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COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Effective June 30, 2021 ALL CHANGES SINCE THE LAST DOCUMENT ARE IN BOLD
Diocese of London Catholic Cemeteries COVID-19 Protocols
These protocols apply to all Diocese of London cemeteries, including parish cemeteries. We are committed to serving our families and working to ensure their health and safety. In order to do this, we are equally committed and focused on the health and safety of our staff. Please know that we are taking extra precautions to keep our facilities and offices sanitized. Please observe all signs posted throughout the cemetery.
Office Hours
Until further notice all cemetery offices are closed to the public except by appointment only. Up to two persons are permitted to attend any appointments with cemetery staff, provided that each of the attendees passes the Self Screening. As much as possible is to be done by phone, fax or email. Effective December 7, 2020 cash payments are not permitted. Payment is only permitted by cheque, debit card or credit card.
All visitors and staff are required to wear a mask during appointments. Visitors must sign into the log book at the office entrance.
Mausoleum Visiting Hours – Access Card/key and mask required for entry
You are required to wear a mask in the mausoleum. The mausoleums will be open for visiting hours effective Friday, June 11, 2021. Visiting hours are as follows:
Heavenly Rest Cemetery and Rose Hill/St. John the Baptist Cemetery (Windsor-Essex) Monday to Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday and Holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.
St. Peter’s Cemetery (London) Monday to Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday and Holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery and Resurrection Cemetery (Sarnia) Monday to Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday and Holidays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Self Screening
All persons are required to self screen before visiting the cemetery:
1. Do you have any of the following new or worsening symptoms or signs? Symptoms should not be chronic or related to other known causes or conditions:Fever or chills □ Yes □ No Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath □ Yes □ No Cough □ Yes □ No Sore throat, trouble swallowing □ Yes □ No Runny nose/stuffy nose or nasal congestion □ Yes □ No Decrease or loss of smell or taste □ Yes □ No Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain □ Yes □ No Not feeling well, extreme tiredness, sore muscles □ Yes □ No
2. Have you travelled outside of Canada in the past 14 days? Yes No
3. Have you had close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19? Yes No
RESULTS OF SCREENING QUESTIONS:- If you answer NO to all questions from 1 through 3, you have passed and can enter the cemetery.
- If you answer YES to any questions from 1 through 3, you have not passed and should therefore not enter the cemetery. You should go home to self-isolate immediately and contact your health care provider or Telehealth Ontario (1-866-797-0000) to find out if you need a COVID-19 test.
Safe Distance Protocol
Please observe a 2 metre (6 feet) distance.
Burials, Entombments, Inurnments and Cremation Witness
Any individual who does not pass the Self Screening is not permitted to attend burials, entombments, inurnments and cremation witness.
For ground burial or burial of cremated remains a mask must be worn by those attending the interment service. The burial site will be prepared in advance by cemetery staff. The casket or urn will be lowered/interred once the family returns to their vehicles. Attendance is limited per the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, as follows:
• A maximum of 50 people are permitted for outdoor interments effective June 11, 2021.
• Effective June 30, 2021, 75 people are permitted for outdoor interments.
For interment inside a mausoleum, a mask must be worn. The committal service will be conducted in the chapel area. Effective June 11, 2021, maximum attendance for services inside mausoleums is:
• Heavenly Rest (Windsor) – St. Francis, N4 (Phase 4) – 25 people
• Heavenly Rest (Windsor) – Resurrection - 25 people
• Heavenly Rest (Windsor) – Holy Trinity – 10 people
• Rose Hill/St. John the Baptist (Amherstburg) – 25 people
• St. Peter’s (London) – Holy Family - 25 people
• Our Lady of Mercy (Sarnia) - 10 people
• Resurrection (Sarnia) - 20 people
Once the committal service is completed and all attendees have left the building, the cemetery staff will proceed with the interment. For an outdoor service at a crypt or niche, the staff will complete the entombment or inurnment once the family moves to a safe distance as directed by the cemetery staff.
A maximum of 2 persons allowed for real-time witnessing of cremations while social distancing and wearing a mask.
Monthly Cemetery Masses and Other Prayer Services
Until further notice, all monthly masses and other prayer services are canceled.
This protocol is subject to change. Thank you for adhering to this protocol and for your understanding and patience during these unprecedented times. We pray for those infected with COVID-19, those caring for the sick and for one another.
David Savel, Episcopal Director of Administrative Services
Rosario Muscedere, Eastern Region Cemetery Manager (Sarnia and London)
Patricia Simone, Western Region Cemetery Manager (Windsor-Essex)
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Our cemeteries are a peaceful and holy place, consecrated as the final resting place of our loved ones. We hope you will take the time to visit our cemeteries and offer prayers, including prayers for those that have gone before us. Please join us at an upcoming event at your local cemetery.The Diocese of London has been operating cemeteries since our inception, more than 150 years ago. We have 76 cemeteries, 10 of which are located in Windsor-Essex, London and Sarnia, and are operated directly by the Diocese and 66 of which are operated by our 116 parishes. Our parish cemeteries are located throughout Southwestern Ontario. We have cemetery offices at Heavenly Rest Cemetery in Windsor, St. Peter’s Cemetery in London and Resurrection Cemetery in Sarnia.
We encourage you to preplan your final arrangements and notify your family members so they’re aware of the details. If you are a member of a particular parish, speak to the parish priest about your preferences for the final liturgy. Put all of this in writing using My Funeral Liturgy and give copies to your family members. If you are not a member at a parish but would like a service we would be pleased to assist you. Please contact us for a free copy of our Family Fact File to assist you with this process or with any other questions you may have.