Frequently Asked Questions- Scroll through
the below drop-down menu to select questions you may have:
Why
have a burial in a Roman Catholic Cemetery?
Each person, created in
the image and likeness of God, sets out on a faith journey.
Our church, and in particular the local parish, is always present
along the way to minister to the traveler’s needs and
to celebrate significant milestones in their lives.
We become a new creation through water and the Holy Spirit in
Baptism becoming children of God. At the table of the Eucharist,
we are nourished for our life’s journey. Through Confirmation
we are filled with the Holy Spirit and grow in wisdom and knowledge
of the Lord and in service to our fellow travelers. Along the
journey there are vocational choices of marriage, priesthood,
and religious life. Promises are made, celebrated and supported.
In our illness we are prayed for, visited, and anointed.
Just as conception and growth are a part of our pilgrimage,
so is death. On life’s journey, the Church is present
to support and nurture the members of the faith community –
therefore, it is only fitting that the Church is present at
the time of death and grief.
Catholic Cemeteries are an extension of the parish where those
who have worshipped and prayed together in life now await the
resurrection of the body in death.
Catholic Cemeteries are rooted in ancient religious traditions
that display a respect for the deceased and a reverence for
their physical remains.
A core belief which dates back to the birth of Christianity
is that there is a direct relationship between Jesus’
death and resurrection and the death and resurrection of the
Christian. Catholics believe in life eternal. Jesus said: “I
am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me will
never die.” (Jn.11:25-26). Just as Christ rose from the
dead, He will raise our mortal remains to be like His in glory.
Catholic cemeteries are a constant reminder that death is just
a part of the journey that leads to new life. Catholic cemeteries
are sacred places that strive to create a religious environment
conducive of prayer, reflection and remembrance. Our cemeteries
encourage prayerful visitation through the use of statuary,
landscaping, architecture and Christian symbolism throughout
buildings and by memorialization.
By choosing a Catholic Cemetery, one selects a final resting
place that reflects the beliefs and values from life’s
personal journey. It is a resting place that is sacred
and shared with all fellow pilgrims awaiting the resurrection
of the dead and the promise of everlasting life.
In our complex
and busy world, the desire to do things well spiritually, as
well as sensibly, is often complicated by practical matters
like time, money and information. Nothing seems quite as easy
to do as it first appears. This is also true of planning for
a burial place. We recommend that you do this now for the final
stage of your journey, while your decision can be made spiritually
and prudently.
The
Catholic cemetery images the Communion of Saints. By peaceful
rest among other believers in Jesus Christ, in silence our beloved
deceased still proclaim their belief in the Resurrection and
Christ’s promise of eternal life to those who follow Him.
Those who request burial within a Catholic cemetery are making
this Profession of Faith. The Mission Statement for Catholic
Cemeteries should be consulted for a fuller amplification of
the role of Catholic cemeteries within the life of the Church.
The Catholic Cemeteries are therefore intended for the interment
of Catholics and members of their families who have the right
to Christian burial according to the rules of discipline of
the Roman Catholic Church. The Church is called upon, however,
to extend charity, compassion and understanding to the extended
families of its membership.
Any extra-ordinary question concerning the burial of a Catholic
or non-Catholic member of an owner’s family may be referred
first to the pastor of the owner’s family. Questions regarding
any person not entitled to Christian burial according to the
rules and discipline of the Roman Catholic Church within the
confines of these cemeteries shall be referred to the Diocesan
Cemetery Director who may involve the Office of the Chancellor
of the Rockville Centre Diocese. Decisions made by the Diocesan
Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre shall be final.
The cemetery’s management is committed that Catholic Cemeteries
are well maintained and image the Church’s respect for
the dignity of each individual human person.
Many families visit these sacred burial grounds for prayer and
reflection. Specifically each visitor seeks their loved one's
burial place as an expression of their love and devotion.The
cemetery grounds, in particular the lawn areas, appear to the
public as a park like environment, yet these areas retain a
sacred nature and characteristic that sets these grounds apart
from the local city, state, and national parks.
