Genealogy Request Form

Rules & Regulations for RI Catholic Cemeteries

"If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." - Romans 14:8

How can I contact the RI Office of Catholic Cemeteries?

The RI Office of Catholic Cemeteries can be reached Monday-Friday 8:00 A.M.- 4:00 P.M. at 401.944.8383. You may also contact the Office by e-mail at [email protected]. Have a specific inquiry? Submit it here.
 

What is the teaching of the Catholic Church?

The Catholic Church teaches our faithful about the holy reverence of the human body which is the vessel which carries our spirit and faith.  In life we are encouraged to engage as active members of the Church, worshiping as community in consecrated confines of our parish churches.

Because of these two aspects of our faith, our Church teaches that the complete remains of our human body should be interred/entombed when cremation is the chosen form of disposition. Cremated remains are not to be subdivided, kept at home, or scattered. Just as we are encouraged to worship together in life, when death occurs, we are encouraged to engage in sacred burial within the confines of the consecrated grounds of a Catholic Cemetery.

The Catholic Cemetery Conference, with a grant from the Catholic Communications Campaign of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has created an informational and catechetical website at www.CatholicBurialTraditions.org that provides a variety of resources to assist us in understanding the teachings of our Church about death, steps that for following the teachings of our Church, along with the benefits for you and your loved ones.
 

What is the process for requesting a genealogy? 

All genealogy requests are processed through the RI Office of Catholic Cemeteries Main Office.  Requests for multiple inquiries incurs a $35 fee for every three inquiries and may not be able to be researched the same day, especially if inquiries involve multiple locations. To make a request, use our Genealogical Request Form located at the left.
 

How do I locate a grave/marker?

If you are simply looking for a grave/lot location within a certain RI Catholic Cemetery, please refer to the “Find a Burial Location" under the "Our Cemeteries" tab.  
 

Where do I find information on RI Church/Parish Cemeteries?

The RI Office of Catholic Cemeteries can only answer questions regarding our diocesan cemeteries in RI. Questions pertaining to RI parochial cemeteries must be referred to the specific parish/cemetery office - find that contact information here. The RI Office of Catholic Cemeteries has no discretion or association with the parochial cemeteries.  The rules and regulations of RI Catholic Cemeteries are not applicable or related to the regulations of parochial cemeteries.
 

Where can I find a copy of the rules and regulations for RI Catholic Cemeteries?

The Rules and Regulations for RI Catholic Cemeteries can be viewed at the top left on this page.

Where do I submit an Affidavit of Authority?

An Affidavit of Authority should be submitted directly to the RI Office of Catholic Cemeteries. Please know that there is a non-refundable fee of $25 per each individual affidavit. Contact us here.

Can I bury my pet in a cemetery?

RI Catholic Cemeteries prohibits pet burial in its cemeteries.

What is the Floral/Decoration policy for RI Catholic Cemeteries?

RI Catholic Cemeteries only permits natural flowers, living plants, or silk flowers in cone vases or in pots no larger than eight (8) inches. Inexpensive floral containers are recommended as all items will be removed by cemetery staff as they wither and fade.
 

What items does RI Catholic Cemeteries permit on the graves of loved ones?

As shared above, only natural flowers, living plants, or silk flowers may be placed (in cones or pots) on the graves of loved ones. RI Catholic Cemeteries does not allow these following items: figurines, plastic flags, Mom/Dad signs, windmills, wind chimes, balloons, toys, rosary beads, crosses, statues, candles, etc. The reason for these items not being allowed on graves is to maintain the dignity and serenity that RI Catholic Cemeteries are meant to have, as well as to prevent any of these items from damaging maintenance equipment.
 

Are veterans allowed to have American flags placed on their graves?

Yes. American flags are the only flags allowed on the graves of veterans. RI Catholic Cemeteries does not place flags on the graves of veterans, but does supply American flags for this purpose. Only American flags are permissible for all RI Catholic Diocesan Cemeteries.  Flags can be picked up in any of the corresponding cemetery offices.
 

Does RI Catholic Cemeteries allow the burial of cremains?

Yes. RI Catholic Cemeteries allows the burial of cremains in either a grave or niche as long as proper identification is given (a name plate on the urn is required along with cremation papers). St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston, RI, also offers a new section specifically for the purpose of burying cremated remains.
 

Can I plant a tree around my/a grave?

