Catholic Cemeteries

Dear People of Hamilton Diocese,

From its earliest history, the Church has honoured the bodies of the dead by burying them in blessed ground. This respect, given to the dead, has a twofold basis in our faith, First, the body is part of God's beautiful creation, and after baptism, is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Second, we believe in the resurrection of the body that the glorified body will share in the glory of eternal life at the end of time. Therefore we honour the dead with Catholic prayers and funerals, and bury them in holy places.

In Hamilton Diocese, we are particularly fortunate to have many Catholic cemeteries which provide us with the opportunity to care for the dead with dignity and in accordance with our beliefs. I encourage you to take advantage of their presence, and make the fullest possible use of them.

Yours sincerely in Christ

Bishop of Hamilton

"Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again."

The final expression of our faith as Catholics is the blessed and sacred burial in a Catholic cemetery. It is our opportunity to rest among fellow believers, awaiting the resurrection to life everlasting in union with God.

Burial in the consecrated ground of a Catholic cemetery is an act of reverence and respect for the body which has housed our soul during our life in the brotherhood of Christ.