Since 1841, there have been more than 18,000 burials in the beautiful grounds of the Lowell Cemetery. Over the years, attitudes about death and memorialization have evolved. Across ethnic, cultural, and religious traditions, there is an increasing preference for cremation, which is less expensive and more ecologically sensitive.
What is a Cremation Niche?
A cremation niche is an above-ground burial space in the form of a compartment that is designed to hold an urn containing a person’s cremains.
What is a Columbarium?
A columbarium is a large structure containing multiple niches designed to hold individual cremains.
Lowell Cemetery provides columbarium and cremation niches, offering a peaceful and enduring way to honor and remember your loved ones.
The Lowell Cemetery’s Oliver Whipple M. Columbarium and Garden of Remembrance
Dedicated in 2015, the Oliver M. Whipple Columbarium and Garden of Remembrance covers a half-acre of land and offers an alternative to an inground traditional burial plot. Three curved-granite walls provide locations for single/double or family niches for cremains. Steps from one level of the Whipple Columbarium leads to an open-air pavilion where services are held.
At the end of one wall, a wide spout pours water onto a large stone. The water level is never more than a couple of inches and its light sound creates a natural "white noise" that drowns out distracting sounds, allowing a visitor’s mind to relax.
Veterans Area
The Lowell Cemetery has a long history of honoring those who have served in the United States armed services. In keeping with this tradition, names and service information of those inurned in the Columbarium are inscribed in granite in front of the flagpole.
Honoring Your Loved Ones in the Whipple Columbarium
- Join a community of remembrance in the historic Lowell Cemetery columbarium. These thoughtfully designed niches provide an affordable way to ensure your loved one’s memory is preserved in one of our area's most historical and respected resting places.
- Secure a lasting place of remembrance. With niches starting at $2,500, families can honor their loved ones in a serene, maintained setting without the costs of a traditional inground burial.
- Choose simplicity without sacrificing dignity. The Whipple Columbarium niches offer a peaceful resting place in the heart of the Lowell Cemetery, providing families with an elegant, low-maintenance option for honoring the deceased in a beautiful setting without the burden of upkeep.
Learn More About the Columbarium at Lowell Cemetery
Discover the peaceful and lasting options available at Lowell Cemetery for honoring your loved ones. You may choose:
- One of the three wall locations
- Single/double or family niches
- Variable pricing options
- Optional inground cremation spaces
For pricing information, to schedule a tour or to learn about the benefits of planning ahead, please contact us at 978-454-5191, or [email protected]
If you would like to download our Oliver M. Whipple Columbarium & Garden of Remembrance informational brochure for printing and distribution, you can view and save a PDF file from the following link.
Pricing
Lowell Cemetery pricing for urn niches and in-ground cremation spaces:
- Single Urn Niche $2,500 - $3,000
- Double Urn Niche $3,000 - $3,600
- Family Niches (3 urns) $5,000 - $6,000
- Family Niches (4 - 6 urns) $10,000 - $12,000
- In-Ground Cremation Spaces $10,000 - $12,000
Engraving Fees
Includes Name, Birth Year, and Death Year
- One Full Name Engraving $300
- Two Full Names $450
- Year of Death Only $100
- Veterans’ Plaque Engraving (Includes Name and Service Affiliation) $200
Sale price includes one opening per designated urn (single, double etc.), perpetual care, and one use of pavilion per urn placement. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Additional Information
The Oliver M. Whipple Columbarium and Garden of Remembrance were designed and built by Walsh Engineering Associates, Inc.
View an article about our columbarium found in the February 2016 issue of ICCFA Magazine.
Contact Us
For more information on cremation niches and pricing, please contact us at 978-454-5191, email [email protected], or click the contact us button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to our most frequently asked questions about cremation niches at Lowell Cemetery.
Across many ethnic, cultural, and religious groups, cremation has grown in preference because it is generally more affordable, requires less land use, and is considered more environmentally sensitive than traditional burial.
A cremation niche is an above-ground compartment designed to hold an urn containing a loved one’s cremated remains (cremains).
A columbarium is a large, multi-niche structure that holds individual urns. At Lowell Cemetery, families may choose single, double, or family-sized niches depending on their needs.
Yes. The Lowell Cemetery provides the O.M. Whipple Pavillion and the Talbot Chapel for inurnment ceremonies, blessings, or small family gatherings.
Absolutely. Many families choose to preplan to secure preferred locations and lock in current pricing. Learn more about pre-need burial arrangements at Lowell Cemetery.
Cremation niches offer a practical, flexible, and cost-effective alternative to traditional burial plots, making them an increasingly popular choice for families.
- Cost-Effective - Cremation niches are generally less expensive than full burial lots, reducing costs for land, caskets, and maintenance. They provide a practical option for families on a budget.
- Space-Saving & Efficient - Niches require far less land than traditional graves. A single columbarium wall can hold many urns in the space of just a few burial plots.
- Lower Maintenance - Unlike traditional graves, niches are low-maintenance. Cemetery staff care for the columbarium and surrounding grounds, so families don’t have to.
- Environmentally Friendly - Cremation niches are a more eco-conscious choice, using less land and fewer materials than traditional burials.
Flexibility - Niches come in single, companion, or family sizes, making it easy to plan for one loved one or multiple family members in the same location.