Cemetery

Our Parish has had a cemetery since the mid 1850’s. The original cemetery area encompasses about 6 acres containing just over 3000 graves and 5 columbaria. However, this cemetery area behind the rectory "sold out" nearly 5 years ago.

Realizing the parish and community need for a Catholic cemetery was still apparent, a second cemetery area was opened in the late summer 2011, adding another 5+ acres and 3300+ graves.

For the inurnment of cremains, we have 5 columbaria for above-ground inurnment and a limited number of in-ground lots for their in-ground burial.

As required by the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Rules of Corporation for the parish, we maintain a perpetual care fund to assure the maintenance and care of the cemetery now and in the future.

For more information on:

Burials

Cremation

Columbarium

Costs

FAQ's

If you would like information about the cemetery or columbaria please contact:

Joyce Thaler
Tuesdays and Wednesdays only
410-256-1630
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Burials

Christian burial is a long standing tradition of the Church. Usually a mass precedes the burial which brings together family and friends to celebrate the life of the deceased. (See Funeral for details.) Burial can be at the parish cemetery or any cemetery of the family’s choosing.

Our parish is fortunate enough to have a cemetery. It dates back to the 1850’s. Our summer 2011 expansion allows St. Joseph’s to provide for its families and others, a sacred place for Catholic burial. Most people purchase graves/lots in advance as one does pre-planning arrangements. Lots can be purchased by contacting the Director of Cemetery Management at the parish office to set up an appointment. A Certificate of Ownership* is given when the grave/lot is paid in full. A lot’s ownership is also registered in the parish records.

When making arrangements with one’s funeral director, a vault or liner is purchased for the burial. A memorial or plaque to mark the grave with one’s name etc. may be purchased at a local purveyor. They will notify us and the foundation will be readied for installation.

* The Certificate of Ownership was developed by the attorneys for the Archdiocese who maintains ownership of the cemetery property in the name of the Archbishop and Pastor. Certain "Rights of Sepulcher...conditions, and stipulations" are part of the agreement with the parish when one acquires a cemetery lot. Below is a list of these rights and conditions which are written into the formal Certificate of Ownership.

FIRST: To use each lot and grave solely for the interment of human remains subject to the rules and regulations of the party of the first part now in force or hereinafter adopted and to the laws of the State of Maryland and Baltimore County now in force or hereinafter enacted with respect to St. Joseph's Cemetery or cemeteries in general. All graves must be bricked, walled or contain a concrete liner or purchased vault. No wooden boxes will be permitted in any grave. Access to St. Joseph's Cemetery shall be limited to daylight hours; access at all other hours shall be prohibited.

SECOND: No interment shall be permitted unless it is for the person named in this certificate, a person authorized by the certificate holder or a person entitled to interment in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.

THIRD: No interment; no installation of a vault, monument, or memorial and no work of any kind shall be permitted with respect to any lot or grave unless the lot has been fully paid for and the party of the first part has, in its sole discretion, approved the same.

FOURTH: All vaults, monuments, memorials, headstones, crosses or figures shall be erected only after same are approved by the party of the first part in sole discretion and shall be so placed as not to encroach upon any other lot or walkway in the Cemetery and the party of the first shall have the right at any time to remove or have removed any that do encroach. Also, the party of the first part shall have the right to remove any monument, memorial or any inscription on same which is installed without approval of the party of the first part and is deemed to be improper or inappropriate in the sole discretion of the party of the first part. The party of the first part assumes no responsibility for the safe condition or maintenance of any monument, memorial or headstone; for any damage due to the elements or vandalism or for the removal or damage to any vase.

FIFTH: No fence, railing or other enclosure of any kind shall be permitted to be erected on, about or around said lot. No tree, shrub or flowers shall be planted.

SIXTH: The right of sepulcher granted by this Certificate is not transferable except with the written consent of the party of the first part and all such transfers shall be subject to the conditions, rules and regulations set forth herein and any charges as may be assessed from time to time by the party of the first part.

SEVENTH: The party of the first part agrees to cut the grass and to reseed the lot at such times as it, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate. No holder of a Certificate shall have the right to cut, trim or remove any tree, plant, shrub or flowers located within St. Joseph's Cemetery.

