Slayton North Cemetery is home to the only columbarium in Murray County. Located just north of Slayton, across from the golf course on highway 59, the North Cemetery stretches from the highway back to a creek at the edge of the property. Towards the back of the cemetery, cremated remains are housed in an aboveground granite structure called a columbarium.
“It’s a beautiful structure to be buried in,” said Merry Hollis, the recently elected president of the North Cemetery board.
The hexagon-shaped structure was built by Wilbert Me- by-one-foot square. “A plate comes off the niche to open it up, the urn goes in and it is sealed shut. The glass piece is put back on and an engraver comes to add names and dates,” said Hollis, of Slayton.
Prior to the columbarium, a vault had to be purchased and cremated remains were buried underground at the North Cemetery. The cemetery board of eight were discussing cremation options and then board president Bob Erickson explained how a columbarium could benefit the cemetery. The board members visited a columbarium in Volga, SoDak. to view one and decided to pursue the idea.
“We were impressed. It is well marked, very clean and an easy adjustment to put urns in there and get it all taken care of. It is not as expensive as a traditional burial,” said Hollis. “You don’t have to worry about caskets sinking or headstones falling over or headstone being buried in grass.”
While the North Cemetery has plots available for traditional burials, Hollis wants community members to understand that there is an alternative option with the columbarium.
“A square on the top level of niches is $1,800, the second level is $1,550 and the bottom level is $1,300. There is an extra fee to open and close it and for engraving,” said Hollis. “It’s several thousand dollars more to be buried in the ground.”
According to Hollis, individuals do not need to be associated with a church to be buried at the North Cemetery. The cemetery serves as the final resting place for many World War I veterans, babies and prominent Slayton families.
To reserve a niche in the columbarium or a burial plot at the North Cemetery, interested individuals should reach out to Hollis or Todd Hieronimus at the Totzke Funeral Home.
“We will meet with the family, complete paperwork which includes the deed and when the need comes, then they can contact the funeral home and let them know that they have a deed,” said Hollis. “Whether a family person has passed away or they are pre-planning, it’s a great way to go.”
