St. Patrick Cemetery
".....for your people O Lord, life is changed not ended."
When we are baptized, we are brought to a sacred place, a Catholic Church, and baptized into the mystery of Christ's death and resurrection - thus giving us the promise of eternal life. When one of our loved ones dies, we take them to another sacred place, a Catholic Cemetery, for burial in sacred ground while they await the resurrection of the dead and the promise of eternal life.
Since death is a natural part of life, it is only fitting that the Catholic Church be present at the time of death. In the preface of the Funeral Mass the words ".....for your faithful people O Lord, life is changed not ended" are prayed. Death as seen through the eyes of a Christian is not the end. It is simply a natural passage way to a changed life with God. Burial in a Catholic Cemetery is a statement of continued belief in that everlasting life, even in death.
Cemeteries hold the earthly remains of our family members and friends who have shared their love, fellowship and friendship with us. Although a grave in a cemetery evokes sadness, a grave in a Catholic Cemetery is also a sign of hope in God and His promise of everlasting life. St. Patrick Church is very blessed to have a beautiful cemetery located directly across the street from our Church. St. Patrick Cemetery is a sacred space for the burial of our loved ones who have died.
If you would like more information about the cemetery or information on purchasing a burial plot for yourself or your loved ones who have died, please contact Lori Lechowicz, Administrative Assistant in the office at 860-267-6644. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace, Amen.
PATRICK CEMETERY REGULATIONS (Revised 7-2021)
St. Patrick Cemetery is consecrated by the Roman Catholic Church as a place of burial.We will comply with the guidelines, policies, rules and regulations of the Diocese of Norwich Cemetery Corporation as our unique parish cemetery allows. Strict observance of St. Patrick Cemetery Regulations is required.
1. In compliance with the Diocesan regulations in order to maintain a non-profit status, you (or your spouse) must be Catholic in order to be buried in St. Patrick Cemetery and the purchase must be in the Catholic's name.
2. The treatment and care of lots and the erection of monument work shall be subject to the general supervision and approval of the Cemetery management and to such rules and regulations as the Cemetery Board of Directors may approve for the future welfare and appearance of St. Patrick Cemetery.
3. Unless special permission is granted, all work done within St. Patrick Cemetery will be done by Cemetery employees only.
4. No burials or interments may be made without first contacting the St. Patrick Cemetery personnel or members of the Cemetery Board. Graves are to be ten feet long, four feet wide, and six feet deep. Cremains must be a minimum of two feet deep. All interments are for human remains only. All remains must be in a casket (coffin) and then contained in a metal or concrete vault. Wooden outer containers are not permitted. Cremains must be in an urn or metal container such as received from a funeral director. The container may be buried in an existing grave.
5. While every effort will be made to protect purchasers from personal property loss, St. Patrick Cemetery does not assume responsibility for such loss, natural deterioration or vandalism.
6. The size and design of all memorial work must meet Cemetery specifications (Single lot 3' high x 3' wide: Double lot 3 'high x 6' wide). Approval for memorial design must be obtained from the PASTOR before placing the order. All memorial designs MUST be of a religious nature to reflect the fact that this is a Roman Catholic Cemetery.
7.No permanent grave marker or memorial may be placed on the plot(s) until full payment is made for the plot(s). Each grave may hold either 1 casket & 1 cremain (without a vault) OR 4 cremains and may have either 1 upright marker OR 4 flat markers.
8. The planting of trees, shrubs and flowers in the ground is NOT PERMITTED and will be cut if they interfere with regular landscaping maintenance. Landscaping materials of any kind are not permitted and will be removed during regular landscaping maintenance.
9. Grave decorations are limited to ONE DISPLAY PER LOT. ONE Shepherds hook is permitted but must be placed FLUSH with the marker and the plant must hang over the marker and MUST NOT extend more than 10 inches from the monument. Appropriate photos of deceased/family, not to exceed 4"X6" are permitted, Other photos, as well as the words Perpetual Care and similar phrases are not permitted on memorial work. Articles such as glass jars, seats, statues, lights, and bric-a-brac of any description are NOT ALLOWED and will be removed without notice. (During the summer season - artificial flowers are not allowed). In the event of natural deterioration of grave containers, and/or decorations, the Cemetery management will remove these grave containers as their condition warrants.
10.The schedule for memorial decorations is as follows:
(a) WINTER SEASON: DECEMBER 1 TO MARCH 1 (greens, artificial flowers appropriate to the season)
(b) SUMMER SEASON: MARCH 1 TO DECEMBER 1 (live flowers preferred)
11. All grave decorations are to be removed by family members by the following dates or they will be removed by cemetery personnel:
(a) END OF WINTER SEASON: MARCH 1
(b) END OF SUMMER SEASON: DECEMBER 1
(c) WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF MEMORIAL DAY
12. The Cemetery will remove all floral pieces three days following the interment service.