Activities such as the walking of pets, jogging, riding of bikes,
roller blades and roller skates, the washing and cleaning or
private vehicles, fishing, feeding of wildlife, and picnicking
and other park like activity is inappropriate on cemetery grounds.
An exercise such as walking through the grounds is usually
acceptable, provided that walkers are dressed appropriately
and do not infringe upon visitors, mourners, or cemetery workers.
Although there is generally light traffic, please adhere
to the common sense rule of walking to the side of the road
and against the flow of traffic movement. Please be alert
to maintenance equipment entering or exiting interment sections.
The cemetery has maintained as a specific rule a regulation
that states, "The walking of dogs or the bringing of animals
into the cemetery is strictly forbidden." The one
exception to this rule is the use of animals in assistance of
those who are visually impaired.
As the custodians of God's acre, we must continue to balance
recreational desires with more practical concerns of appearance
and upkeep. While not everyone will agree with all the
rules, we ask that everyone accept them as contributing to our
common goal - a well-kept cemetery. Thank-you for helping
us in our continuous effort to make our cemeteries a more beautiful
place to visit and easier to maintain.
With the exception
of lawn crypts, ordinarily three caskets or just two caskets
in concrete vaults may be placed in any one grave. Under limited
circumstances, up to three cremation urns may be placed in the
grave (subject to available inscription space on the monument).
Additional fees may apply.
How
does the Catholic Church care for the poor at the time of death?
The poor, the indigent,
those who find themselves in financial distress due to catastrophic
events or circumstances, are to be afforded the same dignity
and care as those who are able to fully pay for the goods and
services offered by our Catholic cemeteries.
The Mission Statement for Catholic Cemeteries amplifies this
commitment. Structures are in place within the Rules and Regulations
to enable Pastors and Pastoral Administrators to work closely
with the Catholic Cemeteries to insure that the requirements
of these families and individuals are met.
According to the
rituals and common practice of the Roman Catholic Church, burial,
entombment or inurnment is considered a final act that allows
the body of the deceased to “rest in peace” while
awaiting resurrection.
Disinterment or removal of the dead from their graves, crypts
or niches should only be done for the most serious of reasons.
Cemetery personnel will exercise great care and respect in conducting
such removals. A full treatment of the restrictions and required
protocols is contained within the Rules and Regulations for
Catholic Cemeteries.
What
are the products and services found at Catholic Cemeteries?
Catholic
Cemeteries have continued to modernize the Cemeteries since
their inception. As changes in burial customs took place so
did the development of the Cemeteries. The fruits of careful
planning and wise building are evident in the Catholic Cemeteries
of the Rockville Centre Diocese. These facilities are
integral to the life and mission of the Catholic Church and
significantly contribute to the ministries of comfort, catechesis,
and evangelization as delineated in the Mission Statement for
Catholic Cemeteries.
Catholic cemeteries recognize three entities involved in the
area of funeral service, the parish, the cemetery and the funeral
home. Catholic Cemeteries are committed to offering only
those products and services that are indigenous to the cemetery
itself.
Catholic Cemeteries offer a full range of services and products,
including but not limited to:
Single and Double grave spaces with Flush Memorials
Single and Double grave spaces with Upright Memorials
Larger grave spaces with Family Estate Memorials
Lawn Crypt Selections
Chapel and Garden Mausolea
Private Family Mausolea
Columbarium Niches for the Inurnment of Cremated Remains
Opening/Closing of Graves, Crypts, Niches
Memorial Foundations
Installation of Bronze Markers
Religious & Military Crypt and Niche Front Emblems
Urns and Floral vase holders
Monument Cleaning Services
Seasonal placement of selective decorations (eg. - grave blankets)
Votive Light Candle memorials at our chapel mausoleums
Personal visual computerized memorials at cemetery Kiosk stations.
The purchase of these products and services through Catholic
Cemeteries supports the ministry and mission of Catholic Cemeteries
and the Diocese of Rockville Centre.
