Michael Brooks
Catholic cemeteries have existed since the time of the early Christian Church, with the first believed to have been established after the burial of Jesus Christ's first disciple. In America, the earliest Catholic cemeteries were built on the land surrounding the first chapels of the New World, many of them in Southern Maryland. While Catholic cemeteries exist, there is no rule in canon law that prevents non-Catholics from being buried in them. However, local diocesan law may prohibit it, especially in places with limited burial space.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Catholic cemetery | Established after the burial of the first disciple of Jesus Christ |
| Earliest Catholic cemeteries in America | In the land surrounding the first chapels of the New World, many of them in Southern Maryland |
| Catholic cemeteries in the Archdiocese of Washington, Inc. | Mount Olivet Cemetery, Washington, D.C.; St. Mary’s Queen of Peace Cemetery, Helen, Maryland; St. John’s Cemetery, Forest Glen, Maryland; St. Mary’s Cemetery, Lincoln Road, Washington, D.C. |
| Non-Catholic cemeteries | The Protestant Cemetery in Rome is a private cemetery for non-Catholics, including Protestants and British people |
| Catholic canon law on burials | There is no rule against burying non-Catholics in Catholic cemeteries, but local diocesan law may prohibit it |
| Ancient non-Catholic cemeteries | Forbidden from using crosses or inscriptions until 1870 |
| Early Roman Christian cemeteries | Individual catacomb cemeteries in the vicinity of Rome |
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What You'll Learn
Canon law permits non-Catholics burial in Catholic cemeteries
Historically, pagans and Christians were buried together in public cemeteries, although they used different symbols and funerary decorations that reflected their faith. The primary influence for how the dead were treated in the early days of the Church flowed from Judaic roots. In Israel, burial of the deceased was an obligation and a work of mercy, even for one's enemies. Rabbis taught that this duty of love extended not only to fellow Jews but also to those outside Judaism.
In the United States, the earliest Catholic cemeteries were established in the land surrounding the first chapels of the New World, many of them in Southern Maryland. As the Church grew, parishes in what is now the Archdiocese of Washington, such as St. Ignatius Church in Port Tobacco, Maryland, and St. Joseph's in Pomfret, Maryland, buried their dead nearby. In 1858, Mount Olivet Cemetery was established in Washington, D.C., becoming the first central Catholic cemetery in the area to serve multiple parish communities.
Over time, as land values and other costs increased, the Archdiocese implemented a plan to provide additional centralized cemeteries to meet the burial needs of the growing suburban parishes. These included Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Lower Montgomery County, Maryland, Resurrection Cemetery in Prince George's County, Maryland, and St. Mary's Queen of Peace Cemetery in Southern Maryland. Today, the Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Washington, Inc. consists of five major cemeteries and two minor cemeteries, providing burial services to various parishes throughout the Archdiocese.
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Local diocesan law may prohibit non-Catholic burials
While there is nothing in Catholic canon law that prevents a non-Catholic from being buried in a Catholic cemetery, local diocesan law may prohibit non-Catholic burials. This is particularly relevant in places with limited burial space, where it is important to ensure that Catholics can receive a full Catholic burial.
In England, for example, the Burials Act of 1852 empowers "Burial Boards" to provide adequate graveyards. This has resulted in civil power superseding the Church's requirements in some cases. Similarly, German law has suppressed the idea of a Catholic churchyard, degrading cemeteries into mere burial grounds belonging to civil corporations.
In such cases, the Church, when opposed by civil power, often yields rather than provokes conflict. However, the decision to allow non-Catholic burials ultimately rests with the diocesan bishop, who may approve or disapprove of such burials in their diocese.
While local diocesan law may prohibit non-Catholic burials, many regions have embraced ecumenism and now permit the burial of non-Catholics in Catholic cemeteries. This is especially true for non-Catholic family members, such as spouses, children, and parents, who are generally permitted to be buried in Catholic cemeteries.
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Catholics can be buried in non-Catholic cemeteries
The Catholic Church does not prohibit Catholics from being buried in non-Catholic cemeteries. While the Church encourages burial in Catholic cemeteries, it recognises that the choice of burial place is a personal one, often influenced by family preferences. Canon Law states that "everyone...is permitted to choose the cemetery of burial".
