Your Options - About Ground Burial

The Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Hamilton has 14 cemeteries (nine Diocesan and five parish cemeteries) where ground burials take place. Ground burials are still the most common form of interment.

Graves are usually dug to a depth of six feet, or eight feet if the grave is intended to hold two caskets. A grave liner is then inserted, into which the casket is placed at the time of committal. In the majority of cases, a grave is marked with either an upright monument or a flat marker.

In some parts of the world, graves are temporary - after a period of time, remains are removed to make room for new graves. This is not the case in Canada - the cemeteries and mausolea operated by the Diocese of Hamilton provide permanent resting places.

Process

Most people who contact the Catholic Cemeteries have an idea of which cemetery they'd like to be buried in, or plan to select for a deceased loved one. For those who aren't sure which cemetery they want, family counselors will provide tours and information about the various cemeteries available.

The lot that is selected is opened the day before or the day of the funeral. During the Rite of Committal, the casket is suspended on straps above the grave. After mourners have left the cemetery, the casket is lowered, and the grave filled in. The grave is leveled and covered with topsoil and seed within a few months of the burial.

At the time the lot is selected, or some time after the funeral, our counselors can help you select a memorial, e.g. upright monument or marker, and will also provide information about other options for memorialization such as trees or benches.

Memorials

A memorial is the marker at a gravesite, which is either an upright monument or a ground-level marker.

The Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of Hamilton sell both monuments and markers or they may be purchased elsewhere.

An upright monument can usually be placed at a gravesite within eight to 10 weeks, although that timeframe can change depending on the kind of monument that is ordered and whether a foundation is in place. Sculptures or other more detailed memorials may take longer.

A ground-level bronze or granite marker can usually be installed within six to eight weeks. At times of the year when the ground is frozen, installations may take longer.

Families can purchase a temporary grave marker, which is placed within five working days of the interment.

A new option for families, in addition to a memorial, is a memorial tree or bench located near the gravesite. A memorial plaque with the name of the deceased is placed on the tree or bench.

Grave Liners

Grave liners are strongly recommended for all of the Catholic cemeteries in the Diocese of Hamilton. Using a grave liner creates a secure surrounding for the casket, with little chance of the grave settling or sinking over the years.

A grave liner is a concrete container that is inserted into the open grave. The casket is then put inside that concrete box, and a concrete liner lid is installed to completely enclose the casket. The grave is then filled in.

Grave liners are often sold by funeral homes as part of a package with a casket. The Catholic Cemeteries also sells a very reasonably-priced grave liner.

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