Because of the variety and complexities involved in the selection
of appropriate goods and services, Catholic Cemeteries retains
the services of carefully trained and competent personnel to
explain the implications of the various alternatives.
Family Service Counselors are the individuals who assist in
their immediate need environment. Pre-Need Counselors,
by appointment at one of the cemetery offices, are available
for consultation about future cemetery arrangements.
A complete staff of Operations & Maintenance personnel are
employed by Catholic Cemeteries to prepare graves, crypts and
niches for burial services, to maintain the grounds and buildings
of the Catholic Cemeteries, to do the installations of certain
memorials and various plantings and to offer a variety of other
services that care for the interment spaces in the cemeteries
and those who either have custody of them or come to visit and
pray at the cemeteries. This work is performed at reasonable
and competitive prices, and owners of Burial Rights are invited
to obtain an estimate on any work they may require.
Cremation
(using fire and heat) is the process by which the body of the
deceased is reduced to its basic elements. Cremation is permitted
for Catholics as long as it is not chosen in denial of Christian
teaching on the Resurrection and the sacredness of the human
body.
Does the Church have a preference for
either cremation or burial of the body of the deceased?
Although cremation is permitted, Catholic teaching continues
to stress the preference for burial or entombment of the body
of the deceased. This is done in imitation of the burial of
Jesus’ body.
“This is the Body once
washed in baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation, and fed
with the bread of life. Our identity and self-consciousness
as a human person are expressed in and through the body . .
. Thus, the Church’s reverence and care for the body grows
out of a reverence and concern for the person whom the Church
now commends to the care of God.”
What
are the steps to be taken if one chooses cremation?
When cremation
is chosen, the full course of the Order of Christian Funerals
should still be celebrated, including the Vigil Service (wake),
the Funeral Liturgy, and the Rite of Committal. The preservation
of this order allows for the greater _expression of our beliefs
and values, especially, the sacredness of human life, the dignity
of the individual person and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Through its funeral rites, the Church commends the dead to the
merciful love of God and pleads for the forgiveness of their
sins.
Should
cremation occur before or after the funeral?
The Church clearly
prefers and urges that the body be present during Vigil and
Funeral Mass, and that if cremation is to be used, it take place
following the Rite of Final Commendation.
The cremated human remains would then be interred during the
Rite of Committal. The diocesan bishop has permitted cremated
remains to be present for the Funeral Liturgy.
What
should become of the cremated remains following the funeral?
Church teaching
insists that cremated remains must be given the same respect
as the body, including the manner in which they are carried
and the attention given to their appropriate transport and placement.
The cremated remains of a body are to be buried or entombed,
preferably in a Catholic cemetery, and using the rites provided
by the Order of Christian Funerals. The following are
not considered to be reverent dispositions that the Church requires:
scattering cremated remains, dividing cremated remains and keeping
cremated remains in the home.
The remains of a cremated body should be treated with the same
respect given to the corporeal remains of a human body. This
includes a worthy container to hold the cremated remains.
If you are considering cremation, it is wise to discuss your
choice with your family, your parish priest, or the Catholic
Cemetery office and review our online CREMATION procedures
What
are the facilities Catholic cemeteries provide?
COMMITTAL CHAPELS
The Order of Christian Funerals of the Roman Catholic Church
earnestly recommends the celebration of the Committal Service
at the immediate site of burial, entombment or inurnment. Every
effort is made to encourage families to exercise this option.
Catholic Cemeteries recognize, however, that various mitigating
circumstances exist that make the exercise of this option impossible
or impractical.
For this reason, the Catholic Cemeteries maintain Chapels for
the convenience of Owners of Burial Rights. Arrangements for
the use of these facilities for committal are made at the cemetery
office or through the funeral director.
RECEIVING VAULT
All human remains brought to the cemetery for interment will
be interred as soon as possible in a permanent resting place.
