QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT

CATHOLIC CEMETERIES

Why should I be buried in a Catholic Cemetery and not at another cemetery?

Ever since the Sacred Body of our Crucified Savior was reverently laid in the tomb, there to await the hour of its glorious Resurrection, the Church has been most solicitous to surround the burial of those who hope to rise with Christ with an atmosphere of deep Christian faith and profound reverence.  In the Mass and burial prayers, the Church gives voice to her belief in the Christian doctrines of the Resurrection of the Body, the Communion of Saints, and Life Everlasting; but as a further seal and symbol of that faith she sets apart and solemnly blesses the places in which the bodies of her faithful departed await the day of Resurrection.

Why do we need to have a funeral?

It’s important to recognize that funerals are for the living. . . .for those who will suffer the grief and pain of losing a loved one.  We celebrate the deceased’s life not because they have died, but rather because they have lived.  And, we look to the importance of ritual to help us define ourselves as a grieving individual, as a family, and as a society.

It’s my lot. I paid for it. Why can’t I do whatever I want on it?

Most people assume, as you do, that they are purchasing a piece of land.  In fact, you are purchasing Burial Rights for a specific number of interments and paying Perpetual Care which will cover the mowing and trimming of the grass at reasonable intervals for all time. A portion of the money paid is for Burial Rights and a portion goes into a Perpetual Care fund and is governed by Diocesan and State statutes which allow that only the income coming from the fund can be spent to maintain the cemetery. Ownership of the land remains in the name of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland. Some restrictions must be observed to facilitate maintenance of the cemetery grounds.

Can Non-Catholics be buried in a Catholic Cemetery?

Yes. Non-Catholics, even the un-baptized, may be buried in a Catholic Cemetery.

I just remarried outside of the Catholic Church and I didn’t receive an annulment from my first husband. Can I be buried with my parents in a Catholic Cemetery -- and what about my new husband?

Yes. The Catholic Church realizes all of the changes happening in the world today.  Just because you are divorced would not preclude you from being buried in a Catholic cemetery.  Your spouse may also be buried in a family lot for the same reason.

Our family purchased a 12 grave lot for $1200.00 back in the 70’s. There are 4 people buried in this lot.  Lots in the cemetery are now selling for $400.00 per grave space. Can I sell the other 6 grave spaces to my friends for this price?

The answer to this questions is NO you cannot sell these grave spaces due to the fact that the family doesn’t own the land, only Burial Rights to this lot. You can, if you choose, sign over burial rights to these spaces to your family or friends with the approval of the cemetery office.

If I choose to be cremated, can I still be buried in a Catholic Cemetery?

Yes.  Although the Catholic Church still prefers burial of the body, cremated remains can and should be buried or entombed in a Catholic Cemetery.  Canon Law does not allow ashes to be scattered, mixed with other ashes, kept at home, or divided among relatives

When should cremation take place?

The Church strongly prefers that cremation take place after the full funeral liturgy with the body. The presence of the body most clearly brings to mind the life and death of the person and better expresses the values that the church affirms in its rites.

Why can’t cremated remains be scattered at a favorite location of the deceased, kept at home, or distributed among relatives?

Cremated remains should be treated with the same respect given a human body and should be buried or entombed as soon as possible. The scattering of cremated remains on a body of water, on the ground, keeping them in the home, or dividing them among relatives is not the reverent final disposition that the church directs.

Why is shrubbery prohibited on my lot?

The reason for prohibiting shrubbery is twofold.  First, most cemeteries use backhoes to dig the graves today and tractors to remove excess dirt from the sites. More room is required to maneuver this equipment in and around monuments. Second, shrubs always get out of hand and encroach on neighboring lots, and eventually hide the very monument they were meant to adorn.  Even if the shrubs are well maintained by the family, the reality is that eventually there is no family left to continue trimming them.

There are plantings on the lot next to mine and they are invading my lot.  Can I cut or remove these myself, or does the cemetery have to do this?