Each RI Catholic Cemetery employs a number of personnel whose sole responsibility is the upkeep and maintenance of the cemeteries. In order to maintain a dignified environment, the Office asks that relatives of loved ones refrain from planting trees, shrubs or bushes. Additionally, if such planting were allowed, it would greatly interfere with the daily maintenance around all gravesites.  All of our cemeteries have existing trees but none are guaranteed to remain for eternity.  We certainly would like for trees to remain a part of our landscape as to give a park-like setting, but replacement of trees that fail or are damaged by weather, are not guaranteed.
 

Can I pick out my own grave location?

Yes. When searching for a grave or lot, an appointment must be scheduled with a cemetery representative in order to select and purchase a grave. The option of purchasing individual graves or family lots is completely up to you. Many will purchase a family plot well in advance to ensure that families need not worry about their own final plans, and to ensure that the families remain together for eternity.
 

Where can I obtain prices regarding graves, crypts, or niches?

The Main Office of RI Catholic Cemeteries or the individual cemetery office (in which you are purchasing your burial space) may be contacted for pricing information.
 

What are the visiting hours? Are the cemeteries open all day and night?

There is no set time for the visiting hours for each of the RI Catholic Cemeteries. The gates are usually open from “dawn to dusk”, and remain open longer as sunset occurs later. RI Catholic Cemeteries do not remain open all day and night.
 

How can I request a special Mass in memory of a loved one?

Masses in memory of loved ones can be requested through the parish of the deceased’s family, find parish listing for the Diocese of Providence, RI, here. The annual Masses offered by RI Catholic Cemeteries are offered for all the faithful departed buried in that corresponding cemetery.
 

How can I stay up to date relative to ongoing changes and renovations at each cemetery?

Information and updates to ongoing changes at each RI Catholic Cemetery can be seen on this website on the News Page. You could also contact the RI Catholic Cemeteries Main Office or pertinent cemetery office with your questions regarding changes throughout the cemetery.

When there is no more room at any given cemetery, how can I be assured that the grounds will be cared for?

RI Catholic Cemeteries assures all living relatives that their graves will be taken care of regardless of whether the cemetery is full or not. The general maintenance and appearance of RI Catholic Cemeteries is a major goal of its staff and workers. RI Catholic Cemeteries pledges to maintain the dignity and posture of its most holy and sacred cemeteries.
 

When I buy a grave at a cemetery, do I own the land?

The purchase of a grave at a RI Catholic Cemetery is not an actual real estate transaction, but rather a trusting agreement between the family and the Church. The Church still owns all the property in the Catholic cemeteries, while the family purchases the rite to burial on this piece of consecrated ground.
 

My family owns a three grave lot, which fits six people. Two of the spaces are already filled by my parents, so who retains the right to the other burial places?

RI Catholic Cemeteries follows a line of inheritance that gives certain family members the right to burial. Unless specified by an a grave assignment, stated within a will, or other legal document, the children of the owner are equally the primary recipients of a grave/lot or crypt. Written permission by each heir must be obtained if another family member is to be buried in the lot.
 

Can I bury cremated remains in my family lot, and how many cremated remains can be placed in a burial space?

RI Catholic Cemeteries permits the burial of cremated remains in either a family lot or in a wall niche.  All full-sized graves are for two rights of burial.  A niche will accommodate one set of cremated remains (unless constructed for two), while the number of urns permitted within each burial space is dependent upon the number of caskets interred. Cremation burial space is also available in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston, RI new cremation section, and coming to Resurrection Cemetery, Cumberland, RI.
 

What types of monuments are permissible at RI Catholic Cemeteries?

RI Catholic Cemeteries maintains rules and regulations relative to the size and type of markers or monuments can be placed on graves or lots to maintain the dignity of the sacred grounds, upright monuments as well as flush.
 

Can non-Catholics be buried in RI Catholic Cemeteries?

RI Catholic Cemeteries welcomes all people as children of God. However, RI Catholic Cemeteries maintains all the ceremonies, rules, and regulations of the Catholic Church to ensure that the Catholic Cemetery maintains its holy and sacred identity.
 

What is the necessity of a liner?

All caskets and urns must have a protective concrete liner or vault encased around them to maintain the burial grounds of RI Catholic Cemeteries. Liners or vaults also provide the necessary reassurance that the faithful departed remains undisturbed, and that no damage is done to the casket or urn while interred. Liners and vaults also prevent sinking and damage to caskets when adjacent graves are being prepared for burials.