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Masses for the Faithful Departed

Each summer the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth host Masses at our Catholic cemeteries to offer  people the opportunity to remember their loved ones buried there.  This year’s Masses for the Faithful Departed are scheduled for:

  • Mount Olivet Cemetery, Mumford Rd, Halifax on Saturday, August 9 at 10:00am
  • Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Beaverbank Rd, Lr. Sackville, Wednesday, August 13 at 7:00pm
  • Holy Cross Cemetery, South Park St., Halifax, Monday, September 15 at 5:00pm

Please note: The Masses at Mount Olivet and Gate of Heaven are outdoors and attendees are asked to please bring their own chair. The Mass at Holy Cross will happen in the Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel that sits in the middle of the cemetery.  

If you have any questions or would like more information please contact Christine Spears at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Gate of Heaven Cemetery

Located in Lower Sackville opening in 1938, the cemetery is 31 rolling acres of land for traditional and cremation burials for our beloved departed.

Holy Cross Cemetery

Located in Halifax opening in 1843, houses the chapel built in one day and is the resting place of many historical and Irish families.

Mount Olivet Cemetery

Located in Halifax opening in 1896. Those buried in the cemetery include people from the Titanic, the Halifax Explosion, and both the World Wars.

 

Archdiocesan Funeral Guidelines

Archbishop Mancini in collaboration with the clergy, religious and lay faithful of our Church of IMG 2500 webHalifax-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.

download:             English (pdf)                          French (pdf)