How are cemeteries laid out?

How are cemeteries laid out?

A cemetery needs to be laid out with both the deceased and space constraints in mind. Survey the cemetery’s land. This is usually done by a professional surveyor to accurately map the space. Using tools, such as a leveling instrument, ensure exact measurements of the land are made.

What makes a Catholic cemetery?

Catholic cemeteries are sacred places with blessed ground. They are places of prayer and deep respect for the deceased. Prayers and Masses for the deceased continue to be offered in our Catholic cemeteries.

Do Roman Catholics have to be buried in a Catholic cemetery?

Traditional Catholic doctrine required that human remains be buried in consecrated ground, or ground blessed by a priest and deemed an appropriate final resting place by the Church. The Vatican no longer requires burial in a Catholic cemetery, according to the St. Burying of remains remains an important rule.

What are the rules to be buried in a Catholic cemetery?

Baptized Catholics may be buried in a Catholic cemetery. Likewise, non-Catholic spouses and other family members of Catholics may be buried in a Catholic Cemetery. A member of the clergy of the Church of the one being buried can certainly be invited to conduct burial services at the gravesite.

How many burials are in one grave?

The short answer is that the number of urns varies. No matter the type of cemetery plot, single or family, the majority of burial plots allow for at least two. This is because while most burial plots are made to hold caskets, most cemeteries are not against having two urns in one plot.

Can ashes be buried in a Catholic cemetery?

You can’t bury the ashes. According to the Church’s cremation guidelines, cremated remains must be buried and not scattered. Whether the ashes are buried in a traditional coffin or placed in an urn in a mausoleum, either way the ashes must remain in one place and be placed in a sacred resting place.

Is a cemetery considered holy ground?

There are basically only two places that the Catholic Church consecrates as Holy Ground and those are a church and a cemetery. Only a Catholic Bishop can designate and consecrate a cemetery as Holy Ground within the Diocese of which he is the Bishop.

Can a Catholic priest be cremated?

The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom be retained, but it does not forbid cremation, unless this is chosen for reasons, which are contrary to Christian teaching.

Who is not allowed to be buried in a Catholic cemetery?

To that end, they generally allow non-Catholics to be buried in Catholic cemeteries. There are also frequently questions raised about those who have died after having violated Catholic doctrine. In some cases, this involves having gone through a divorce or having committed suicide.

Can anyone be buried in a Catholic cemetery?

Since Vatican II anyone can be buried in a Catholic cemetery and may have a service conducted by a priest or minister of their own faith. The cemetery is not obligated to and may not be able to meet special requirements of other faiths.