The Catholic church recognizes the many emotions that family members experience when facing the deat
h of a loved one. Surrounded by family and friends, accompanied by the prayers and sacraments of the Church, the time of death can be a graced moment when faith and family bonds are strengthened.
With this foundational understanding, the church encourages communication among family members well in advance of the need to make funeral and cemetery arrangements.
Those with responsibility for Catholic cemeteries uniformly encourage all families to consider the purchase of grave, crypt or niche spaces well in advance of need.