Historically, the Church has shown flexibility in burial practices, especially when faced with legislative changes and space constraints. In Germany, for example, civil law has "suppressed" the idea of a Catholic-only churchyard, and in England, the Burials Act of 1852 empowers "Burial Boards" to provide graveyards without religious restrictions.
In the spirit of ecumenism, many regions now allow for the burial of non-Catholics in Catholic cemeteries, especially if they are family members of Catholics. This includes non-Catholic Christians with a connection to the Catholic community or a belief in the resurrection of the dead.
The Church also allows Catholics to be buried in non-Catholic cemeteries, and a Catholic priest can bless the gravesite during the committal. While some have expressed a preference for Catholic burial grounds, there is no church rule requiring this.
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Catholics can be buried in national cemeteries
The Catholic Church does not restrict the ability of its members to choose their place of burial. While many Catholics opt for a Catholic cemetery, where they can benefit from regular Masses and prayers, they are free to be buried in a non-Catholic cemetery, including national cemeteries.
The Church's canon law does not prohibit non-Catholics from being buried in Catholic cemeteries, and in many regions, these cemeteries are open to non-Catholics, particularly spouses, children, and other relatives of Catholics. This is in line with the belief that each human body is sacred, having housed the breath of God.
Historically, Christians and pagans were buried together in public cemeteries during the early centuries of the Church, though they used different symbols and funerary decorations reflecting their beliefs. The first Catholic cemetery is believed to have originated with the burial of the first disciple of Jesus Christ after his resurrection. These early cemeteries were often located near chapels, as in the case of early Catholic communities in Southern Maryland.
In certain countries or dioceses, specific laws may impact burial choices. For example, civil laws in Germany have suppressed the concept of a Catholic churchyard, and in England, the Burials Act of 1852 empowers "Burial Boards" to provide graveyards.
Ultimately, the decision on burial location is a personal one, influenced by family considerations and the desire to maintain connections with loved ones. While some may prefer a Catholic cemetery for its religious significance, others may choose a non-denominational burial plot or a national cemetery, especially if they are military veterans.
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Catholics believe that each human body houses the breath of God
The human body is considered sacred in Catholicism. According to Catholic doctrine, each human body houses the breath of God. This belief is reflected in the way Catholics treat their dead, with burial being considered a sacred act.
The concept of the human body as a vessel for the divine is not unique to Catholicism. In the Book of Genesis, it is written that God "breathed into [man's] nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being". This idea of the soul as a divine spark is also found in the philosophy of Aristotle, who defined the soul as "the first entelechy of a physical organized body potentially possessing life", and the Stoics, who described the soul as a breath pervading the body and a particle of God.
Catholics view the human body as a gift from God, and believe that it is meant to be a temple of the Holy Spirit. This belief is summed up in the Bible verse, "Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God. Therefore honour God with your body".
Historically, Catholic cemeteries were established near places of worship, with the earliest Catholic cemeteries in America located near chapels in Southern Maryland. The first Catholic cemetery is believed to have been established after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, with early believers gathering to celebrate Mass and await his Second Coming. In the past, Catholics and non-Catholics were buried together in public cemeteries, although they used different symbols and funerary decorations to reflect their faith. Today, Catholic canon law does not prevent non-Catholics from being buried in Catholic cemeteries, and many regions have adopted an ecumenical approach, allowing for the burial of non-Catholic family members of Catholics.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there is nothing in canon law that would prevent a non-Catholic from being buried in a Catholic cemetery. However, local diocesan law could prohibit it, especially in places with limited burial space.
Yes, Catholics are allowed to be buried in non-Catholic cemeteries. While it is desirable for graves to be blessed, it is not a sacrament and will not affect one's eternal destiny.
Examples of Catholic cemeteries include Mount Olivet cemetery in Washington, D.C., and All Souls Cemetery in Upper Montgomery County, Maryland.
The first Catholic cemetery was established with the burial of the first disciple of Jesus Christ after his resurrection. Early Catholic cemeteries in America were located on the land surrounding the first chapels of the New World, many of them in Southern Maryland.
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