PARTNERS

In remembrance of those individuals served by Catholic Cemeteries & Funeral Homes in the month of April

In Arizona, Catholics are blessed to have many Catholic cemeteries at which to lay their loved ones to rest in the traditions of our centuries-old faith. But what makes a Catholic cemetery and funeral home different from their secular counterparts?

For many Catholics, deacons are a bit of a mystery. Parishioners may see us assisting with Mass on Sundays, teaching RCIA classes or visiting the infirm, but they may not be sure exactly who we are or what we do.

Throughout my life, one thing has made me feel more fulfilled than anything else: helping others.

When I joined Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Homes in 2006, I was instantly moved by my work. On any given day, I not only help families preplan their funeral arrangements services, but I also help them in times of sudden loss, something I went through myself only a few months ago when my husband passed away.

There is a growing interest around the world about the celebration of el Día de los Muertos, exemplified by two recent animation movies about this topic: "The Book of Life" and "Coco." I believe that this fascination about the el Día de los Muertos celebration is the safest opportunity for people to talk freely about death without feeling vulnerable.

“As Catholics, we are blessed with a powerful way to grieve the loss of a loved one during this painful time of loss and contemplation: The Catholic Funeral Rite.”

At Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Homes, we take a proactive approach to cemetery development so we can continue to serve the burial needs of Catholic families for generations to come.

Today’s popular culture often teaches us that we should put ourselves first. As Catholics, Lent is a gift that offers us a time to put our wants and needs aside and focus on drawing closer to the Lord. During these 40 days of introspection, contrition and sacrifice, we can grow stronger in our faith. By imitating Christ’s life, we grow in virtue.

Most of us don’t think about death until we are forced to face it. When we lose a loved one, we may head to a funeral home not knowing much about the process of planning a funeral and burial in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church.