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Catholic Cemeteries
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Catholic Cemeteries
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Plot and Interment Provisions |
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Catholic cemeteries, regardless of size, location or length of time in operation, share the primary goal of providing dignified burial places for the faithful departed. They must offer services and facilities in harmony with the teaching of the Church, and show a degree of care that reflects the spiritual values inherent in the tradition of the Catholic burial.
Guidelines are designed for the express purpose of governing the activities in the Catholic Cemetery for the mutual protection and benefit of lot holders and the cemetery as a whole. They are established with certain restrictions to ensure uniformity and control within the cemetery grounds.
These guidelines are not intended to be restraining, or all inclusive, but rather to define an orderly plan of operation, care and permanent maintenance. A complete set of the rules and regulations are kept on file at the cemetery office and are available for your inspection during regular business hours. With this understanding in mind, the lot holder is requested to honor the following provisions.
Thank you.
Plot and Interment - Specific Guidelines |
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- The purchaser of a plot in Catholic Cemeteries does not acquire the property itself, but only the "right of burial".
- No interment will be permitted in the cemetery, or rights acquired by the purchaser, until such time that full payment has been received for the plot.
- The interment fee is separate and distinct from the purchase of the "Right of Burial". This fee must be paid in full prior to the interment.
- Grave spaces may be used for the burial of human remains only. Normally, a maximum of one interment or two inurnments (cremated remains) is permitted in a single grave. If space permits, a family may purchase an additional "Right of Burial" for cremated remains to be placed in a single grave where one interment has taken place.
- Since Catholic Cemeteries is a Catholic Institution, it is customary that interments are provided for Catholics. As a sign of the bonds of family unity, non-Catholics may be buried in a Catholic cemetery alongside the Catholic members of the family.
- Assignment or transfer of any plot will at all times be subject to the guidelines of Catholic Cemeteries. No burial space or interest therein will be transferred or assigned without the consent of Catholic Cemeteries. A notarized statement indicating permission of the original purchaser and/or his/her heir(s) is required. A recording fee may be charged to provide this service.
Plot and Interment - Decorations |
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- One approved in-ground vase or non-decorative clay or plastic pot of flowers will be permitted on each grave during the grass-cutting season of April 1st - October 15th. The pot should not exceed 10 inches in diameter or 10 inches in height. Decorations will not be permitted during the fall clean up period of October 16th - October 31st.
- Winter decorations will be permitted from November 1st - March 15th. They will not be permitted during the spring clean up period of March 16th - March 31st.
- Certain sections in the cemetery may have planting privileges. Please check with the specific cemetery office for more information.
- In-ground plantings are not permitted on lawn level memorial graves.
- Due to the possible hazards they may cause to employees and visitors, the placing of chairs, benches, toys, plastic or metal designs, ornaments, pictures, shells, chips, gravel, settees, trellises, and similar articles will not be permitted.
- Artificial decorations mounted on upright supports, those constructed on wire, wood or plastic that stand above ground, are not permitted during the grass cutting season.
- American flags may be placed on Veterans graves, 24 hours prior to and removed within 48 hours after the following designated holidays: Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4th, and Veterans Day. A family may choose to place the flag in an approved pot for the summer season as long as it is properly maintained.
Plot and Interment - Memorialization |
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- Graves must be paid in full before a marker or monument may be placed.
- The size, style and numbers of memorials will be governed according to the section of the Cemetery in which they are to be placed.
- In keeping with Christian ideals, a Christian character or emblem will be the main feature on all memorials. Prayers and Epitaphs of a positive nature, may be permitted with Cemetery approval, and must be of limited wording.
- Etchings of nature scenes must not exceed 25% of the face of the die. Etchings of the bust of an individual must not exceed 10% of the face of the die with a maximum of 80 square inches. Etchings of any other kind are limited to 4" x 4" or 16 square inches. In any case, you are entitled to just one etching of an non-religious nature.
Plot and Interment - Returns |
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If, in the sole discretion of the Cemetery, a grave can be utilized by the Cemetery, it may be returned under the following conditions:
- The grave to be returned is not marked with a family memorial or individual memorial. Any existing memorialization must be removed at family expense.
- Proper notarized statements to show proof of ownership must be submitted to the Cemetery Office.
