Stay updated with the latest News and Events from Boston Catholic Cemetery Association.
Thank you Mayor Walsh
Thank you Mayor Walsh for recognizing the cemetery workers contributions during the Covid 19 pandemic.
Today, Mayor Walsh closed his press conference by thanking a group of workers who have some of the toughest and most emotional jobs, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic: cemetery workers. Both historic and active cemeteries fall under Boston Parks and Recreation Department.
“Cemetery workers are often the last to say goodbye to someone’s grandparent, parent, sibling, cousin, or friend. Sadly, they are also with the deceased in their final moments on this earth.
Cemetery workers provide comfort and compassion to grieving families. That’s a solemn responsibility. It takes special people to do that kind of work.
Right now, cemetery workers are working long hours and multiple shifts to keep up with the demand for burials during COVID-19. We’ve seen nearly triple the number of burials that we usually do in City of Boston cemeteries.
One of the most heartbreaking effects of the COVID-19 crisis is that we can’t gather to say goodbye to our friends and loved ones in the way that we’re used to. It’s extremely hard for families who are grieving a loved one and cannot attend their burial.
To the families: know that your loved ones weren’t alone. They were surrounded by caring people. We hope that provides some comfort and closure, for anyone who needs it right now.
We are grateful for the respect and care that cemetery workers provide every day. Thank you for all that you do. You have our greatest appreciation.”
Grave repair requests
PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC WE ARE EXPERIENCING A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN OUR WORK LOAD DUE TO INCREASED BURIALS. OUR GROUNDS STAFF MUST MAKE FUNERALS THEIR PRIORITY SO IT WILL TAKE SIGNIFICANTLY LONGER TO RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR GRAVE MAINTENANCE. WE WILL MAKE EVERY ATTEMPT TO COMPLETE REQUESTS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE.
Gates closing at 2pm on Monday 4/13/2020
There are many old trees in our cemeteries that may be a safety issue with the high wind warning. We are concerned for the safety of our staff and visitors. Due to that high wind warning we will be closing the gates at all our cemeteries today at 2pm.
HAPPY EASTER!
Easter weekend our gates will be open from 7:30am to 6:30pm.
Mount Benedict will close at 7pm.
Our offices will close at noon on Good Friday and will be closed for the weekend.
Funeral Services must arrive at our gates by 11:00am on Good Friday.
Have a safe Easter Weekend!
Please be reminded that our Memorial Day Masses have been cancelled for 2020.
MEMORIAL DAY MASS CANCELLED
It is with great regret that we must announce the cancellation of our Annual Memorial Day Masses at Mount Benedict and New Calvary Cemetery for this year.
We thank our families that have supported the Annual Masses for many years.
Our concern for the safety of our families in the current pandemic crisis and the uncertainty of its duration has led to this decision.
We hope to see you on Memorial Day in 2021.
Please stay safe!
Substitute Restrooms
We recently had to close our offices at Mt. Benedict and Mt. Calvary Cemeteries due to Covid 19 Virus concerns. Unfortunately it included the public restrooms at those locations. While not an ideal solution, we are installing portable restrooms at those 2 locations to help visitors that require them.
Thank you for your patience!
HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!!!
Covid 19 Virus Update
Effective as of Tuesday March 17, 2020 and until further notice:
It is essential that this information is shared and communicated so there is no confusion or misunderstanding when visiting our cemeteries or upon arrival to one of our cemeteries for a funeral service. Given the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to know that The Boston Catholic Cemetery Association is taking precautions to limit exposure to the coronavirus. These steps are being implemented in the best interests of the families we serve, our visitors and our staff and to comply with directives from Federal, State and Local Authorities.
Please check our website or Facebook pages for future updates.
Please Note:
We are still operating our 2 cemetery offices, Mt. Benedict and Mt. Calvary on their regular schedules but we will be limiting access to visit those facilities.
The cemetery grounds will be open for visitation during normal hours 7 days a week.
Mount Benedict gates: 7:30am to 7:00pm
Mount Calvary – New Calvary gates: 7:30am to 6:30pm
St. Mary’s will be closed and may be visited with 48 hours notice.
Funeral services will still be scheduled as in the past with some limitations.
Rather than calling our offices please utilize our website for grave location lookups and maps as office access will be limited.
Website address: www.BostonCemetery.org
Email address: info@bcca.comcastbiz.net
Grave lookup link: https://search.bostoncemetery.com/
Maps: http://www.bostoncemetery.com/maps/
Mount Benedict Cemetery
- The Mount Benedict Office, including the restrooms, will be closed to the public.
- Appointments may be made for urgent matters by calling 617-323-8389 and scheduling an appointment weekdays between 9:00am and 3:00pm
- The Mount Benedict phone number will be in service for families and funeral directors to schedule services during normal office hours.
Mount Calvary and New Calvary Cemeteries
- The Mt. Calvary/ New Calvary Office, including the restrooms, will be closed to the public.
- Appointments may be made for urgent matters by calling 617-325-6830 and scheduling an appointment weekdays between 9:00am and 3:00pm
- The Mt. Calvary/ New Calvary Office phone number will be in service for families and funeral directors to schedule services during normal office hours.
- We will not be accepting payments in cash for services and time payments until further notice. Personal checks, bank checks and money orders made payable to “The Boston Catholic Cemetery Association” will be accepted. Credit cards will also be accepted for grave sales and funeral services but not time payments.
Funeral Protocols:
All funeral processions will be greeted at the main entrance of the cemetery where the service is scheduled.
- A cemetery staff member will be there to greet you, collect paperwork and coordinate the process. If assistance is needed at the graveside our staff will remain in the area should there be a need of their service
- We are requesting that funeral homes limit graveside service attendees to 10 persons as requested by Governor Baker’s emergency order of limiting large public gatherings.
- We request that the service attendees maintain a 10 foot distance from the grave while our staff prepares the graveside for the service in order to avoid personal proximity that may aide in the transmission of this disease to our staff.
- We want to make the graveside service as normal as possible. We thank you for your help in advance.
- When our staff has completed their work families will be able to visit the grave as normal.
As health officials have indicated, one way to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus is through limiting public gatherings. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or are feeling unwell, please stay home. This will not only speed your recovery but prevent spreading the illness and protect those in high-risk groups.
If you are experiencing a cough, fever, or shortness of breath, we encourage you to not attend funeral services or to visit our cemeteries.
Please know that we are here to work with our families and funeral directors to make the process as normal as possible. Our sympathies are with those that have not only lost a loved one but must endure the demands placed on us all by the current health crisis.
Sincerely,
Bill Hewitt
General Manager
The Boston Catholic Cemetery Association
New Gate Closing Time Starting 3/8/2020
Beginning Sunday March 8, 2020 the gate closing times will be changing.
Mount Calvary and New Calvary:
Gates open at 7:30am
Gates close promptly at 6:30pm
Mount Benedict:
Gates open at 7:30am
Gates close promptly at 7:00pm
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
