Frequently Asked Questions

Do the Catholic Cemeteries still have graves for sale?

Calvary, St. Michael, St. Louis and St. John Cemeteries all have burial space available for sale. Calvary has approximately 40+ years of graves remaining, while St. Michael, St. Louis and St. John cemeteries have limited availability. Roads and landscaped areas are opened throughout the year to allow for future burial space.

The cemetery records are available on this website. See “Locate a Loved One” under Visitor Information. The cemetery office located in Calvary Cemetery can also provide a cemetery map and lot diagram, which can aid you in finding the location.

Catholic cemeteries are consecrated and blessed by the bishop, which makes the grounds sacred.  Individual graves are also blessed at the time of burial in accord with the Rite of Funerals.  Catholic cemeteries are an extension of the parish church where those who have worshipped and prayed together in life now await the resurrection of the body in death.  Whether an individual is active in their parish life or not, by choosing a Catholic cemetery, one selects a final resting place that reflects the beliefs and values from their own life’s personal journey.  The Catholic cemetery provides a resting place that is sacred and shared with all fellow pilgrims awaiting resurrection of the dead and the promise of life everlasting.

No, it is not required, but our purpose is to provide a Rite of Burial to the Catholic community.

At the time cemeteries are established, the Church provides for a general blessing and dedication of the land for burial purposes. The burial ritual also provides for a blessing of a particular grave at the time it is used.

Yes, cremation has been allowed since Vatican II.

The Funeral Rites of the Catholic Church should be followed. The cremated remains of the body, due the same respect as the remains of the body. Cremains must be buried in a cemetery, entombed in a columbarium or buried at sea. Cremated remains should never be scattered or kept at home.

If you choose to donate your body to science for medical research, the eventual disposition of the body or its parts, intact or cremated should take place in keeping with the teaching and traditions of the Catholic Church. Burial or inurnment arrangements should take place in advance.

There are two in-door chapels located in Calvary Cemetery. Families can choose to have the burial service at the graveside or in one the chapels. Chapels may be scheduled for the committal prayers only. Committal prayers last approximately 15 to 20 minutes. There are 10 chairs and standing room. Our facilities are not to be used as a gathering place for visitation. There is not a family lounge or other meeting space available.

Any unused spaces that have not been assigned in the owner’s lifetime are available to her/his surviving spouse and then to any direct descendants in the order of need in accordance with state law.

It may take anywhere from six months to one year for a grave to settle and have grass again. Graves are seeded in the Spring and Fall and on an at-need basis. However, settling may re-occur which starts the seeding process over. Please inform us if a grave needs attention and we will attend to this oversight promptly.

Every effort is made to install foundations within a ninety-day time frame. However, inclement weather and/or certain seasons must be taken into consideration which may cause delays.

It is the family’s responsibility to request this work be done through the cemetery office or other company of their choice. Proper authorization must be made, and any applicable fees must be paid prior to adding a date of death or any other inscriptions.

The answer is yes. However, the cemeteries are not parks. Please respect those interred here and their families. Keep noise down. Wear appropriate clothing when walking, jogging or biking. Always keep pets on leashes and under your control. You must also clean up after your pet. There are pet waste stations located at the entrances of each cemetery for your convenience.

Yes. Each grave or lot (2 or more graves) has a specific type and size range for the memorial. These decisions are made to help us control future maintenance costs, access for visitors and the overall visual design of each area.