Throughout life, human beings are involved in a journey. In addition to the human experiences of birth, growth and development, there is a spiritual journey taken by disciples of Jesus within the Christian faith community. Throughout this faith journey, the Church is present to celebrate significant moments of life. The Church is present to meet the needs of hunger and healing, commitment and maturity by continuing the mission of Jesus among us today. Since death is also a part of the human journey, it is only right that the Church should also be present when human beings confront this reality.
The Catholic Cemeteries Association exists to meet the needs of individuals and parishes in the Diocese of Cleveland in preparation for, at the time of, and following the death event. The ministry we provide extends into the areas of liturgy, prayer, comfort, support, grief and evangelization. Our ministry is rooted in the reality of the human person as an embodied spirit. That embodiment is sacred, for it locates the human spirit in history and in place. Just as the human body deserves to be treated with respect and dignity in life, so should it be treated in death. In providing a consecrated place for burial, we treat that body with dignity after death. We set aside sacred space where remembering can be fostered and centered, and we provide a place for liturgical celebration. We serve as a symbol of the extended community of the Church - a community unbroken by death - and, like the sacrament of the Eucharist, celebrate the death and resurrection of the Lord, which offer to us the promise of eternal life.
PO Box 605310, Cleveland, Ohio 44105 (216) 641-7575 (800) 760-0841