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mrsbeers
Guest
Why do some cemeteries have specifically-Catholic sections? What, if anything, happens differently in such sections?
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Bruised_Reed
Guest
I’m not sure but most likely the ground is consecrated in that section.
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tee_eff_em
Guest
In addition to this, I have heard of a Mass being offered annually for all those interred in a particular Catholic cemetery. I do not know that this is a requirement, but I would not be surprised.
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7_Sorrows
Guest
Interesting. I knew there were Catholic cemeteries, but I didn’t realize there were cemeteries that had Catholic sections.
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Bruised_Reed
Guest
Neither did I. There should be a huge disclaimer on my earlier post since I broke my own rule that I have about answering posts with, “I don’t know but…”
My answer is based on speculation and logic not knowledge. I tried a quick google search but didn’t find anything useful. I’m hoping someone with credible knowledge with answer. 
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1ke
Guest
A particular parish or diocese may have a “Catholic cemetery”. A private, city or town cemetery may have a section that has been set aside and consecrated in which Catholics are buried. Other secular cemeteries do not have a specific section set aside, in which case the individual grave is blessed when a Catholic is buried there.
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FaithfulKnight
Guest
Our Parish has a cemetery and Mass is offered every year on Memorial Day.
The Mass is preceded by ceremonies conducted by the American Legion and VFW.
The attendance is always good.
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schaeffer
Guest
I grew up in a place with a huge Catholic population, and there were Catholic cemeteries, Protestant cemeteries, Jewish cemeteries etc.
Later, moving to areas where there was a predominantly Protestant population, the public cemeteries that were not church yard cemeteries often had areas sectioned off for Catholics, Jews, etc. The area for each tended to have statues or other faith or cultural adornments appropriate to that faith.
I think people prefer to lay their loved ones to rest in a place with others of their faith, a sense of community etc. It feels right to bury one among family, so to speak.
Later, moving to areas where there was a predominantly Protestant population, the public cemeteries that were not church yard cemeteries often had areas sectioned off for Catholics, Jews, etc. The area for each tended to have statues or other faith or cultural adornments appropriate to that faith.
I think people prefer to lay their loved ones to rest in a place with others of their faith, a sense of community etc. It feels right to bury one among family, so to speak.
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7_Sorrows
Guest
I just never thought about cemeteries not tied to a religious community
setting aside a section for Catholics or Jews. I know where there are large Catholic communities there are Catholic communities and there are Jewish cemeteries where there are large Jewish communities.
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schaeffer
Guest
As people and families scatter far afield. As old churchyard cemeteries reach capacity, more and more public cemeteries and memorial gardens are springing up. In big cities there aren’t open tracks of land to be had, and some commercial ventures are buying land up and opening cemeteries.
I’ve moved all over the country and lived in cities, towns, rural areas and wilderness, and I am a cemetery lover, so I visit them all over the US, and this is a trend I see. In the South there were still places where people buried their loved one’s on their own land, but even that practice, as family farms and land are sold off has it’s issues. There is no longer the assurity that those grave sites will remain in the family. In a few years time there could be a golf course, high school, or subdivision over those old family plots. Relocating those graves is costly and emotional, sometimes the cost of doing so is wrapped into the purchase price of the land.
Cemeteries have been an entrenched, important part of communities for thousands of years. They are strongholds of faith, culture and history, but with a mobile society, lack of land, and a growing number of cremations the cemeteries of old, with family plots, rich symbolism on the stones and lovely plantings are becoming things of the past.
I am so many times displaced from my childhood home/locale and the family grave sites, that there is no one place to bury me that would make sense at this point. There is no focal point around which our family would gather. My kids are scattered, our family divided by divorce I truly wonder what will happen to mine and upcoming generations when it comes to burial.
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7_Sorrows
Guest
I love visiting cemeteries and looking at the old gravestones especially and wondering what their lives were like and how they died. It is almost like spirits are crying out for their story to be told! Cemetery burials have gotten so expensive anymore.
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