Durham Cemetery Seeks Designer for New Columbarium

City officials want to build a new structure in Beechwood Cemetery for the internment of urns containing the remains of cremated loved ones.

The structure, known as a columbarium, is comprised of niches for urn storage. The city is accepting bids for the project until Aug. 23. The general services department estimated an approximate construction budget of $150,000.

The columbarium is expected to have at least 65 niches. Each will have an inner security door and a granite exterior door. Site work would begin in late fall 2024.

Work scope would include:

• Pre-planning, schedule, and budget review.
• Site preparation, including design of the columbarium.
• Development and refinement of cost estimates and project schedules.
• Construction administration.
• Project closeout.

A pre-submittal meeting is planned for 9 a.m. on Aug. 12 at the cemetery at 3300 Fayetteville St. It’s at the corner of Fayetteville and Cornwallis Road, northwest of Hillside High School.

The 25-acre cemetery is the burial site for some of the Durham community’s notable African-American business and community leaders, including Dr. James E. Shepard (founder of the National Religious Training School, which ultimately would become North Carolina Central University) and John Merrick (founder of North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company).

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