If you’re in the process of funeral preplanning or arranging a burial for a loved one, it’s important to consider their faith and final wishes. For those who practiced Catholicism, it’s important to choose a Catholic cemetery that can help to walk you through your options and understand the Church’s wishes and requirements. If you have any preliminary questions about Catholic burials, here’s some information that may be helpful.

A Guide to Catholic Cemetery Burials

Why is it important to bury Catholics in a Catholic cemetery?

In the Catholic faith, death is simply the act of passing from life on earth to eternal life in Heaven. By choosing burial in a Catholic cemetery, you are re-affirming your faith in that everlasting life. It can also serve as a reminder of the importance of faith to loved ones who go to visit deceased family members or friends.

Is cremation permitted within the Catholic faith?

Yes, the Church does permit cremation, though a traditional burial is usually preferred. When possible, it’s also preferable for the cremation to take place after the funeral services so that the body can receive full Catholic blessings. The church also requires that cremated remains be given a final resting place in a burial plot or mausoleum within a Catholic cemetery.

What options are available for a final resting place?

Whether your loved one is to be buried or cremated, you have a few different options for resting places within a Catholic cemetery. A traditional ground burial plot is the most popular and familiar option. However, you may also opt for a mausoleum, which is an indoor, above-ground crypt with individual spaces for casket entombment. For cremated remains, you might also choose a columbarium, which is a smaller space for urn entombment.

What types of headstones & monuments are available?

Your cemetery should offer a variety of options for headstones and traditional grave markers. You can personalize these items with quotes, Bible verses, or sayings that honor your loved one. You may also want to look into benches or other memorials around the cemetery if you’re looking for something extra special.

If you’re looking for a Catholic cemetery for yourself or a loved one, look no further than Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Monroe County, NY. For more than 145 years, this historic cemetery has been providing beautiful and holy final resting places for those of the Catholic faith. Their professionals are available to answer any questions and provide comfort to grieving families throughout the process. You can reach out to the team online or call (585) 458-4110.