Catholic Cemeteries

Our belief in earthly death as the entrance into eternity, our hope in the resurrection, our reverence for the body which remains, and our Christian love of neighbor calls us to exercise great care in the burial of the dead and to extend consolation to the living.  In our exercise of the corporal work of mercy of burying the dead we show reverence for the body which was the temple of the Spirit.

The Christian care with which we exercise our pastoral responsibility for the burial of the dead and our administrative responsibilities for the care of our Catholic cemeteries is a witness of our Gospel faith.  Our Catholic cemeteries assure the orderly burial of the body, the continued care of the site of burial, and help to hold the deceases in our memory and prayers.  The Church has always considered the Catholic cemetary to be a holy place in which reverence and respect are given to the remains of the faithful departed.  The Catholic cemetary is a place of devotion and of prayer for the souls of the departed.

We wish to provide the local Church with appropriately updated and revised Cemetery Regulations that will assist you in the administration and care of our Catholic cemeteries. You can view the Diocese of Winona Cemetery Regulations and the Cemetery Regulations for Lot Holders.

This booklet has been prepared for the purpose of clearing up the confusion, as well as possible, and with the hope that it may help our lot owners to avoid difficulties which perplex them.
Rules and Regulations for Grave Owners

"This past week, I sent out to all parishes two pamphlets that are appropriate for the month of November. One is entitled, "How to Plan for a Catholic Funeral" and the second is called "Cremation: What Catholics Should Know." In our Catholic community, there seems to be much misinformation and lack of understanding about these two topics. I am hopeful that pastors and parish directors will not only place these documents in their pamphlet racks but also reproduce the materials in their parish bulletins and take some time during the month of November to talk about some of the items in their Sunday homilies and instructions." I do hope that your pastor/parish director uses this opportunity during the month of November to inform the congregation, both my homily and mailings, of the information that is found in these two pamphlets. Hopefully, this information will make it easier for each family when that time comes to plan for a Catholic funeral. Each baptized person has a right to have a proper faith-filled Christian burial. When families discuss this issue before the time of crisis, it enables all to make the best informed decision, based on our Catholic faith and not merely on finances and convenience. Eternal Rest Grant unto Them, oh Lord! Let Perpetual Light Shine upon Them. Amen!"  +Bishop Bernard J. Harrington.

"Temple of the Holy Spirit" written by Father James Notebaart is another theological resource on death and care for the dead.

Questions can be forwarded to: PJ Thompson, Chancellor