Catholic Cemeteries

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It is an ancient tradition of the Catholic Church to reverence the bodies of our dead. This practice exists not only because the body has been a temple of the Holy Spirit, but also as a sign of our belief in the resurrection of Jesus and our hope of resurrection. For these reasons, as your Bishop, I urge you... to adhere to the long-standing practice of burying your dead in a Catholic Cemetery. In these days of increasing disrespect for the human body, and excessive commercialization of cemetery grounds, it is even more important now, than in the past, to bury your dead in a consecrated cemetery. This teaching applies to cremation, which is an acceptable practice in the Catholic Church. When the body is cremated, all ashes are to be placed in a container or urn and are not to be divided. Ashes are not to be kept for personal use, such as placing some of the ashes in pieces of jewellery or kept at home in various places. The Catholic Church directs that in keeping with a spirit of reverence, that the undivided cremated remains should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or placed in a columbarium within a Catholic Cemetery. Through this permanent placement, the bereaved and the Church Community have a place to focus remembrance and prayer for the deceased. In todays changing world with its uncertainty, the Catholic Cemeteries will welcome and serve you and your family whether you use a family owned, privately owned, or corporately owned funeral home. Remember to state your preference for a Catholic Cemetery when planning funeral services. I wholeheartedly support and encourage you to consider seriously the purchase of your burial site in a Catholic Cemetery.Read More