Our annual outdoor Masses for the Faithful Departed in our Catholic cemeteries are coming up!
- Mount Olivet Cemetery, Mumford Rd, Halifax on Saturday, August 9 at 10:00am
In the event of rain, the Mass will be celebrated at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church, 1725 Oxford St
- Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Beaverbank Rd, Lr. Sackville, Wednesday, August 13 at 7:00pm
In the event of rain, the Mass will be celebrated at Saint John Vianney Church, 4 Beaverbank Rd
Because these Masses are outdoors, attendees are asked to please bring their own chair. All are welcome!
The final cemetery Mass for 2025 will be on September 15 at Holy Cross Cemetery, South Park St., Halifax, at 5:00pm 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
Parish Cemeteries Operational Policies

Click here (pdf) for the Parish Cemeteries Operational Policies (updated 2024)
Catholic Cemeteries of Halifax Contact
Christine Spears
Cemetery Lead
Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
(902) 429-9800 Ext. 308
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
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.
download: English (pdf) French (pdf)
