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    Important Announcements

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

Effective March 21, 2022 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 observe all signs posted throughout the cemetery.

Office Hours

Until further notice all cemetery offices are available by appointment only. The number of persons permitted to attend any appointments with cemetery staff will be limited based on the meeting room space so as to ensure physical distancing between the family and the cemetery staff. Please do not come to the office if you have a cold, flu, symptoms of COVID-19 or if you are required to self-isolate. In these cases, we would be pleased to assist you by phone and email.

All visitors and staff are required to wear a mask during appointments.

Mausoleum Visiting Hours – Access Card/key and mask required for entry

Please do not come to the mausoleum if you have a cold, flu, symptoms of COVID-19 or if you are required to self-isolate.

Masks are not required to be worn in the mausoleum, although mask wearing is welcome. Please ensure that you keep a safe and courteous distance between yourself and other visitors and cemetery staff. The mausoleums will be open for visiting hours as follows:

Heavenly Rest Cemetery and Rose Hill/St. John the Baptist Cemetery (Windsor-Essex) daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

St. Peter’s Cemetery (London) daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery and Resurrection Cemetery (Sarnia) daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Safe Distance Protocol

Please keep a safe and courteous distance from other cemetery visitors and staff.

Burials, Entombments, Inurnments and Cremation Witness

Please do not come to the cemetery if you have a cold, flu, symptoms of COVID-19 or if you are required to self-isolate.

For ground burial or burial of cremated remains masks are not required to be worn, although mask wearing is welcome. Please ensure that you keep a safe and courteous distance between yourself and other visitors and cemetery staff. The burial site will be prepared in advance by cemetery staff. The casket or urn will be lowered/interred once the family moves to a safe distance as directed by the cemetery staff. For outdoor interments there is no capacity limit.

For interment inside a mausoleum, masks are not required to be worn, although mask wearing is welcome. Please ensure that you keep a safe and courteous distance between yourself and other visitors and cemetery staff. The committal service will be conducted in the chapel area. There are now no capacity limits for interments inside the mausoleum.

Once the committal service is completed, the cemetery staff will proceed with the interment. Those witnessing the entombment must move to a safe distance away from the crypt or niche as directed by the cemetery staff. For an outdoor service at a crypt or niche, the cemetery 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 indoor real-time witnessing of cremations. Wearing a mask is required and a safe distance from cemetery staff must be maintained.

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)
Zeina Wehbe, Office Manager (Windsor-Essex)
Vince Murphy, Grounds Manager (Windsor-Essex)
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 Fu neral 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.