Hillsborough Reformed Church Cemetery & Scatter Garden

Scatter Garden

A Place of Remembrance, Prayer, and Hope

The Scatter Garden provides a sacred and peaceful setting for members of our church community and their immediate family members to lay loved ones' cremated remains to rest. It is a place to grieve, remember, give thanks for life, and find comfort in the promises of the gospel. We give thanks to God for this ministry and for the generosity, creativity, and care that made the garden possible. The Scatter Garden was dedicated on Homecoming Sunday, September 13, 2026, marking the renewal of our historic cemetery ministry.

Using the Scatter Garden

At this time, use of the Scatter Garden is limited to members of the church and their immediate family members.

All scatterings must be approved and scheduled through the church office. Families must obtain and sign the Scatter Garden Agreement before a scattering can take place. Services may be private family gatherings or may be led by Pastor Jeff or another clergy person with appropriate approval. A representative of Hillsborough Reformed Church will be present during each service. The garden is open daily from dawn until dusk for prayer, reflection, and meditation, but scheduled scattering services will take precedence over general visitation.

About the Agreement

The church office will provide the agreement, and help families understand the arrangements.

Among other things, the agreement establishes that:

  • The fee for using the Scatter Garden is $300.
  • Only human cremated remains may be scattered, and ashes scattered in the garden are considered non-retrievable.
  • The garden and cemetery are historic grounds. Families are responsible for supervising those attending their service and for taking care not to damage grave markers, monuments, plantings, or other cemetery property.
  • Permanent urns, individual markers, plaques, memorial stones, and other site-specific memorials are not permitted.
  • Families may place cut flowers or small mementos during a service, but items left in the garden will be removed during routine maintenance.
  • The garden's plantings, rocks, and other features may not be altered.

The church retains authority over the use, maintenance, and administration of the Scatter Garden. The full agreement is available through the church office.

Office Email: hrcsecretary@comcast.net
Office Phone: 908-359-3391

Memorial Record

The church maintains a record of the individuals whose ashes have been scattered in the garden. Their names are preserved in a memorial book located in the church narthex; in the church office records; and on this website.