Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Are all cemeteries blessed grounds?

Answer: All cemeteries and burial places are meant to be places of reverence. In a unique way, the Catholic Church sets aside in perpetuity and solemnly blesses or "consecrates" the land of Catholic cemeteries and mausoleums. A Catholic cemetery is considered an extension of the parish church, and like a parish church, is solemnly blessed or "consecrated" by the Bishop. A Catholic cemetery is to be a prayerful place, a permanent memorial for those who have died and a reliquary of saints.

Question: Do all cemeteries provide prayers for the deceased buried there?

Answer: Secular cemeteries may permit individual religious services at the time of burial. A unique feature of Catholic cemeteries is that, in addition to the graveside service at burial, Mass is offered weekly for those buried in the Catholic cemeteries of the Diocese. In addition, Mass is celebrated at most Catholic cemeteries on Memorial Day and on Cemetery Sunday (the first Sunday in November) in conjunction with the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls. The Bishop and some of the priests closely associated with the Catholic Cemeteries Association are the celebrants of these special Masses. All are invited to participate in these liturgies.

Question: Is it true that non-Catholic family members may not be buried in a Catholic cemetery?

Answer: Family members who may not be Catholic, e.g. spouses, children, parents, can be buried in Catholic cemeteries in order to maintain family unity even in death.

Question: Can former Catholics and non-practicing Catholics be buried in a Catholic cemetery?

Answer: Reconciliation is the hope of the Church even in death.  A former, inactive or non-practicing Catholic may be buried in a Catholic cemetery as long as there is no public scandal or controversy involved.

Question: Is there a fee to maintain grave sites?

Answer: The Catholic Cemeteries Association Endowment Burse was established for the purpose of ensuring the future maintenance and beautification of the cemeteries owned by the Catholic Cemeteries Association.  A 15% charge is assessed on the purchase price of each place of interment and option and those funds are deposited into the burse.  The Catholic Cemeteries Association instituted the burse with strict guidelines regarding the use of the funds.  Funds must be used for the maintenance of the cemeteries only.  This is a one time fee and pays for the materials and labor necessary for the maintenance of grave sites.

Question: Do Catholic cemeteries keep accurate records?

Answer: The Catholic Cemeteries Association has always had expert record keeping. Records dating back more than 150 years are kept at the cemetery offices and are updated daily.

Question: Is it true that Catholic cemeteries will not bury until payment is made?

Answer: While many payment options are offered, the Catholic Cemeteries Association has never refused anyone for lack of funds.

Question: Will Catholic cemeteries bury the poor?

Answer: The Catholic Cemeteries Association never refuses a burial for lack of funds. It has been a long-standing policy of the Church to bury those with no money that die. The Callistian Guild, named for Saint Callistus, patron of Catholic cemeteries, covers some of these expenses.

Question: To be buried in a Catholic cemetery, must you buy the headstones, vaults (outer burial containers) etc. from the Catholic Cemeteries Association?

Answer: People are free to purchase headstones, vaults and crypts from any supplier of their choosing. Inscriptions and decoration of headstones need to comply with the policies established by the Catholic Cemeteries Association. The Catholic Cemeteries Association does, however, offer its own brand of cemetery products, the Basilica® brand. These products are of the highest quality and many are unconditionally guaranteed. Proceeds from the sale of these products are used for the maintenance and beautification of our cemeteries.

Question: Do Catholic cemeteries offer sales counseling or pre-need planning?

Answer: The Catholic Cemeteries Association has experienced, caring sales counselors to help people deal with grief and spiritual questions in choosing burial sites and mausoleum crypts. In addition, the cemeteries provide both At-Need assistance (for a death that has already occurred) and Pre-Need planning. Pre-Need planning allows for a better-informed decision, while relieving loved ones of the emotional and financial burdens at a very difficult time.