What do you do when you pass a cemetery?

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When driving or walking past a cemetery some Catholics cross themselves (+) for the souls of the dead.

I think it was from one of the books of indulgences that I got the idea of saying the requiem prayer as I passed a cemetery:

(+) ‘Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace’. (+)

The indulgence goes to souls in Purgatory.

If I take the circuit route to work and home I pass four cemeteries and one lone grave.
 
I believe it is a very pious practice to pray for the departed whenever one passes by a cemetery and I commend you for being so thoughtful since not too many people do this pious practice. I wish more people were as conscientious as you are.
 
I try to do the same but If I’m driving I just say the requiem prayer

‘Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord. Let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace’.

For me it acts as a Memento mori reminding me of the world to come

God Bless you for your diligence
 
i never did anything neither tought about it, unless i went there to pray for my dead relatives. Thank you for your suggestions, it makes me more aware that i should pray also for dead people besides my dead relatives.
 
Personally I just thank God that it’s day time. >>;;
Sorry, I’ve just read waaaaay too many ghost stories. ><;;
 
Lutheranteach said:
I think about if there is anyone in there I know.
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I did not know this. I cross myself when passing a Catholic Church (Protestant Catholic also) and passing large crosses erected on hilltops and such Protestant or not. I am not sure about the passing of all churches. I think I would be too busy to drive!

At least you give the dead a passing thought. Wouldn’t a prayer be better? Why does it matter that there may be someone you know there and why not find out? All people should be prayed for if one passes by a cemetery without prejudice or pre-knowledge of the person it seems to mean even more.

In Catholicism, I think we are asked to look at all people as part of a whole, part of the body of God regardless of race, creed or religion, dead or alive. Some of these people we may be united with in heaven or purgatory and paying respect to them is no less than we would want.
 
The requiem prayer we say when passing a cemetery is applied not only to the ones in the cemetery but to the souls of the departed generally.

I add my own prayer to the end of the requiem prayer asking for the Father’s mercy on those that are dying (or about to die) that they may be reconciled with Him or make their peace with Him so that He may extend his infinite mercy to them.

We should remember that the dying are in the greatest need of God’s mercy and forgiveness.

I also say a prayer when passing a cross (whether a road death memorial, Catholic church or Protestant because a cross is a cross), as follows:

‘We adore you Lord Jesus Christ here and in all Your churches all over the whole world, and we bless You because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world’.
(Attributed to St Francis… who said it also when he saw a cross or church).

Little customs like that keep our minds focussed on God throughout the day. There are also little prayers you can say when you see or hear an abulance, as simple as, ‘Lord have mercy on the dying’.
 
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