coronavirus response

Response Regarding Coronavirus
The Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Washington, Inc., is following the directive of Archbishop Wilton Gregory stating that Masses open to the public will not be celebrated starting Saturday, March 14 until further notice, and that funerals may proceed but attendance should be limited to immediate family.  

For those who have experienced the death of a loved one, we extend our deepest sympathy for your loss, especially during such a stressful time. 

• Catholic Cemeteries will continue to perform the Church’s Corporal Work of
• Mercy of burial of the dead at all Archdiocesan cemeteries.
• While burials will continue, our cemetery offices are temporarily closed to all visitors, except for those visitors with a scheduled appointment relating to immediate burial arrangements.
•  Catholic Cemetery counselors will be available to families experiencing the immediate need of burial arrangements  during this time. Please call the Archdiocesan cemetery of your choice during business hours for an appointment or to make arrangements by telephone. We ask for your patience as we manage the increased demand for assistance by phone. Please try your call again if you are unable to reach us.  
• In-person appointments for pre-need arrangements, memorials, inscriptions and other services unrelated to an immediate burial are suspended at this time. We will gladly assist you with these items by telephone. Again, we ask for your patience if you are unable to reach us when you call. Please try your call again later.      
• Gravesite attendance at the time of burial will be limited to immediate family only. Families are asked to remain in their vehicles when gathering for services until it is time to proceed to the graveside or designated committal area.  
• Monthly Masses in the Catholic cemetery chapels are suspended until further notice.
• The cemetery grounds will remain open daily for visitors and personal prayer.
• For everyone’s well-being, we have asked our staff to maintain a safe distance from all visitors.  
• We ask that anyone, even immediate family members, experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.) not enter any property of Catholic Cemeteries.  
• Some Archdiocesan cemeteries have no public restroom facilities at this time.   
• Please check our website for updates – www.ccaw.org.

“May the peace of Christ settle any anxieties and fear we may have. Let us continue to pray for the people whose lives have been impacted by the coronavirus as well as those who continue to care for them.” 
–    Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory