Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you’re planning ahead, have an immediate need or are simply curious about after-life services, Catholic Cemeteries is here to help you now. For immediate answers, connect with a Family Services Guide at (315) 475-4639, or email catholiccemeteries@syrdio.org. Below is a list of frequently asked questions that may help you find the answers you need.

The fact is, there are many advantages to planning end-of-life services ahead of time: emotional, personal and financial. Preplanning removes the emotional burden of forcing loved ones to make critically important decisions during a stressful time. It ensures your final wishes are carried out the way you want, not how your loved ones think you would have wished. Most importantly, preplanning and purchasing allows you to lock in today’s prices, avoiding the effects of inflation.

You can start by setting up an appointment with one of our Family Services Guides. Their deep understanding of the emotional and practical aspects of planning after-life services has helped generations of families make the right decisions. They will start by listening to you, answering your questions and addressing your concerns. Then, using faith-inspired guidance and expertise, they will explain the many options available to you—from cremation to burial to memorials to personalized services.

Yes, Catholics can be cremated. Our Family Services Guides will advise you regarding Church guidelines and personal preferences. Their deep understanding of the emotional and practical aspects of planning after-life services has helped generations of families make the right decisions. They will start by listening to you, answering your questions and addressing your concerns. Then, using faith-inspired guidance and expertise, they will explain the many options available to you—from cremation to burial to memorials to personalized services.

Yes, we can help you, regardless of your faith. One of our Family Services Guides will be happy to discuss your circumstances and counsel you on making the right decisions moving forward.

A Family Services Guide assists families and individuals with all of their end-of-life, burial and memorialization needs, regardless of where they are in the process. You can reach out at any time, and they will be happy to answer your questions and provide all the guidance you need.

No. Whether you’re preplanning or have an immediate need, making arrangements with Catholic Cemeteries only pertains to burial/interment and memorialization. One of our Family Services Guides will be happy to answer your questions about making both funeral and burial arrangements, and advise you on how to proceed.

In a strict sense, no. Unlike land someone buys to plant or for construction, what you buy in one of our environments provides the right to use the land or space for interment only. You can buy burial rights for one person or several, and you can use it only for that purpose. Of course, because you own the rights, the land or space can be passed on to a spouse or family member as you see fit. Further questions? Talk to a Family Services Guide for answers.

Yes, a Family Services Guide can discuss your burial options with you and can help you personalize them based on your preferences. This includes cemetery locations, specific areas within one of our environments, family settings, memorials and more.

Yes. Our cemeteries require vaults for urns and caskets. Vaults prevent the ground above the casket or urn from sinking in, and help withstand the weight of maintenance machinery.

Cemetery grounds are open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. Mausoleums are open (with a code) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Our Calvary Utica, Calvary Johnson City, St. Mary’s Dewitt and St. Mary’s Cortland offices are open Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. When we’re open, the cemetery grounds are yours to enjoy. Feel free to spend time with loved ones, stroll the beautiful grounds and get to know the area.

Red lilies resting on top of a granite monument

You can plant flowers, bring potted plants and decorate with a small flag or symbolic object. There are specifics that regulate decoration and planting, and a Family Services Guide can take you through them at your convenience.

A niche or columbarium is an above-ground display vault in a wall or structure, specifically designed to hold cremation urns. Niche spaces are available at many of our locations.

Yes, you may pay in full, in advance, based on today’s prices. We also offer payments plans. Inquire with a Family Services Guide for more details.

Yes, depending on the space, one casket and one cremation may share the same space. Two sets of cremated remains may also share a single space as long as there is sufficient room.

Yes. We understand that life can take unexpected turns—divorce, remarriage, relocation, change of faith—which may cause you to consider changing your after-life service plans. At Catholic Cemeteries, we’re here for you. If you preplan with us and need to alter your plans, we will accommodate you. Talk to a Family Services Guide for specific details.

Ask Fr. Yeazel Video Series

Fr. Yeazel details the reality and circumstances of cremation now being accepted within the Catholic faith today.

Cremation