Cemeteries
CEMETERY ARRANGEMENTS
Funeral arrangements require 24-hour notice before scheduling a committal or grave-side service. Cemetery and funeral pre-arrangements are strongly recommended and are available at cemetery offices.
The Diocese of Orange owns and operates four active cemeteries to provide a sacred and dignified place of burial for our Catholic community. See our website for more information: www.occem.org.
CATHOLIC BURIAL TRADITIONS
Catholic families are strongly encouraged to select a Catholic cemetery for their burial needs, though it is permissible to choose a secular cemetery; just as we believe in the resurrection of the body, a Catholic cemetery bears witness to our belief and hope that life is eternal; as we recognize baptism and Confirmation as part of our faith, Christian burial in a Catholic cemetery is an equally important tradition of our faith.
The Catholic Funeral Plan helps families preserve and honor their Catholic traditions and family wishes by guiding the family through such traditions as our Christian Funeral Rites: The Vigil; The Funeral Liturgy; and The Committal. Contact Tim Porras at 888-543-5020 or tporras@rcbo.org for more information.
CREMATION AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
In May 1963, the Vatican lifted the prohibition forbidding Catholics from choosing cremation. Today it is acceptable to choose cremation as long as the disposition is treated in the same dignity and respect as a full body burial or placement in a cemetery. Scattering cremated remains over land or sea, or placement in one’s home or anywhere other than a cemetery, is not in keeping with Church teachings.
Non-Catholic members of a Catholic family may be buried in a Catholic cemetery, as the Church does not want to separate in death those who were together in life.
Decorations at the cemetery are limited to fresh-cut flowers only unless otherwise indicated. Special holiday and maintenance schedules will be posted at the cemetery office and on the website.
Memorialization or headstones are available at the cemetery office and are limited in size, shape and inscription or images. These regulations vary by location. Please inquire at the cemetery office for details.
ACTIVE CATHOLIC CEMETERIES
Ascension Cemetery
24754 Trabuco Road
Lake Forest, CA 92630
Kevin Haynes, Manager
714-837-1331
FAX 714-837-9013
Good Shepherd Cemetery
8301 Talbert Avenue
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
Rodolfo Hidalgo, Manager
714-847-8546
FAX 714-842-9979
Holy Sepulcher Cemetery
7845 East Santiago Canyon Road
Orange, CA 92669
Rene Acebal, Manager
714-532-6551
FAX 714-288-8441
Cathedral Memorial Gardens
12141 Lewis Street
Garden Grove, CA 92640
Alma Ochoa, Manager
714-282-6012
Michael A. Wesner, Director
714-282-3101
FAX 714-282-4241
Alma Ochoa, Associate Director of Administration
714-282-6102
Office hours:
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Visiting hours:
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ST
8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. DST
