FAQ
About in-Ground Burial
Is there a time limit after a death for a person to be buried?
States have different laws; some limit the maximum time before final disposition. Things that must be considered: securing official permits and authorizations, notifying friends and family, preparation of the burial site and religious requirements. Your funeral director will be well-versed on the regulations.
What about embalming -- is it required?
No. Embalming is a matter of choice, not required. Your decision will be influenced by several factors: 1. length of time between death and burial; 2. to enhance the deceased's appearance in an open casket for public viewing or private viewing by family members; 3. transportation of the body by plane or train.
What are interment fees?
Fees for interment cover the cost of many separate services performed by cemetery personnel. They include administering and permanent record keeping -- we determine ownership, obtain permission and complete all other necessary documents, enter the interment details in the interment register, and maintain all legal files. The fees also include opening and closing the grave, which include the preparation of the burial site for interment, which includes tents, chairs, needed equipment and staff, grave site, level, tamp, re-grade and sod the grave site, and level and re-sod it if the earth settles.
What is a burial vault?
A burial vault is the outside container into which the casket itself is placed. It is designed to protect the casket and maintain the beauty of the cemetery.
What's the difference between a double lawn crypt and a double depth burial space?
A lawn crypt is pre-set. A double depth burial space is set at the time of death.
May I make the necessary arrangements in advance?
Yes. You can make all arrangements in advance. Planning ahead lets you consider all options. As an informed consumer, you can make the decisions about your funeral, your cemetery arrangements and the kind of memorial you want. Preplanning all your funeral and cemetery needs will be a meaningful decision that will give you peace of mind, knowing that you have relieved your loved ones of the emotional and financial burden of having to make decision s at a time or mourning. It's also a wise economic choice, because you purchased at today's prices, free from future inflationary pressures.
When I buy a grave, do I receive a deed?
No. The purchase of a grave is really a purchase of the right to designate who may be buried in that grave and what kind of memorial you want. You will receive a “Certificate of Interment Right.”
What is care and maintenance?
Care and maintenance -- a portion of the purchase price contributed to a special fund provides for long term care and maintenance of the cemetery.
In-Ground Burial Products
From the time you enter the grounds of our cemetery, you will see the perfect blending of natural and man-made beauty. Each section of the cemetery is beautifully themed and identified by a fitting shrine.
Individual and family lots are available throughout our grounds. Lawn-level memorials, which can be personalized, provide a distinctive remembrance.
When selecting traditional ground burial for interment, there are three basic components: the grave, the memorial and the burial vault. All are available directly through the cemetery.
Graves range in price by location or section. Grave selections are available at our Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials are all installed level with the lawn. An exception would be an "upright" memorial allowed in specially designated sections of the cemetery. We are proud to offer the finest selection of bronze and granite memorials.
Burial vaults serve to maintain the beauty of the cemetery and to protect the casket. The cemetery offers a basic, sealing vault that meets our requirements, and vaults with liners which afford greater protection to the casket. Many Vault options are available for your selection.
About Cremation
Must cremated remains be in-urned in a cemetery?
There are many options for families to choose from:
Ground Burials
Glass Niches
Mausoleum Niches
Feature Niches
May I scatter the ashes?
No. "The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or friend of the deceased is not the reverent disposition that the Church requires." (Order of Christian Funerals, Appendix II)
May anything be added to cremated remains such as the cremated remains of other persons, pets or other objects?
The principle of respect for the cremated remains of a deceased Christian embraces the deeper belief in the individuality of each baptized person before God. Throughout history, the mingling of remains has never been an accepted practice, except in extraordinary circumstances.
What funeral rites are celebrated when a person is cremated?
All the usual rites which are celebrated with a body present may also be celebrated in the presence of cremated remains. The United States' bishops have written new prayers and have printed them as an appendix to the Order of Christian Funerals. During the liturgies, the cremated remains are treated with the same dignity and respect as the body.
The following rituals may be celebrated:
Prayers after Death. This ritual is used immediately after death. The presence of the minister, the readings, and the prayers can be of great comfort to the family (Order for Christian Funerals, #101-108)
Gathering in the Presence of the Body. This ritual can also be of great comfort to family members and friends. It allows for a time of simple prayer and shared silence. (Order of Christian Funerals #109-118)
Vigil for the Deceased. If cremation has already taken place, friends and family may still gather to pray. While it has been a tradition to pray the rosary in some regions, the Vigil is a liturgy of the Word Service. It consists of the Introductory Rite, the Liturgy of the Word, the Prayer of Intercession and the Concluding Rite (Order of Christian Funerals #54-97).
What length of time is there between death, cremation and the funeral Mass?
The answer to this question depends on various factors, just as in the case of funerals with the body. The place of death, the location of the crematory, scheduling a time for cremation, the schedule at the parish church, and other circumstances impact the timing.
What happens at the Funeral Mass with cremated remains?
Significant attention should be given to the primary symbols of the Catholic funeral liturgy, as stated in the Order of Christian Funerals and its commentaries. The paschal candle and sprinkling with holy water are primary symbols of baptism and should be used during the funeral Mass. However, the pall is not used. Photos and other mementos may be used at the vigil, but are not appropriate for the Mass. During the Mass, the cremated remains should be treated with the same dignity and respect as the body. They are to be sealed in a "worthy vessel." They may be carried in procession and/or placed on a table where the coffin normally would be with the Easter candle nearby.
The body is always laid to rest with solemnity and dignity. So too, the Order of Christian Funerals provides for the interment of cremated remains (Order of Christian Funerals, #428).
Canon Law on Cremation
Can. 117
S1- Christ's faithful who have died are to be given a Church funeral according to the norms of law.
S2 - Church funerals are to be celebrated according to the norms of the liturgical books. In these funeral rites the Church prays for the spiritual support of the dead, it honors their bodies, and at the same time it brings to the living the comfort of hope.
S3 - The Church earnestly recommends that the pious customs of burial be retained; but it does not forbid cremation, unless this is chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching.