Burial place

[WindowsLM]

I have a question. I am in the process of becoming Catholic. My family is protestant, and I already have a lot that has been purchased by my mother in a cemetery. I do not know much about cemetery’s, if each church has one, etc. I am curious if there is a “Catholic cemetery” or does it matter where you are buried as long as you lived your life as Catholic?

Forgive me if these questions seem naive.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I have a question. I am in the process of becoming Catholic. My family is protestant, and I already have a lot that has been purchased by my mother in a cemetery. I do not know much about cemetery’s, if each church has one, etc. I am curious if there is a “Catholic cemetery” or does it matter where you are buried as long as you lived your life as Catholic?

Forgive me if these questions seem naive.

There are Catholic cemeteries, usually owned by the diocese. There are also “Catholic” sections of other cemeteries. My parents for example are buried in a local Christian/Bible cemetery simply because there were at that time no Catholic cemeteries around, or even “Catholic” sections around. There are now 13 years later! Anyway the local parishes do have “columbariums” for the interment of ashes. As in my case the funeral took place where they died with the bodies in the church and then they were cremated. The ashes were transported here where a memorial Mass was said with the ashes present, we then went over to the cenetery, and the crypt was blessed and then the ashes were placed in it with the proper prayers before being closed and sealed. In the case where a Catholic is being buried in a cemetery that is say a public cemetery. The individual grave can be blessed and the proper grave side service celebrated.

 

[WindowsLM]

There are Catholic cemeteries, usually owned by the diocese. There are also “Catholic” sections of other cemeteries. My parents for example are buried in a local Christian/Bible cemetery simply because there were at that time no Catholic cemeteries around, or even “Catholic” sections around. There are now 13 years later! Anyway the local parishes do have “columbariums” for the interment of ashes. As in my case the funeral took place where they died with the bodies in the church and then they were cremated. The ashes were transported here where a memorial Mass was said with the ashes present, we then went over to the cenetery, and the crypt was blessed and then the ashes were placed in it with the proper prayers before being closed and sealed. In the case where a Catholic is being buried in a cemetery that is say a public cemetery. The individual grave can be blessed and the proper grave side service celebrated.

Thank you so much for your reply.

 

[zab]

Here are some quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2300 The bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity, in faith and hope of the Resurrection. The burial of the dead is a corporal work of mercy;92 it honors the children of God, who are temples of the Holy Spirit.

2301 Autopsies can be morally permitted for legal inquests or scientific research. The free gift of organs after death is legitimate and can be meritorious.

The Church permits cremation, provided that it does not demonstrate a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body.93

Some parishes have their own Catholic cemeteries. Our parish does not own cemetery property. Our local public cemeteries have a designated Catholic area that we use. To my knowledge, there is nothing forbidding a Catholic from being buried in places other than Catholic cemeteries (or among other Catholics in the public cemetery). The important thing is that the body is treated with respect

 

[SMHW]

As has been mentioned, there are Catholic cemeteries and there are Catholic sections in some other cemeteries. It is customary for a Catholic to be buried in blessed ground. A Catholic cemetery or Catholic section will most definitely be “blessed ground”.

But plenty of Catholics are buried in other cemeteries. As has been mentioned, the specific grave site can be blessed assuming there is someone available to do so.

 

[WindowsLM]

Thanks for helpful replies.

 

[puzzleannie]

I have a question. I am in the process of becoming Catholic. My family is protestant, and I already have a lot that has been purchased by my mother in a cemetery. I do not know much about cemetery’s, if each church has one, etc. I am curious if there is a “Catholic cemetery” or does it matter where you are buried as long as you lived your life as Catholic?

Forgive me if these questions seem naive.

you may be buried in any cemetary or ground or (what is the name of the place where cremated remains are reposed), as the place will be blessed during the rite of reposition.

 

[lizaanne]

My grandparents gave me years ago, two plots in a public cemetery that they purchased many years ago and had since decided they would not end up using - they wanted to be buried elsewhere. They are in the military section of a very expensive cemetery, not in the Catholic section as they were not Catholic. I wish to be buried in the Catholic cemetery where the Catholic side of my family, for generations, is buried. So, when my grandmother passes (grandpa died many years ago) I plan to sell the plots they gave me and buy spots in the Catholic cemetery. Out of respect to them and the gift they gave, I will not sell them until after she passes on.

~Liza

 

[IrishAm]

My grandparents gave me years ago, two plots in a public cemetery that they purchased many years ago and had since decided they would not end up using - they wanted to be buried elsewhere. They are in the military section of a very expensive cemetery, not in the Catholic section as they were not Catholic. I wish to be buried in the Catholic cemetery where the Catholic side of my family, for generations, is buried. So, when my grandmother passes (grandpa died many years ago) I plan to sell the plots they gave me and buy spots in the Catholic cemetery. Out of respect to them and the gift they gave, I will not sell them until after she passes on.

~Liza

Funny how we are all a little different . . . Like Liza, it is important to me to be buried in “consecrated ground,” by which I mean a Catholic cemetery. I have my lots, have told my children they are free to choose another Catholic cemetery if times and circumstances (and locations) change. I also realize “the dead don’t get a vote” (“unless you are in Chicago,” my daughter added), and I will be laid to rest where ever they decide. But I’m not going to be happy if it isn’t a Catholic cemetery.

 

[WindowsLM]

I had never thought about selling the plots after my mother passes on. I might end up doing the same thing. Thanks for your ideas.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Funny how we are all a little different . . . Like Liza, it is important to me to be buried in “consecrated ground,” by which I mean a Catholic cemetery. I have my lots, have told my children they are free to choose another Catholic cemetery if times and circumstances (and locations) change. I also realize “the dead don’t get a vote” (“unless you are in Chicago,” my daughter added), and I will be laid to rest where ever they decide. But I’m not going to be happy if it isn’t a Catholic cemetery.

Just remind them that if it’s not a Catholic cemetery, they will hear from you!!