Cemetery
Grave markers and monuments can be purchased through Saint Patrick.
The proceeds go to the perpetual upkeep of the cemetery.
The proceeds go to the perpetual upkeep of the cemetery.
Decorating Rules for Catholic Cemeteries
It is with deep respect for the loved one you have entrusted to the care of the Catholic Cemeteries in the Diocese of Rockford that we ask you to read and observe the following regulations in all our cemeteries, both diocesan and parish.
Lots may be purchased at St. Patrick’s Parish Center office, 236 Kelley Drive, Rochelle, IL 61068 Phone (815) 562-2370. It has been found most desirable for persons wishing to purchase a lot or space to do so at a time convenient to them and at their leisure, without hurry and confusion, rather than wait until the need arises. Any person wishing to purchase a lot may contact the parish priest or parish office for price and lots available. Payment for such services should be paid in full to the Parish Cemetery Fund. Burial records and lot ownership will be kept at the Parish Center office.
General Rules
- The cemetery is open for visits from dawn until dusk.
- There will be no burials on Sundays, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Day.
- Burials for Mondays must be reported no later than 12 noon on Saturday.
- Immediate burials may be allowed at the convenience of cemetery personnel.
- No burials are permitted unless the grave space and opening is paid in full.
- All burials must be in concrete box or vault, no fiberglass vaults are allowed
- Concrete boxes and vaults must be able to withstand 10,000 lbs on top.
- The following will be allowed per internment space:
- One (1) adult per grave space; or
- One (1) adult and One (1) infant per grave space; or
- One (1) adult and One (1) cremation per grave space; or
- Two (2) urns containing cremated remains
- Cremations:
- Cremains must be placed and sealed in a recoverable container before interment.
- Urn or sealed container must be buried in concrete cremation vault or sealed columbarium.
- Cremains may be interred in a grave.
- No more than two (2) cremains interments per grave space.
- Cremains cannot be sprinkled on top of grave or under sod.
- Trees and shrubs can only be planted according to the cemetery planting plans and list of plants with permission of Cemetery Committee.
- For safety concerns of our workers, our visitors, and the sanctity of our cemetery, the following are not permitted at any time:
- Metal Stands (including shepherd hooks and other metal rods)
- Metal Hooks on Pots
- Glass
- Lighting (any kind)
- Bird Feeders
- Wind Chimes
- Picnics
- Balloons
- Signs/banners
- Solar lights
- Statues(unless a permanent/integral part of a monument)
- Ceramics
- Toys
- Winter Grave Blankets
- Other inappropriate items
- Decorations are checked weekly and those that have become unsightly or withered will be removed or tagged for repair. Decorations that do not conform to the rules will be removed immediately. Decorations are removed when there are several placed on one grave at one time. Quality, not quantity, makes beauty. On a monument lot, a single decoration in front of the monument is preferable rather than on an individual grave. Please do not outline graves or memorials by stripping a border of sod from around them. Outlining graves or memorials with metal frames, plastic landscape borders, fencing, or crushed stone is not permitted. Please do not cut, water, or fertilize the lawn in the cemetery. This well-intentioned help very often conflicts with regular cemetery care and has resulted in weed growth and unattractive lawn areas. Cemetery personnel are responsible for keeping the grass mowed, approved trees and shrubs trimmed, graves leveled and seeded, and keeping the grounds in good repair. Perennial plantings are not permitted at any time. Neither dogs nor cats are permitted in the cemetery.
· Artificial flowers or potted plants are permitted in 6 inch to 10 inch pots, made of terra cotta, heavy plastic, or concrete only. Heavy plastic or concrete boxed plants are permitted in boxes that do not exceed 18” long and 6” in width. Pots and planting boxes should be set on the apron if possible or as close to the apron as possible and not dug in to the turf nor staked in place. Pots can only be set on either end of memorial. Boxes may be placed in front of and close to the memorial. They may be placed on the lawn level memorials as long as they do not stain the memorial.
· Artificial flowers are permitted on all graves in approved permanent vases. All vases must have a hole in the bottom, so that water will not be contained in the vase.
· Flags may be placed in the planters with the plants, in the approved permanent vases, or in the metal veteran’s stake. Do not place flags directly in the ground.
· All live plants need to be in pots or boxes. No ground planting allowed. Plants in ground without prior cemetery approval will be removed without notice. Maximum of two (2) pots or two (2) boxes per memorial.
· Live flowers will be removed after October 1st. Winter decorations may be placed after October 25th.
Fall/Winter (November 1st through March 15th)
· Christmas decorations may be either artificial or real.
· No Christmas lights are permitted.
· Christmas wreaths must be set on a saddle on top of the monument or wreath holder on top of the monument.
· Winter decorations will be removed by March 15th of each year.
· No winter grave blankets.
The burial of your deceased loved ones with dignity and the ongoing care of their graves are the main mission of the Catholic Cemeteries. However, there are incidents when grave decorations become damaged during the course of our mission. We are sorry that this happens and want you to know that these incidents are not deliberate nor do they show a lack of compassion for your deceased family members or friends. We regret that we cannot guarantee to safeguard your grave decorations from damage or disappearance, and we also regret that we cannot accept the responsibility for their damage or loss.