- If the purchaser moves his/her residence outside the geographical limits of the Diocese of Buffalo, a recording fee will be deducted from the original purchase price to determine the refund amount. If a grave is returned for any other reason, a retainage fee will be deducted from the refund amount.
Plot and Interment - Hours of Operation |
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Under normal conditions all Diocesan Cemeteries are open for visitation each day of the year as follows:April 1st - September 30th, 8 am - 8 p.m.
October 1st - March 31st, 8 am - 4:30 p.m.
Crypt and Entombment - Specific Guidelines |
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- The purchaser of a crypt/niche in Catholic Cemeteries does not acquire the property itself, but only the "right of burial".
- No entombment/inurnment will be permitted in the mausoleum, or rights acquired by the purchaser, until such time that full payment has been received for the crypt/niche.
- The entombment fee and the charge for lettering on the crypt front are separate and distinct from the purchase of the "right of burial". These fees must be paid in full prior to the entombment.
- Crypts and niches may be used for the burial of human remains only. Normally, a maximum of one entombment or two inurnments (cremated remains) will be permitted in a single crypt space. Where there is one entombment in a single crypt space, the family may purchase an additional "right of burial" for cremated remains to also be placed in that crypt. Certain restrictions will apply. Only one inurnment can be placed in a single niche.
- Since Catholic Cemeteries is a Catholic Institution, it is customary that interments are provided for Catholics. As a sign of the bonds of family unity, non-Catholics may be buried in a Catholic cemetery alongside the Catholic members of the family.
- Ground spaces in any of our cemeteries may be exchanged as partial payment on mausoleum crypts with the approval of Catholic Cemeteries. A release form for the graves exchanged must be signed by the purchaser (plot holder) and the easement (deed/title) to the ground property must be returned to the cemetery.
- If a person wishes to purchase crypts for the entombment of a family member already buried, he or she can do so, once the proper forms have been completed. A separate fee will be charged for the disinterment and entombment. In addition, a special cemetery approved liner must be purchased. Other expenses, not directly assessed by Catholic Cemeteries, may also be incurred at the time of transfer.
- Assignment or transfer of any crypt space will at all times be subject to the guidelines established by Catholic Cemeteries. No crypt or interest therein will be transferred or assigned without the consent of Catholic Cemeteries. A notarized statement indicating permission of the original purchaser and/or his/her heir(s) is required. A recording fee will be charged to provide this service.
- Lettering and inscription on all crypt fronts are to be uniform as determined by Catholic Cemeteries. After full payment has been received for the crypt space(s), lettering may be ordered and placed on the crypt front.
Crypt and Entombment - Decorations |
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- Potted plants, fresh cut flowers in a vase or artificial decorations may be placed on the floor in front of the crypt space of a loved one on the following holidays:
Birthdays and Anniversaries may be observed by notifying the cemetery office and receiving a tag to place on the floral arrangement identifying the special occasion. Floral arrangements may be placed three (3) days prior to and one (1) day after the holiday or special occasion, five (5) days in succession. All floral arrangements will be removed on the 2nd day after the holiday. If it is your intention to retain plants and/or vases, it is most important that you are aware of the time of their removal.
New Year's Day Independence Day Easter Sunday All Soul's Day Mother's Day Veteran's Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Father's Day Christmas Day - In lieu of the above policy, the purchaser may opt for special vase and floral program offered by the Catholic Cemeteries. For more information, please contact the cemetery office.
Crypt and Entombment - Returns |
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If, in the sole discretion of the Cemetery, a crypt can be utilized by the Cemetery, it may be returned under the following conditions:
- The crypt to be returned is not memorialized. Any existing memorialization must be removed at family expense.
- Proper notarized statements to show proof of ownership must be submitted to the Cemetery Office.
- If the purchaser moves his/her residence outside the geographical limits of the Diocese of Buffalo, a recording fee will be deducted from the original purchase price to determine the refund amount. If a crypt is returned for any other reason, a retainage fee will be deducted from the refund amount.
Crypt and Entombment - Mausoleum Hours |
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All Chapel Mausoleums are open for visitation each day of the year between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
These provisions may be amended, deleted or added to, at any time for the good and proper management of our mausoleums
