Fort Wayne Catholic Cemetery
The Catholic Cemetery, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a hallowed and historic final resting place. Founded in the 19th century, it spans a 175-acre peaceful landscape, evoking a sense of serenity and reverence for those who have passed on. The cemetery is dedicated to providing dignified Catholic funeral ceremonies.
Moreover, the Catholic Cemetery is committed to the ongoing care of burial sites, paying homage to the past and serving the present. We offer both traditional in-ground burials and cremation options, along with a wide selection of monuments and memorials.
-
Burial Options
Ground Burial
Beautiful ground burial options are available at our Catholic Cemetery. The sacred gardens are a place of hope where Catholic symbols are displayed with dignity and reverence. These quiet places are the perfect setting for private meditation, prayer, or a peaceful walk. There are a variety of memorialization options available. From flat grave markers to upright monuments and statuary, families can design meaningful and lasting tributes to loved ones.
Mausoleum Entombment / Garden Crypts
Mausoleum crypts are available for above-ground burial either in climate-controlled buildings or outside garden buildings.
Community mausoleum facilities make above-ground burial surprisingly affordable. Mausoleum entombment is very comparable in cost to ground burial, and in many instances can be less.
Resurrection Mausoleum
Resurrection Mausoleum is the oldest Catholic community mausoleum in the United States. Originally completed in 1918, the building has been remodeled, restored and reconditioned over the century, and the chapel is now one of the most beautiful interment chapels in the Fort Wayne area.
The Saint John Neumann Garden Crypt
The garden crypt dedicated to St. John Neumann is the third of several such units planned for the beautifully landscaped Catholic Cemetery of Fort Wayne. This unit provides 288 exterior crypt spaces.
Blessed Mother Theodore Guerin Mausoleum / Garden Crypt and Chapel
Dedicated in May 2001 by Bishop John M. D’Arcy, this Mausoleum/Garden Crypt and Chapel were dedicated to Blessed Mother Theodore Guerin. It is the fourth of such units planned for the beautifully landscaped Catholic Cemetery. This beautiful structure provides burial space for 564 people.
Personalized Private Estates
Private mausoleum estates serve as an exclusive and lasting tribute to your family for many generations. Constructed from beautiful solid granite a variety of distinctively designed personal mausoleums are available and can provide for the entombment of one to sixteen family members.
Private Family Ground Burial Estates
The family estates are unique and individualized tributes to you and your family. Estates can range from four spaces to hundreds – all in one beautiful location.
Cremation Options
The Catholic Cemeteries offer the following options for those choosing cremation.
Niches
An above-ground burial crypt, sized for an urn containing the cremated remains of the body and allowing for identification and remembrance.
Graves
Smaller-sized graves allow for a grave marker to be placed identifying and remembering the deceased.
Reflections on Cremation
The Catholic Church requires the cremated remains to be buried or entombed in a family grave, urn garden, or columbarium. Scattering or keeping cremated remains in the home are not reverent forms of disposition that the Church approves.
The Church requires that the cremated remains be housed in one urn. Therefore, designer keepsake urns, such as jewelry, are not acceptable in Catholic funeral practices. We offer a wide variety of memorial urns that are suitable for burial or entombment. Most urns can be engraved.
-
Catholic Funeral Rites
The Vigil:
This rite is celebrated by the Christian Community in the time following the death and before the funeral liturgy. It is a time when loved ones show their respect and greet the family and friends of the deceased. It is also the most ideal time to share the memories of the deceased through a eulogy or video tribute, usually held at the funeral home the day before the Funeral Mass. During the vigil, the Rosary is often recited for the deceased.
Funeral Mass:
This is the central liturgical celebration held with the deceased’s body present at church. Part of the Catholic belief is that those who follow the way of Jesus shall forever be in heaven, body and soul, in the presence of God. We believe in the bodily resurrection. Also, the Church honors the body because it has been the temple of the Holy Spirit. It was the body that was baptized, which began our relationship with God. Therefore, the Church says that the body should be present at the funeral rites. If cremation is selected, the Church prefers that the body be present at the Mass.
Rite of Committal:
This rite is the final act of our faith community in caring for the body of its deceased member. By our presence at this rite, we help the mourners face the end of one relationship with the deceased and the beginning of a new one based on prayerful remembrance, gratitude, and the hope of resurrection and reunion. The celebration, whenever possible, takes place not in a cemetery chapel but at the open grave or place of interment. The act of committal expresses that the grave, once a sign of despair, is now, through Christ’s own death and Resurrection, a sign of hope and promise
-
Funeral Etiquette
The accepted customs of dress and behavior in funeral homes have changed over time, but courtesy never goes out of style.
Listed below are the general guidelines regarding funeral etiquette.Making the Most of a Difficult Time Like Death
It is important to know what religious, ethnic, or personal considerations you need to take into account when it comes to dealing with the death of a loved one. It is also important to be respectful of close family members. If you make a visit during the calling hours, do not feel that your stay needs to be lengthy. A brief appearance is acceptable.
