FAQ Categories: Funeral

Yes. It is recognized that those who die from the act of suicide deserve understanding and compassion. The deceased may have been suffering from a serious psychological instability, or overwhelming fear and confusion. Therefore, the Church offers funeral and burial rites for those who may have died as a result of suicide. The American edition of the Catholic ritual includes prayers for this specific situation. These prayers evoke forgiveness for the departed and consolation to their family.

No, unless an arrangement prior to purchase has been made and the buyer complies with all contractual dispositions. The buyer receives a burial right from SFC. This right passes directly to the heirs after the death of the buyer even though the spouse maintains the first right to burial. This applies to all properties, lots and niches in the cemetery. Written permission may be required from all members of the succession before allowing a burial. It is recommended that permission, that will be stored in our records, be attained beforehand so as to prevent anxiety and uncomfortable moments when the permission is required.

Monuments must comply with the regulations of the different areas of the cemetery. These regulations are not arbitrary and are designed to improve the care, character and general beauty of each section. Various cemetery areas offer commemorative benches.

Family estates are custom designed burial plots that allow families to build lasting tributes for generations to come. Family estates range in all different sizes and options from large family mausoleums to beautiful garden burial sites with large monuments representing the family name, to cremation pedestal gardens. To learn more about creating a Family Estate, please speak to any Family Service Advisor at any of our locations.

Personal preference and/or family tradition influence choices in this regard. Above-ground entombment in a crypt building is appealing, especially to those people who aren’t comfortable with traditional below-ground burial. Indoor mausoleum crypts are conducive to visitation in inclement weather.

It has been our experience that generally, a husband and wife buy space for themselves. Many families decide to purchase adjoining plots to form a family group. Family plots are also available and can accommodate larger headstones. Crypts for full-size caskets and niches for cremated remains may be purchased individually or in family groups.

It is only natural that those who share the same faith in life will wish to carry on that sense of community in death. When it comes to the issue of death, the sensibilities and needs of Catholics are unique and call for certain practices in the handling and care of the remains of the deceased. Therefore, in the blessed grounds of a Catholic cemetery there are safeguards – mandated by the Church’s Canon Law – which guarantee permanence, reverence and respect for the remains of the deceased.

Yes. For more information or if you have additional questions, please contact your Parish Priest.

Catholic cemeteries have a long tradition of dedicated service to the Catholic Community including non-Catholic spouses, children, parents and other relatives. Other Christians in the community may also be buried in our Catholic Cemeteries.

SFC offers at no charge, to anyone, of any faith, who has cremated remains at home or is considering scattering, a dignified committal at any of our cemeteries. The committal will occur at the Holy Souls Remembrance Crypt, following the Order of Christian Funerals and then the remains will be permanently interred within the consecrated grounds of a Catholic Cemetery. This program is open to all faiths and funeral homes. To learn more, please click here.