More than a Place of Rest: A Community of Faith
A Catholic Cemetery is not just a place to be buried – it offers community and communion. Being laid to rest among fellow believers symbolizes the unity of the Church—the Communion of Saints—and reflects the belief that the faithful, living and deceased, remain connected in Christ.
Why Catholic Cemeteries?
Consecrated Ground
Catholic Cemeteries are blessed and dedicated according to Church rites, making the land sacred. This reflects the belief that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and should be treated with reverence, even after death.
Spiritual Significance
They are intended as places of prayer, reflection, and hope. Burial in a Catholic cemetery is seen as a final act of the Church’s care for its members, surrounding the deceased with prayer and the promise of resurrection.
Rite of Christian Burial
Only Catholic cemeteries ensure that burials follow the Rite of Committal, which is part of the overall Rite of Christian Burial, including blessings, Scripture, and prayers.
Continuity with Catholic Tradition
Being buried in a Catholic cemetery affirms the deceased’s lifelong faith and union with the Church. It’s an expression of “resting in peace” among fellow believers while awaiting the resurrection.
Inclusion of Religious Symbols and Art
Catholic cemeteries often feature religious statues, crucifixes, Stations of the Cross, and chapels, creating a spiritually rich and peaceful environment for loved ones to visit and pray.
The Rockford Cemeteries Team
Andrew Forbes
Field Superintendent
Esmeralda Mora
Family Service Representative
Ken Giambalvo
Director of Cemeteries
Marci Perez-Giambalvo
Family Service Representative
Monica Sifuentes
Family Service Representative
Myra Vizcarra
Family Service Representative
Tatiana Mandujano
Family Service Representative
Todd Endress
Field Superintendent