Offer an Expression of Sympathy
Sometimes we are at a loss for words when encountering something as final as death. Simply saying “I’m so sorry for your loss” is usually enough. Be respectful and listen alternatively when spoken to and offer your own words of condolence.
More Tips
- Always sign the register book.
- Find out the dress code.
- Give a gift.
- Don’t feel that you have to view the deceased in an open casket.
- Don’t be afraid to laugh.
- Don’t allow your children to be a disturbance.
- Don’t forget to turn off your cell phone.
- Keep in touch.
-
Decorating Guidelines
Grounds Decorating
The information listed below is provided to preserve the integrity of the cemetery, protect the sacredness of its grounds, and provide safety to those who visit. We respectfully request your cooperation in following these regulations, which apply for the mutual protection and benefit of all lot holders, visitors, and employees of the cemetery.
April 1st – November 20th
- In ground burial sections, please place natural or silk decorations in an inverted metal vase which may be obtained at the cemetery office. Concrete urns may be used in mausoleum and columbarium garden areas.
- The maximum height for decorations is 22”.
- We ask that you do not use glassware, pottery, shepherd crooks, or metal cans as these items can cause serious injury to visitors and employees when coming in contact with mowing equipment.
- Do not plant shrubs or flowers without approval from the Superintendent of the cemetery.
- Only one decoration per interment site is permitted.
- All vases that are not in use will be inverted or removed.
- Please do not bring pets, alcoholic beverages, firearms, or fireworks into the cemetery.
- Statues must not be taller than 33” or weigh more than 20 pounds.
- Flower saddles are allowed on monuments only.
- The cemetery reserves the right to remove unsightly decorations.
- Please be advised that the cemetery is not responsible for theft or the deterioration of any decoration or statuary. Further, the cemetery does not warrant metal vases.
- American Flags may be placed 2 days prior, the day of, and 2 days following Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Veteran’s Day. The flags will be removed by cemetery personnel and retained for use the following year.
November 21st – March 14th
- Christmas wreaths are permitted and are available at the cemetery office. We ask that all wreaths be secured to a wire easel.
- Grave blankets are not permitted.
March 15th – March 31st — Annual Cleanup
- Please do not decorate during this period.
- All decorations will be removed, and statues will remain.
- All vases will be inverted.
-
History
Catholic Cemetery History
175 Acres of Beautiful, Consecrated Grounds
The Catholic Cemetery provides services to the Catholic families of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Inc. not only by making available resting places for their deceased members but also by providing pre-need services such as opening/closing of graves, granite memorials, vaults, final dates, vases/urns, Christmas wreaths, and so on.
This is all done at its 175-acre facility located at 3500 Lake Avenue in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Catholic Cemetery was established in 1873 by Bishop Joseph Dwenger and had its first regular burial in November of that year. The Catholic Cemetery Association was organized in April 1893 and was directed by Bishop Joseph Rademacher in 1894 to run the Catholic Cemetery. In May 1994, Bishop John M. D’Arcy reorganized the Catholic Cemetery Association in order to take advantage of the 1991 Indiana Non-Profit Corporation Act and to be in conformity with Canon Law. It is now the Catholic Cemetery Association of Fort Wayne, Inc. d/b/a Catholic Cemetery Association, Inc.
As a result, the Bishop of the Diocese is now ex officio Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Board, in turn, with the approval of the Bishop, hires the Superintendent who is responsible for the overall management of the Cemetery and hires its personnel. The Cemetery staff also takes care of Saint Leo Catholic Cemetery in Leo, Indiana, and Saint Michael Catholic Cemetery at Pierr Settlement off St. Joe Center Road in the far Northeast corner of Fort Wayne.
The Superintendent has organized the Cemetery with a Grounds Foreman, who oversees the groundskeepers, and a Senior Service Counselor (Sales Manager) who handles counseling and sales, and with an office staff.
-
Why Choose a Catholic Funeral?
As Catholics, we are blessed with the promise of life everlasting. To be with our Lord in Heaven, we are baptized, follow His word, and keep Him in our hearts throughout our journey on earth. At death, we trust our bodies to a sacred Catholic funeral, to be prepared for the Resurrection. Because we know God created us in His own image and likeness, we honor our bodies with respect and dignity, in life and in death.
With the Catholic funeral Mass, our Church and family pray for the souls of the deceased, in hopes that God will prepare a place for them in His fullness and light. We pray also to provide condolence and comfort to those left behind.
For more than 100 years, it has been the sacred duty of Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Homes to care for families in their time of need. When a death occurs, or you are ready to preplan a Catholic funeral, we’ll be here to comfort and serve you.
The Catholic funeral affirms many sacred beliefs, including:
- The sanctity of all human life
- The dignity of the person
- The resurrection of Jesus Christ and of his faithful followers
- Death is an occasion to comfort, grieve, and embrace human mortality
- The respect that is to be shown for the bodies of the dead
- The importance of remembering the dead and offering prayers for them
- The need for the Church to provide a ministry of consolation to those who mourn
