The Church and Cremation

Cremation has been accepted by the Catholic faith since 1963. In 1997, the Vatican gave the bishops of the United States permission to allow the celebration of the funeral Mass with the cremated remains present.

You may get information regarding the Church and Cremation from the Erie Diocesan Cemeteries main office (3325 West Lake Road, Erie) by calling 814-838-7724 or CLICK HERE for more information from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie.

There are several options for cremation disposition.  Those include burial of cremains in a grave with a gravestone or inurnment in cremation niches.  Niches are located at Calvary, Gate of Heaven and Mary Queen of Peace Cemeteries.  There are several types of niches to include mausoleum interior and exterior  columbarium niche space and free-standing columbarium niche space located on cemetery grounds and typically near our mausoleums.  Also, there are glass-front cremation niches located inside the aforementioned mausoleums.  Call the main office at 814-838-7724 for information or to schedule an in-person appointment.