Catholic Burial Options in NJ

The first act of the Catholic funeral service is the wake. This is held for two or three days before the funeral itself. Here Catholics hold a vigil service to pray for the deceased’s soul, as well as give their eulogies, since these are not allowed during the mass. The funeral mass, the second part of the service, is traditionally held in a church, though sometimes it may also be held at the funeral home. Funerals are typically somber and respectful, and guests wear black clothing. Catholic funerals are usually not held on Sundays, as this day is reserved for regular church services. The final part of the Catholic funeral service is the Rite of Committal. The priest will come to the deceased’s final place of rest, where he will bless the burial and give the final rites.

After the funeral rites have been held, the funeral procession begins at the church and ends at the cemetery. Memorial Properties has many options regarding the funeral procession, including what vehicle you would like the casket to be carried in. We can also drive past an important religious or sentimental location to your loved one, so they can see it one last time during their final journey on Earth.

Catholic burials are traditionally in-ground, to model Jesus Christ’s entombment when he died. According to Catholic tradition, it is preferred that the body is buried among other Catholics, to celebrate and enforce the unity of their faith. Memorial Properties offersgroup burial programsfor churches and religious organizations if you or your loved one wish to be buried with your religious family and friends. Many Catholics are also buried above-ground, which can be a more cost-effective option than an in-ground burial. Above-ground interments are usually in a community or private mausoleum, where the remains are stored in a dry place. You can choose to decorate the spot with religious items, sprinkle holy water, hold a prayer vigil, and more.

It is a common misconception that Catholics do not allow cremation. In fact, cremation is becoming an increasingly common practice. After the deceased is cremated, they are then memorialized either in-ground or above-ground in cremation niches. The Catholic Church stipulates that cremated ashes should not be scattered – rather, that they are entombed just like their religious brothers and sisters. We offer a special Community Bible Niche inside our chapel for those that want to be with others of the same religious faith.