Ask the Managers
- Who actually owns the property at the cemetery?
- If my parents purchased six sites and they are buried in two of them, who is entitled to the remaining four sites?
- Can non-Catholics be buried in a Catholic cemetery?
- What can I do with cremated remains?
- Why can’t the cremated remains of more than one family member be put together in one burial space?
- What is a burial trust and how does it benefit me?
- What happened to my flowers?
- Why can’t I have any type of marker I want?
- Why must the casket be placed in an outer burial container?
- Why should I make pre-need arrangements for goods and services at the cemetery?
- What should I do if I have additional questions?
Who actually owns the property at the
cemetery?
The purchase of property at a Catholic cemetery of the Archdiocese of
Washington is not a real estate transaction, but rather a faithful agreement
between a family and the Church. The family purchases the right of burial
or entombment in the site. The Church retains ownership of the property
and takes responsibility for respectfully maintaining the gravesite
in perpetuity. As an additional help to families, the purchase price
of property at one Catholic cemetery of the Archdiocese can be transferred
later and applied to property at any other major CCAW cemetery.
If my parents purchased six sites and
they are buried in two of them, who is entitled to the remaining four
sites?
Catholic Cemeteries follow the inheritance laws of each local jurisdiction.
In general, all the children inherit the remaining burial sites of a
family grave purchased by their parents, unless otherwise specified
in a will. If one child has a need to use one of the sites, the other
children must all sign an authorization, as well.
Can non-Catholics be buried in a Catholic
cemetery?
Catholic cemeteries have been established by the Archdiocese of Washington
to serve the burial needs of the local Church. However, Catholic cemeteries
are open as well to all of God’s children. The Church asks that
family members abide by the regulations and traditions that make the
cemetery a Catholic place of prayer, remembrance and faithful anticipation
of the Resurrection of the Body of those who believe in Jesus Christ.
What can I do with cremated remains?
The Catholic Church requires that cremated remains be treated with the
honor and respect due to every human body. Therefore, just as a full
body is interred in a cemetery immediately following the Funeral Mass,
the Church requires that this same reverent act take place for cremated
remains as well. Most Catholic cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Washington
feature sections for the ground burial of cremated remains, as well
as wall niches for entombment in a mausoleum.
Why can’t the cremated remains
of more than one family member be put together in one burial space?
Most grave sites at a Catholic cemetery can be used for two burials,
whether the family chooses cremation or full body interment. This policy
ensures that each unique person receives enough physical space for the
memorialization of each unique life.
What is a burial trust and how does
it benefit me?
A burial trust sets aside funds at today’s prices for a future
burial. Often the trust includes the purchase of the grave site and
outer burial container, and the opening and closing fees. In addition
to the financial benefits, a burial trust ensures that burial arrangements
have been taken care of, providing peace of mind for surviving family
members.
What happened to my flowers?
Catholic cemeteries welcome the age-old tradition of bringing flowers
to the gravesite of a loved one. In fact, this gesture helps contribute
to the beauty of the cemetery. Unfortunately, sometimes flowers may
be eaten by wildlife such as deer. Other times, they are removed by
the cemetery staff when they begin to wilt and lose their beauty. Artificial
flowers are welcome before and after the grass mowing season. During
that time, however, the wires in the flower stems pose a safety hazard
to the mowers, maintenance staff and cemetery visitors.
Why can’t I have any type of marker
I want?
The Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Washington appreciates
that memorialization is often the last practical arrangement of reverence
and honor that a family can make on behalf of their loved one. Therefore,
Catholic cemeteries offer a variety of options for memorialization in
sections that feature either flat bronze or upright granite markers.
This balances the family’s longing for a unique expression of
their loved one’s interests and devotions, as well as the Church’s
insistence on the equal dignity and worth of each person buried in the
cemetery.
Why must the casket be placed in an
outer burial container?
The Catholic cemeteries of the Archdiocese require that all interred
caskets and urns be placed in either a concrete liner or a vault. This
practice helps keep the cemetery grounds as safe and attractive as possible
while at the same time protecting the interred remains. By requiring
an outer burial container, the casket or urn is less likely to be disturbed
during burials of adjacent graves, and the gravesite is less likely
to sink. The use of outer containers gives family members the peace
of mind that comes from knowing their loved ones’ remains are
undisturbed as they walk and pray on the grounds of a cemetery that
is both safe and beautiful.
Why should I make pre-need arrangements
for goods and services at the cemetery?
Families who come to make arrangements right after a death are grief-stricken
and often numb over their loss. At the cemetery, there are a number
of choices to make concerning location and memorialization. Small details
can be overwhelming. Since there are also some significant economic
factors to consider, family members can often differ on how to proceed.
By planning ahead of need, however, families have some measure of peace
knowing that arrangements are in place. The Catholic Cemeteries of the
Archdiocese of Washington encourage families in making these faithful
acts of preparation.
What should I do if I have additional
questions?
The managers of the Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Washington
would be happy to answer your questions. Contact a manager directly
at the Catholic cemetery near you or send an email through the contact
us page.