When immediate interment is impossible or impractical,
the cemetery reserves the right to temporarily entomb the remains
in an unsold crypt in the cemetery’s community mausoleum
designated as a Receiving Vault. Temporary interment status
will not be granted for the construction of a family mausoleum
or underground vault.
PRIVATE FAMILY MAUSOLEUMS
Both individual crypts within a Community Mausoleums and private
Family Mausoleum sites are available with Catholic Cemeteries.
Specifications for the construction and placement of private
family mausoleums are determined by the Diocesan Director of
Cemeteries. The cemetery’s management reviews each inquiry
on an individual basis as the need arises and requests are made.
Who controls the lot after the death of the original certificate
holder (purchaser)?
Possession of the Certificate of Interment Rights (deed) other
than by the original purchaser does not guarantee ownership
of or the right to use graves. Ownership of the lot is governed
by Section 8 of the Religious Corporation Law of the State of
New York, which states that lots shall be held indivisible.
Generally, the surviving spouse and children of the lot owner,
in common, control the lot. Upon the death of the last child,
the grandchildren, in common, control the lot. Families should
designate, in writing, a representative to act on behalf of
the family on matters pertaining to the lot. Forms for this
designation are available at the cemetery office.
Can
I return my graves or crypts for a refund if I change my mind?
Refunds are available
for unused burial lots without memorialization. Surrender affidavit
forms may be obtained by telephoning the cemetery office. Refunds
are subject to the provisions outlined in the cemetery rules
and regulations and are subject to an administrative fee up
to 10% of the amount of the refund request.
Do I have to pay extra every year for the care of the graves?
No. A percentage of the purchase price of each lot or crypt
sold is deposited into the Permanent Maintenance Fund. The interest
earned by this fund is used for the continuing cost of general
maintenance.
The cemetery does
issue duplicate copies of Certificates of Interment Rights.
Only one certificate can exist or be recognized. The cemetery
can provide an Application for a Duplicate Certificate of Burial.
Telephone the cemetery office for eligibility rules and fees.
Click the link below to do download a new certificate: Application
for Duplicate Certificate
The cemetery permits
only one memorial on a lot. If the family opts to use a veterans
memorial that meets the cemetery’s regulations for a particular
burial location we suggest you contact the cemetery office to
complete our required authorizations and necessary paperwork.
The VA provides markers at no charge, yet there are cemetery
fees for foundation work and marker installation. Please
call the Cemetery Office for more information and current installation
charges.
The
possession of a Certificate of Interment Rights (sometimes
referred to as Deed) by anyone other than the original purchaser
does not guarantee ownership of or the right to use grave/crypt/niche.
Upon the death of the purchaser, the ownership of the lot
is governed by Section 8 of the Religious Corporations Law:
“Lots in such cemeteries shall be held indivisible,
and upon the decease of a proprietor of such lot the title
thereto shall descend to his heirs-at-law or devisees, subject,
however, to the following limitations and conditions: If he
leaves a widow and children, they shall have in common the
possession, care and control of such lot during her life.
If he leaves a widow and no children, she shall have the possession,
care, and control of such lot during her life. If he leaves
children and no widow, they or the survivor of them, shall
in common have the possession, care and control of such lot
during the life of the survivor of them. The parties having
such possession, care and control of such lot during the term
thereof may erect a monument and make other permanent improvements
thereon. The widow shall have the right of interment, for
her own body in such lot, or in a tomb in such lot and a right
to have her body remain permanently interred or entombed therein,
except that her body may be removed there from to some other
family lot or tomb with the consent of her heirs. At any time
when more than one person is entitled to the possession, care
or control of such lot, the persons so entitled thereto shall
designate in writing to the religious corporation which of
their number shall represent the lot, and on their failure
to designate, the board of trustees or directors of the corporation
shall enter of record which of said parties shall represent
the lot, while such failure continues. The widow may at any
time release her right in such lot, but no conveyance or devise
by any other person shall deprive her of such right.”
The PDF format forms found at the top of this page may be
used to authorize burials or designate burial space by the
owner or the survivors (the family representatives).
