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The Roman Catholic Cemeteries of Alexandria-Cornwall are sacred places where we honor our faithful departed in the light of the Resurrection. Below you will find answers to common questions about Catholic burial, cemetery options, and our local practices.
Q1: Who may be buried in the Roman Catholic Cemeteries of Alexandria-Cornwall?
A: Our cemeteries are consecrated for the burial of those who are baptized Roman Catholics. However, non-Catholic family members may also be interred here, provided their burial is consistent with the respect and dignity of Catholic tradition.
Q2: Why does the Church encourage burial in a Catholic Cemetery?
A: Burial in a Catholic Cemetery expresses our faith in the Resurrection and provides a sacred place for prayer and remembrance. It affirms the Church’s care for the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and ensures the deceased are laid to rest in blessed ground.
Q3: Does the Catholic Church allow cremation?
A: Yes. Since 1963, the Church has permitted cremation, provided it is not chosen for reasons contrary to Christian belief. The cremated remains must be buried or entombed in a sacred place—they should not be scattered, divided, or kept at home.
Q4: Can we have a Funeral Mass if cremation takes place?
A: Yes. A Funeral Mass may be celebrated before or after cremation. The Church encourages that the body be present for the funeral whenever possible. If cremation occurs first, the cremated remains may also be brought to church for the liturgy.
Q5: What burial options are available in the Diocese’s cemeteries?
A: Our cemeteries offer traditional in-ground burials and columbarium niches for cremated remains. Family plots are also available in most locations.
Q6: Can more than one person be buried in the same grave?
A: Yes. Depending on the plot size and local bylaws, one casket and two cremation urns—or three urns and no casket—may share a grave.
Q7: Are there special sections for infants, clergy, or religious?
A: Yes. Certain cemeteries within the Diocese include dedicated areas for infants, children, clergy, and religious communities, reflecting the Church’s care for all its members.
Q8: Can I purchase a plot or niche in advance?
A: Yes. Pre-arranging your interment provides peace of mind, allows you to choose a preferred location, and secures current pricing. Our staff can help you make these arrangements in accordance with your wishes and faith.
Q9: What documents are required at the time of burial?
A: We require a valid burial permit, interment rights certificate, and authorization from the interment rights holder. Your funeral home or parish can help you prepare these documents.
Q10: What does it mean to purchase “interment rights”?
A: In Ontario, you do not own the land itself. You purchase the right to be buried (interment rights) in a specific grave, crypt, or niche under the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 (FBCSA).
Q11: Can we choose our own headstone or monument?
A: Yes, within the cemetery’s design and safety guidelines. Monuments must include Christian symbols and respect Catholic tradition. Our staff can assist with size and material requirements.
Q12: Who maintains the cemetery grounds?
A: The Roman Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall provide perpetual care, which covers the ongoing maintenance of roads, lawns, trees, and general landscaping.
Q13: Can we leave flowers or decorations on graves?
A: Fresh flowers and seasonal decorations are welcome, especially around memorial days and holidays. However, for safety and maintenance reasons, non-approved or permanent items may need to be removed periodically.
Q14: What are the visiting hours?
A: Our cemeteries are open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, weather permitting. Please respect these hours and the quiet nature of the sacred grounds.
Q15: Are pets allowed in the cemetery?
A: Out of respect for the sacred grounds, pets are not permitted, with the exception of certified service animals.
Q16: Can we hold a prayer or graveside service at the cemetery?
A: Yes. Graveside services, blessings, and committal prayers are welcome. Arrangements can be made through your parish priest or funeral director.
Q17: Are the cemeteries blessed or consecrated?
A: Yes. Each Catholic Cemetery within the Diocese is blessed by a bishop or priest, dedicating the grounds to God and the Christian faithful.
Q18: Do the cemeteries have memorial Masses?
A: Notre-Dame and Nativity Cemetery offer annual memorials in September each year.
What is Cremation?
Cremation is the process of reducing the human body to bone fragments using high heat and flame. Cremation is not the final disposition of the remains, nor is it a type of funeral service.
Is a casket needed for Cremation?
No, a casket is not required, most provinces require an alternative container constructed of wood or cardboard, however, in some provinces no container is required.
Is embalming required prior to cremation?
No.
Can the body be viewed without embalming?
Yes, most crematories allow immediate family members to briefly view the deceased prior to cremation.
Can the family witness the cremation?
Yes they can; some cremation providers will allow family members to be present when the body is placed in the cremation chamber. Some religious groups even include this as part of their funeral custom.
Can an urn be brought into church?
Most Catholic Churches also allow the remains to be present during the Memorial Mass. It is encouraged that cremated remains be a part of a funeral as it provides a focal point for the service.
What can be done with the cremated remains?
While laws vary province to province, for the most part remains can be buried in a cemetery lot or a cremation garden, interred in a columbarium, kept at home or scattered.
How can I be sure I receive the correct remains?
All reputable cremation providers have developed rigorous sets of operating policies and procedures in order to maximize the level of service and minimize the potential for human error. Since it is illegal to perform more than one cremation at a time, and the vast majority of crematories can only cremate one body at a time, it is next to impossible to receive the incorrect remains.
How long does the actual cremation take?
It all depends on the weight of the individual. For an average sized adult, cremation can take two to three hours at a normal operating temperature of between 1,000 and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
What do the cremated remains look like?
Cremated remains resemble coarse sand and are whitish to light grey in color. The remains of an average sized adult usually weighs between 7 and 8 pounds.
Are all the cremated remains returned?
With the exception of minute and microscopic particles, which are impossible to remove from the cremation chamber and processing machine, all of the cremated remains are given back to the family.
Do I need an urn?
An urn is not required by law. However, an urn may be desired if there is to be a memorial service or if the remains are to be interred in a cemetery. If an urn is not purchased or provided by the family, the cremated remains will be returned in a temporary plastic container.
Roman Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall
Notre-Dame Cemetery – 17945 South Branch Road, Stormont, ON
📞 Phone: 613-933-4331
📧 Email: cemeteries@alexandria-cornwall.ca
🌐 Website: notre-damecemetery.com