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Catholic Cemeteries
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Catholic Cemeteries
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The Funeral Rite includes three significant parts. The vigil or wake gathers the family and friends to receive hope and consolation. The Mass of Christian Burial provides prayers for the deceased and nourishment by the Word in Eucharist. The Catholic Cemetery is the site of Rite of Committal as the deceased is committed to the grave or crypt. These prayers may take place at the graveside or in the cemetery chapel.The choice is up to the family and is arranged through the funeral director.
Special memorial Masses are held at Christmas, All Souls Day and Memorial Day . In addition, monthly memorial Masses are offered on the last Saturday of every month at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Kenmore and Holy Cross Cemetery, Lackawanna. These Masses are held in the chapel mausoleums. We believe this long standing tradition is one of the unique advantages of a Catholic Cemetery. The prayers of the Church continue unceasingly - both for those who have gone before as well as for the living.
Bereavement services are held on the first Sunday in June and the first Sunday in December of each year at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Kenmore and Holy Cross Cemetery, Lackawanna. This uplifting services is part of an ongoing effort to assist families who are grieving.The service brings together people experiencing the pain of grief for a program of prayer, song, and memories
An endowed care fund has been established by Catholic Cemeteries to ensure that the cemeteries will be properly maintained in the future.A percentage of the purchase price for graves or crypts is set aside and deposited to this fund. Only the interest can be withdrawn and used for the permanent maintenance of the cemetery. According to state laws, the principal must remain whole.
It is customary that interments are provided for Catholics. However, as a sign of the bonds of family unity, non-Catholics may be buried in a Catholic cemetery alongside the Catholic members of their family.
Many families contact the cemeteries while researching their family history. Cemetery staff will assist families on a limited basis. Cemetery records are maintained for the purpose of managing the cemetery and are not always useful for genealogy purposes. A small fee will be charged for this service.
Various groups have contacted the office of Catholic Cemeteries to arrange for special tours. People are surprised at the interesting things they learn while walking through the consecrated grounds. Each cemetery is rich in tradition and offers much information about the history of the community.Those interested in arranging a cemetery tour may contact any of the cemetery offices.
