Cemeteries
Choosing a final resting place within the Catholic tradition is a sacred act of faith, reflecting our belief in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. This guide is designed to help your family navigate these meaningful decisions with peace, dignity, and hope.
The Sacred Ground: Choosing a Catholic Cemetery
Resting in a Catholic cemetery means placing your loved one in ground that has been formally consecrated and blessed.
- Community of Faith: It surrounds your loved one with a community of believers resting together in Christ.
- Sacred Space: These grounds are extensions of the Church, offering a quiet, prayerful environment for reflection and remembrance.
- Perpetual Care: Catholic cemeteries commit to the long-term spiritual and physical upkeep of the grounds as a corporal work of mercy.
| St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Cemetery | Monaghan Road and Lansdowne Street West, Peterborough, ON
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| Highland Park Cemetery (Catholic Extension) | 2510 Bensfort Road, Peterborough, ON. In 1979, a dedicated section of this cemetery was officially consecrated by the Bishop of Peterborough to serve as a sacred extension of St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery. It accommodates standard monument plots as well as columbarium niches for cremation urns. |
| St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery | 233 Lindsay Street South, Lindsay, ON |
| Hastings Roman Catholic Cemetery | Asphodel-Norwood Township |
| Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Cemetery | 1380 Mount Carmel Cemetery Road in Asphodel-Norwood Township. |
| Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Cemetery (Havelock) | 840 Old Norwood Road, Havelock, ON K0L 1Z0 |
| St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery (Youngs Point) | Concession 12, Lot 36 in Youngs Point, Peterborough County. |
| St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery (Chandos) | Chandos, Peterborough County. |
| St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Cemetery | Cobourg, ON |
| Saint Patrick’s Galway Roman Catholic Cemetery | Galway and Cavendish, Peterborough County |
| Saint Martin of Tours Parish Cemetery (Current) | 513 Ennis Road, Ennismore, ON. |
| St. Martin R.C. Pioneer Cemetery (Historic) | The original historic burial grounds for the area’s early Catholic settlers. It was located across Tara Road and closed to new burials around 1904. |
| Saint Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery | 300 County Road 8, Douro-Dummer, ON. |
| St. Aloysius and Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery (Fenelon Falls) | 13 Bulmer Road, Fenelon Falls, ON. |
| Holy Rosary Cemetery / St. Alphonsus Cemetery (Wooler) | 118 County Road 5, Wooler, ON (Quinte West / Hastings County border). |
| St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery (Chandos) | Concession 13, Lot 11, Chandos Township, ON (North Peterborough County, near Apsley). |
| St. Mary’s Cemetery (Port Hope) | 130 Toronto Road, Port Hope, ON. |
| St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery (Victoria Road) | Lot 3, Concession 3, Bexley Township, ON (Victoria Road, Kawartha Lakes). |
| Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery (Active) | 320 Brunel Road, Huntsville, ON. |
| St. Mary’s Pioneer Cemetery (Historic) | Concession 13, Lot 14, Huntsville, ON. |
Selecting a Burial Plot
Consider how your family wishes to gather and remember in the years to come.
- Single Graves: Individual plots ideal for a single traditional burial.
- Companion Plots: Double-depth or side-by-side plots designed for couples.
- Family Estates: Designated areas secured for multiple generations of a family.
- Cremation Niches: Holy spaces within a mausoleum or columbarium for the respectful placement of cremated remains, upholding Catholic teaching on the dignity of the body.
A tombstone or monument is a permanent testament to a life lived in Christ and a beacon of hope for those who visit.
- Inscriptions: Combine your loved one’s name and dates with brief, powerful expressions of faith, such as “Resting in the Arms of Jesus” or “Until We Meet Again in Glory.”
- Catholic Symbolism: Personalize the stone with sacred imagery like the Crucifix, the Alpha and Omega, the Chi-Rho, or a comforting image of the Good Shepherd.
- Scripture Verses: Engrave timeless words of promise, such as John 11:25 (“I am the resurrection and the life”) or Psalm 23.
Cultivating a Living Memorial: The Small Burial Garden
Bringing life and beauty to the graveside provides comfort and honors God’s creation. Many families choose to plant a small, intentional garden space at the plot.
- Marian Flowers: Plant marigolds (Mary’s Gold), lilies (representing purity and the resurrection), or roses (associated with Our Lady).
- Perennial Hope: Choose low-maintenance perennials like hostas or bleeding hearts that bloom year after year, symbolizing eternal life.
- Evergreens: Small evergreen shrubs offer a reminder of constant, unchanging love through every season.
- A Space to Pray: If space allows, incorporate a small stone bench or a visual focal point, like a statue of St. Joseph or a patron saint, to anchor your prayer time.
Words of Comfort for Your Journey
In moments of grief, the Catholic faith offers profound consolation through the mystery of Easter.
- The Promise of Resurrection: Death is not an end, but a gateway to eternal fellowship with God. We do not grieve as those without hope.
- The Communion of Saints: Your connection to your loved one is not broken. Through prayer and the Holy Mass, we remain united across the veil of death.
- A Place of Comfort: The cemetery is not merely a place of mourning, but a holy sanctuary where we await the fulfillment of Christ’s promises.
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.”
To assist you with funeral plans, talk with your Pastor, the Parish Office, or the funeral home.