Catholic Cemeteries of Halifax

Our Catholic Cemeteries have a two-fold purpose in the Community. They provide a permanent resting place for the mortal remains of our beloved dead and they are a comfort and inspiration to the living as a sign of the faithful that have passed before us and have entrusted this faith to the next generation of Catholics. They offer a comforting environment in which love for family and friends is remembered, hope is rekindled, and faith is awakened, renewed and strengthened. Faith and hope in our own resurrection are to be focal points in the way we celebrate the passing of a person from this life to the next. We celebrate with respect the earthly journey of someone who has been created in God’s image, has been baptized and redeemed through Christ’s death and resurrection, and who now has reached the promised destination, not the terminal point of one’s existence.

The Catholic Cemetery is a sacred place; it is holy ground where our faithful departed await the resurrection to eternal life. This is why the grounds of the cemetery are cared for and made as attractive as possible, maintained in this way as a sign of respect for the dead who rest in peace. The special respect we accord to the faithful departed and the places where they rest remind us of our hope of joyfully greeting them again, when we will be with them and the Lord forever. Many of our older parishes have cemeteries on or near the grounds of the church, providing the opportunity to visit family graves when we visit the parish church. In the Halifax area, the Catholic Cemeteries of Halifax is responsible for three cemeteries: Gate of Heaven on Old Sackville Road in Lower Sackville, Holy Cross on South Park Street in downtown Halifax, and Mount Olivet on Mumford Road, Halifax.

Services Offered by the Catholic Cemeteries of Halifax

Burial Information
To meet today’s needs; niches for the committal of cremated remains and a cremation garden are available at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Halifax. A cremation garden is available at Holy Cross Cemetery, Halifax and a columbarium for cremation as well as traditional burials are available at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville. Burials are available all year round.

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Archdiocesan Funeral Guidelines

Archbishop Mancini in collaboration with the clergy, religious and lay faithful of our Church of IMG 2500 web Halifax-Yarmouth prepared the document on Catholic funerals in the Archdiocese of Halifax Yarmouth. The document is titled "Catholic Funerals: Theological and Pastoral Considerations".

The document touches on the frequent experience in our faith communities that funerals draw people with diverse connections to the Catholic faith or faith in general. Liturgical options, specifically the separation of the Funeral Rite (Order of Christian Funerals) and the celebration of the Eucharist, can facilitate a fuller involvement of mourners at Catholic funerals. As well new opportunities are presented to evangelize and catechized a Christian understanding of life, death and resurrection. For the faithful the opportunity to celebrate Eucharist at a memorial Mass within a short time of the funeral liturgy can be much more meaningful experience of communion.

This guidelines addresses issues like eulogies, use of Christian symbols at funerals, cremation, and the celebration of the funeral rite at funeral parlors as well as other points to assist parish personnel in the ministry to those who are grieving.

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