Cremation Inventory Options
Greetings and welcome! I hope this brochure fi nds you well and in good spirit!
As a 42 year veteran in the fi eld of architecture and design, I am glad to be actively involved with the fi eld I love. Mekus Tanager was founded in 1984, and our fi rst project was for a cemetery, and we’ve been actively involved with the design and planning of cemeteries and funeral homes ever since.
Cremation is a major part of the cemetery and funeral industry, and has been increasing at a rapid rate each year. Some attribute this rise to the baby-boomer generation, who as they increase in age are demanding more burial opportunities for themselves and their loved ones.
At Mekus Tanager, a consistent part of our cemetery and funeral home design has included special considerations for cremation. For example, Mekus Tanager specifi cally designed niche sections on a separate level in the garden crypt complex for Holy Sepulchre Cemetery to allow for expanded cremation burial opportunities. As part of the project team for the new Miramar National Cemetery, Mekus Tanager developed numerous columbariums of various sizes to be incorporated throughout the cemetery, allowing veterans expanded burial options.
In the following brochure, I have outlined two general categories of cremation inventory; contemporary cremation options and more traditional cremation options. If you have any questions as to how we can help add cremation inventory to any of your cemeteries, please do not hesitate to call me.
Sincerely,
Christopher MekusPrincipal-in-Charge312.644.2654
Christopher MekusPrincipal-in-Charge312 644 2654
CChristopher MMMekus
Mekus Tanager, Inc.445 East Illinois StreetSuite 333Chicago, IL 60611
p. 312.661.0778f. 312.661.0980www.mekustanager.com
CONTACT INFORMATION
PRINCIPAL’S CONTACT INFORMATION
Christopher Mekus, AIA
Managing Principalp. 312.644.2654e. [email protected]
Kenneth E. Giere, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Project Managerp. 312.644.2653e. [email protected]
Paul Herdzina
Project Managerp. 312.644.2799e. [email protected]
FIRM OVERVIEW
CLIENT SATISFACTION
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
EFFECTIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
CONTEMPORARY CREMATION OPTIONS
TRADITIONAL CREMATION OPTIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Founded in 1984 with a project for the Archdiocese of Chicago, Mekus Tanager, Inc has been an industry leader in master planning, cemetery, and funeral home design for the past 30 years. Mekus Tanager offers a full range of architectural, planning, and interior design services for any project related to the religious, cemetery, and funeral industry. Our accomplished staff has completed a wide variety of projects including:
- Cemetery Master Planning - Administrative Complexes -Chapel Complexes - Funeral Homes - Maintenance Facilities - Garden Crypt Complexes - Mausoleums - Private Mausoleums - Committal Shelters - Cremation Niches / Columbariums - Cremation Gardens - Niche Walls - Shrines
FIRM OVERVIEW
Holy Sepulcher CemeteryOrange, CA
Resurrection CemeteryJustice, IL
Montelena Complejo FunerrarioEl Salvador
CLIENT SATISFACTION IS PARAMOUNT
The success of any project hinges on one thing: client satisfaction. At Mekus Tanager we work with our clients as a partner throughout the entire project process, and we strive to reflect each client’s unique culture, aspirations, and project objectives into our design solutions.
At the beginning of any project, we listen to your overall vision, project goals, and specific project requirements, and then we use our architecture/design skills and extensive experience to create project solutions that reflect your goals. Through a continuous process of your feedback and Mekus Tanager adjusting the design, we help you make informed decisions and selections that will result in a completed project that satisfies your needs.
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Hillside Memorial Park & MortuaryCulver City, CA
Maryhill CemeteryNiles, IL
Mound CemeteryRacine, WI
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
Mekus Tanager provides a full range of professional services to serve the cemetery and funeral industry. We partner with other consultants to provide all services that may be required to produce a fi nal product. These services include:
Architectural Restoration
Restoring outdated and historical buildings to their original condition. If the client desires, Mekus Tanager can elegantly incorporate new elements and systems into existing structures.
Program Development
Gathering and compiling the client’s aspirations, goals, and requirements for the property, both as a whole or as related to specifi c projects.
Project Feasibility Studies
Investigating the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing various architectural planning and design projects, suited to the client’s needs and available resources.
Site Analysis
Investigating and analyzing various sites to determine feasibility for development.
Master Plan Development
Mapping the overall strategy of the project for a logical and realistic implementation plan.
Architectural Design
Development of the aesthetic character of the building or structure.
Contract Documentation
Preparation of all drawings and specifi cations necessary for the development, bid and construction of a project.
Bidding/Negotiations
Assisting the client in obtaining bids and/or negotiated proposals for the services of a General Contractor and subcontractors for construction of a project.
Contract Administration
Providing observation of construction activities and review of subcontractors’ drawings to ensure conformance to the document intent.
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Holy Reedemer CemeteryPhoenix, AZ
All Saints CemeteryDes Plaines, IL
At Mekus Tanager we specialize in building projects that fully satisfy our clients. To guarantee client satisfaction, our principals select a highly experienced project manager with relevant expertise to coordinate the project-process from start to finish. Our project manager then selects project team members based on their relevant experience, in order to most effectively guarantee a successful project.
Our project managers are also responsible for:
-Continuously assessing the client’s goals and requirements by maintaining constant communication.
-Coordinating all phases of the design process, verifying that the project design reflects the client’s goals and requirements.
