Just as we are brought to a sacred place, the Catholic Church, at the time of our birth to be baptized and enter into the life of Christ, so too are we brought to another sacred place, a Catholic cemetery, at the time of our death to await the resurrection of the dead and the promise of eternal life that comes to us through life in Christ. Interment in a Catholic Cemetery is a statement of our belief in that everlasting life and our belief that at death life is changed, not ended.

Many parishes maintain Catholic cemeteries - please contact the parish for information about its cemetery. The Diocese of Madison itself provides the following cemeteries as sacred places for prayer and remembrance: Resurrection in Madison, Mount Olivet in Janesville, and Mount Thabor and Calvary in Beloit. We hope that the information provided in these pages will help you to understand the Catholic funeral rites and provide you with information that will help you in planning for your future needs.

As always, our staff is ready to assist you with any personal questions you may have. Feel free to contact them at any time for a free pre-planning consultation. There is no obligation to you.

John heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!" --Revelation 14:13 RSV

Mt. Olivet Cemetery (Janesville, WI)