One of the most important things a Catholic can do is plan their estate, funeral and burial arrangements within the Church’s guidelines. Being prepared can help alleviate the inevitable stress that will fall upon loved ones when that day arrives. 

Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Service-Archdiocese of Toronto emphasizes the importance of planning ahead. 

“You and your family will have peace of mind knowing that your funeral wishes are met,” said Amy Profenna, director of marketing and public relations with Catholic Cemeteries.

“When cemetery and funeral arrangements are made in advance of need, it allows one to focus on the important things at a time of death. Decisions are made in an informed and careful manner.”

Giving peace of mind works in so many ways — for you in knowing that your wishes have been met, and to your loved ones by taking the emotional stress out of making difficult decisions at the time of death. You are also relieving them of the financial responsibilities of making arrangements when a death occurs.

If you have left arrangements to your family after the fact, so much can go wrong.

“When a death has occurred and no plans are made in advance, loved ones face many difficult decisions while at the same time mourning the loss of their loved one,” said Profenna. “The decisions that have to be made by the survivors can often be overwhelming, from securing all vital statistics and documents, making funeral and burial arrangements, notifying family and friends, doctors, employers, etc. Planning ahead is both prudent and offers peace of mind to your loved ones.”

Through its Catholic Planning Package, Catholic Cemeteries guides people through the process. The package contains helpful in-formation in pre-planning final burial arrangements, an estate planning guide and Church guidelines on funeral rites, cemeteries and cremation.

“Funeral planning does not have to be difficult,” said Profenna. “We are here to help.”

Catholic Cemeteries stresses the importance of a Catholic having a funeral and burial within the Church’s traditions. “Catholic Cemeteries are second only to the Church in its sacred nature,” said Profenna. “The cherished Catholic funeral tradition and burial in consecrated ground, among fellow believers, is the final expression of our faith as Catholics and it is the sacred right, privilege and calling of every Catholic.”

Burial in sacred ground may not be what everyone is looking for, but Catholic Cemeteries has a solution for that as well. Cremation has been an acceptable option for Catholics since and Catholic Cemeteries offers Catholic Cremation Services.

“All of our Catholic cemeteries have graves for the burial of cremated remains, as well as outdoor and/or indoor niches for the placement of cremation urns,” said Profenna. “There is a spiritual and emotional benefit for placing cremated remains in a proper place of burial. It gives the bereaved and the Church community a place to focus remembrance and pray for the deceased.”

For more information, visit Catholic Cemeteries on the web at catholic-cemeteries.com or call (416) 733-8544.