EIGHTH: It is understood and agreed that the ownership, management, operation and control of St. Joseph's Cemetery is with St. Joseph's, Fullerton, Roman Catholic Congregation.

Cremation
Cremation became a well discussed topic for the Catholic Church in the United States during the second half of the twentieth century. The practice, discouraged by the Church for centuries and for a time formally forbidden, is now permitted.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, citing the 1983 Code of Cannon Law, states the "the Church permits cremation, provided that it does not demonstrate a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body" (CCC, no, 2301). An Appendix (Appendix 2) was recently added to the·0rder of Christian Funerals (OCF)·approved for use in the diocese of the United States that provides liturgical guidelines for funeral services when the cremated remains are present.

The basic premise is that the cremated remains are treated with the same respect given to the human body from which they came. From these documents the faithful are permitted to consider cremation as an alternative method of burial.

Columbarium
Use of a columbarium, a vault with niches for urns containing ashes of the dead, has come about in the United States in recent years, due to the need to more efficiently use cemetery space available in parish and diocesan cemeteries. Ground is a limited commodity. Europe and parts of Asia have had to use cremation along with multi-urn mausoleums and columbaria for centuries.

With the permitting of cremation by the Church, entombment in a mausoleum or columbarium has become a widespread practice. It should be noted that the Church· does not permit the "scattering the ashes". A respectful and proper burial is required so that the human remains are treated as a "temple of the Holy Spirit."

Costs

Of course the question of costs arises as one plans for the future. Graves/lots in our cemetery or niches in the columbaria can be purchased by contacting the Director of Cemetery Management at the parish office to set up an appointment. Additionally there is a cost for opening the niche or grave. Perpetual care is included in the purchase price of a grave or niche.

Other costs involved with burial include a stipend to the parish for the service, including music if there is a funeral mass. This may be included when planning with your funeral director.

FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)

Where is the “new” cemetery?

You may have seen the construction going on in May through July, 2011. It was completed on July 29, 2011. It is the area behind the church’s back parking lot, beyond the athletic field. It is connected to the old cemetery via a linking road.

What area of the “new” cemetery will the parish be selling?

We will be selling graves/lots in the front section, Resurrection, first. This section has 519 graves.

What is the difference between a “lot” and a “grave” and a “plot”?

A “lot” is made up of graves. Typically a “lot” is an area with 2 graves, side by side. This can be referred to as a “double” or “double lot”. This would be what a couple would likely purchase. We do have “single lots”. This would be one grave for a single person.
A “grave” is defined by Webster as “the hole in the ground for burial”. Very basic.
The term “plot” can be used in place of “lot” but our paperwork uses the term “lot”.

Can I bury two remains in one grave?

We do not bury two caskets in one grave. However, two cremains or one cremains and one casket can be buried in one grave, in some situations.

What are the costs involved and is there financing available?

Pricing and fees can be requested by contacting the Director of Cemetery Management.
1/3 down at the time of the contract with the remainder due within 90 days. We only take cash or check; sorry no credit cards.
At the time of need, there is an opening fee for a grave. This cannot be prepaid. Payment is made to the parish by you or your funeral director when the lot is opened.
The only other costs involving the parish are for the actual service—a funeral mass, prayers, and/or graveside service. Again these cannot be prepaid.
If arrangements are made by the family with the parish directly, all fees must be paid at least one day in advance of services.

What papers will I receive?

You will receive a Certificate of Ownership to keep with your important papers, when your account is paid in full. This certificate designates the owner(s) and explains the restrictions and guidelines for our parish cemetery as required by the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the parish. (A copy is on line at www.stjoefullerton.org, Quicklinks, Cemetery Information, for your review.) Your purchase will also be recorded in the parish records and cemetery database for all future references.

Can I transfer or sell my lot(s) at a later time if something changes?

Graves/Lot(s) can be transferred by contacting the Director of Cemetery Management at the parish office. There are some legal requirements to make this happen.
Graves/Lot(s) cannot be sold by an “owner” to a private party. As a "parish cemetery" the property is owned by the Archdiocese of Baltimore, an “owner” can only sell the lot back to the parish. It is sold back at the purchase price, no matter how long the graves/lot(s) were held by an “owner”. Graves/Lots where memorial stones have been placed cannot be sold back to the parish.

Inquire about costs at the parish office by contacting the Director of Cemetery Management.