You shouldn’t take it upon yourself to do this because someone might think that you are vandalizing their lot.  Report the problem to the cemetery and they will try to find that family and have them remove it or, if this cannot be done, the cemetery personnel will remove it for you.

Are burial vaults required by law or are they just another way for the cemetery to make money?

No.  Burial vaults are not required by law.  By the same token, most cemeteries do not make any money from the sale of burial vaults.  All Diocesan cemeteries and most other cemeteries require them for several reasons.   First, without burial vaults the casket and body eventually decay and collapse, leaving a void under ground. The grave slowly settles and becomes unsightly.  In addition, the terrain becomes uneven and difficult to maintain.  Most importantly, however, these graves become a safety hazard. It is not uncommon for a worker to become injured when an old grave suddenly collapses underfoot.  Lastly, these unprotected graves will not support the weight of modern cemetery equipment

The Catholic Cemetery in my town allows 2 cremations per grave space, but my sister lives another town and her Catholic Cemetery allows 3 cremations per grave space.  Why is this?  I should be allowed to have as many cremations as a grave can hold.

First of all, Catholic Cemeteries are all different in that they are all run by different cemetery boards, and these boards decide most of the rules and regulations that a cemetery will abide by.  If your cemetery allows only 2 cremations per grave space and your sister’s is different, this is why.  Also, different people think differently about what looks aesthetically good on a lot.  If we allow too many burials on a particular grave space and they all place a flat marker on this space, what might this look like?

Our Catholic Cemetery is in disrepair. Why doesn’t the Diocese help us out to straighten out the monuments and clean it up?

First, it is necessary to define the responsibilities of the church and the responsibilities of individual families.  Monuments and grave markers are the property of the person or persons who purchased them and their descendants.  The parish or cemetery is in no way responsible for their maintenance. The only exception is if a monument becomes a hazard to the general public and no family can be contacted.  Then the cemetery should take action to remove the hazard.  Second, it is reasonable to expect every Catholic cemetery to be maintained properly with respect to regular and customary mowing and trimming of grass. The level of road maintenance as well as water lines is usually dependent upon funding.  With regard to funding, each parish, and therefore its cemetery, is an entity unto itself with respect to its financial responsibilities.  Each of these parishes is part of a larger entity -- the Diocese -- which provides leadership and guidelines in accordance with Canon law.

Can I bury my pet in a Catholic Cemetery?

No.  Catholic cemeteries are consecrated ground and dedicated to the sanctity of human remains.

My parents left me the deed to the cemetery.  Does that mean that I now own it?

No.  Burial Rights to a lot must be specifically mentioned in the will. Otherwise, the laws of intrastate succession apply.  This mean that Burial Rights to a lot can only be passed on to descendants.  With the approval of Cemetery management, grave spaces may be assigned or reserved, in writing, for a specific person before the burial rights holder passes away.

Why didn’t the cemetery place a flag on my relatives’ grave for Memorial Day?

Placing flags is not the responsibility of any cemetery, even Catholic ones.   This is the responsibility of the City or town that the cemetery boundaries lie in. Usually this is done by a specific Veterans group.

What am I entitled to with Perpetual Care?

The care and maintenance of this program shall be limited to mowing and trimming of lawns, the cleaning and maintenance of roadways, which has been necessitated by natural growth and ordinary wear, provided there are sufficient funds from the income for these purposes.  This does not mean that the cemetery will re-loam and re-seed lots that do not meet a family’s specification.

Why don’t all cemeteries have the same rules and regulations?

As Diocesan cemeteries, we try to have all the same rules and regulations to make it easier for our families.  There are some cemeteries, however, that have specific issues that need to be addressed differently than most, so in these instances the rules and regulations are different.

What is a columbarium?

A common practice is the entombment of the cremated remains in a columbarium. It is an arrangement of niches, either in a mausoleum, a room or wall into which an urn or other worthy vessel is placed for permanent memorial.