ISHPEMING — The city of Ishpeming will be installing by crane, two, 48-niche columbaria into the St. Joseph Cemetery. The units weigh approximately 16,000 pounds each and are being trucked in from Canada where the granite is quarried and processed.

Menominee Granite Company is handling the ordering and installation of the units. The installation is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today at 1889 Prairie Ave., Ishpeming.

This will be units number 5 and 6 at this cemetery. The columbaria have been named Eternal Peace and Hope with custom sandblasting design and lettering.

As background information, it is projected that 63.4% will be the 2025 cremation rate, according to NFDA’s 2025 Cremation & Burial Report. The burial rate is projected at 31.6%. By 2045, cremation is expected to reach 82.3%.