-In conjunction with the client, selecting and coordinating contractors, vendors, and consultants.
-Keeping within the project schedule and budget.
-Adhering to all applicable codes and regulations
-Coordinating with the General Contractor during the construction process
- Ensuring that the client is completely satisfied with all aspects of the project process, and ultimately the completed project.
EFFECTIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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Importance of Sustainable Design
The idea behind sustainable design is not only to create environmentally friendly spaces, but healthier, more productive environments and opportunities to learn from these places. The built environment should both represent and propagate the community’s respect for the environment and themselves. Also, using green building techniques is not only good for the environment, but it also helps reduce energy costs, real-estate costs, and improves the occupant’s image.
Our Contribution
Mekus Tanager has been practicing sustainable design for over 28 years, and is a member of the US Green Building Council. Since our very inception, we have worked to develop strategies for the design of long lasting buildings and interiors, and with each project we take great care in implementing sustainable design solutions while meeting our client’s budget.
Mekus Tanager recently completed All Saints Chapels and Administration Complex for the Archdiocese of Chicago, which was certifi ed LEED-NC Gold. Cemetery buildings designed by Mekus Tanager for the U.S. Veterans Administration are designed to LEED Silver guidelines as well.
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
All Saints Chapels and Administration ComplexDes Plaines, ILLEED-NC GOLD
All Saints Chapels and Administration ComplexDes Plaines, ILLEED-NC GOLD
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Contemporary Cremation Options
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Cremation Estates & Semi-Private Estates
Cremation Estates and Memorials are interspersed along pathways at Windridge Memorial Park in Cary, IL
Private Estates
Cremation Estates
Cremation Memorials
Semi-Private Estates
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Cremation estates are interspersed along wooded pathways at Windridge Memorial Park in Cary, IL
Semi-Private Estates run along a nature walk and pond at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Winona, MN
Private Estates
Semi-Private Estates
Pond
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Cremation Estates & Semi-Private Estates
Semi-Private Estates for both full-body and cremain burial at St. Mary Mausoleum Complex in Pittsburgh, PA
Page 15Cremation estates and Columbarium Walls at St. Mary Mausoleum Complex in Pittsburgh, PA
Tiered gardens and columbarium walls allow for cremain burial at St. Mary Mausoleum Complex in Pittsburgh, PA
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Cremation Memorials
Cremation memorials and garden at Mt. Sinai Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ
Above-Ground Cremation Memorial
Cremation Boulder
Niche Units
Traditional Full-Body Burial
Cremation Memorial Bench
Stone Walkway
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Bench, boulder, and tumble stone cremation memorials surround a committal shelter trellis.
Water features can be surrounded with cremation memorials such as boulders, benches, and tumble stones.
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Green Burial & Naturalistic Estates
Cremation estates and memorials are interspersed along wooded pathways at Willow Lawn Cemetery in Vernon Hills, IL
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Cremation estates and memorials are interspersed along a nature walk and stream at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Winona, MN
Due to the unique terrain of the cemetery, St. Mary’s Cemetery in Winona , MN decided to dedicate all the wooded areas on the hills for natural, “green” burial options including cremation plots.
Stream Semi-Private Estates
Nature Walk
Cremation Memorials Garden
Private Estates
Green Burial AreaGarden Crypt Complex & Shrine Feature
Columbarium Wall & Units
Traditional Burial Sections
Traditional Cremation Options
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Mausoleums & Garden Crypt Complexes
At the Immaculate Heart of Mary Garden Crypt Complex at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, IL, traditional full body crypts are integrated with cremation niches, including popular mosaic niches.
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At the Mausoleum of the Archangels Extension in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, IL, traditional crypts are on one level (left) and cremation niches are on another level (right). This provides a human scale for the
cremation section.
A closer view of the cremation niches level at the Mausoleum of the Archangels Extension in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, IL
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Mausoleums & Garden Crypt Complexes
Mosaic niche fronts add appeal to the garden crypt complex at Good Shepherd Cemetery in Orland Park, IL
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Mosaic niche fronts at Mary Mother of Roses Garden Crypt Complex at Maryhill Cemetery in Niles, IL
A traditional cremation niche building at St. Joseph Cemetery in River Grove, IL
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Columbarium Walls, Units, & Complexes
A Columbarium Complex at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, CA
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A Columbarium Complex at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, CA
A Columbarium Complex at Rock Island National Cemetery in Rock Island, IL
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Columbarium Walls, Units, & Complexes
A Columbarium Wall at The Village Presbyterian Church in Northbrook, IL
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Columbarium Units at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine, IL
A Columbarium Wall at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine, IL
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Cremation Inventory added to Existing Buildings
Custom designed Columbarium Units by Mekus Tanager were added to increase cremation inventory and blend naturally the existing interior of a mausoleum at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, IL
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Columbarium Units were added to match the existing crypt buildings at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Evergreen Park, IL
Columbarium Units were added to existing crypt buildings at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, IL
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Cremation Inventory added to Existing Buildings
A former Church that was no longer in use, the interior was converted to become a mausoleum holding both crypts and columbarium units at St. Mary Mausoleum Complex in Pittsburgh, PA
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Columbarium Walls were added to the existing crypt buildings and in front of them as well at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Evergreen Park, IL
A former Church that was no longer in use, the interior was converted to become a mausoleum holding both crypts and columbarium units at St. Mary Mausoleum Complex in Pittsburgh, PA
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