The Church teaches that the cremated remains of the body be buried or entombed and receive the “Rite of Committal.” With the majority of the population choosing cremation, the tradition of utilizing a cemetery for interment has become an option to many. Scattering the remains, keeping them at home, or dividing them among various family members is not the reverent disposition that the Church requires. As a result, each of the diocesan cemeteries has made selected a crypt or grave for the placement of cremated remains.

A couple of key statistics to share:

• Over 50% of Catholics in California choose cremation
• Only 1 in 3 of those being cremated choose to place the remains in a cemetery
• Scattering and keeping remains at home are not recommended forms of disposition by the Catholic Church

The majority of those who do not place the remains take them home creating a problem for future generations to deal with.

• Committal Service: Cremated remains brought to the Cemeteries will be given the Rite of Committal. Each cemetery has an employee trained in conducting the Committal in cases where no other minister is available. The Committal Service with take place at the Cenotaph wall adjacent to the Crypt of the Holy Angels. This provides for a sacred place for the Committal especially in cases where families have not conducted Vigil or Funeral services.
• Complimentary Placement: They will be entombed in the Crypt of the Holy Angels community crypt to provide a recognized place for visiting the remains of the deceased. We recognize the importance of recording the committal so a Burial Permit will be re-issued at no charge, with the added benefit for future genealogy searches.