The death of a loved one is a sad and difficult moment in each of our lives. We know this and want to be especially present for you through our prayers and pastoral support during this time of sorrow. Father Kris, our deacons, staff and community are here to help you. Persons that would like to help in the rosary vigil, choirs, post-funeral luncheons and our bereavement grief support ministry are asked to contact the Parish Office.
Cemetery Committee
The Cemetery Committee is responsible for overseeing the maintenance and development of the Parish Cemetery grounds. Major clean up days are the First Saturday in May and October. Additional cleanups will be posted. All are invited to come and clean around the graves of our cemetery. The cemetery committee is committed to upholding the dignity and sacredness of Catholic burial.
Legal Notice, General Information and Cemetery Policies
Our Sacred Heart Cemetery is private property, owned by, overseen by, and subject to the canonical authority of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of San Antonio, Texas. Our parishioners and members of their families may purchase the right of burial or entombment in our Cemetery. Ownership of the real property is retained solely by the archdiocese. Should you need clarification on this matter, please contact our attorney or the Pastor.
Our cemetery is an extension of our church community. It is a sacred testament to our belief in the resurrection of the body and is a holy place for prayer and consolation. It serves our parish in ministering corporal and spiritual works of mercy, burying our deceased Catholic brothers and sisters, comforting the sorrowful and praying for the living and the dead with all appropriate rites of the Roman Catholic Church.
For safety in our cemetery the following will be enforced:
The speed limit shall not exceed 15 miles per hour
Glass in any form (vases, figurines, bottles, etc.) is not permitted on or around grave sites
Solar lights, led lights, pinwheels, strobe lights, wind socks, decorative yard flags, and/or other objects that contradict appropriate rites of the Roman Catholic Church may not be placed at grave sites
Trenching is not permitted around graves
Removing sod, digging, etc., tilling of the graves is prohibited
An American flag is permitted not to exceed a height of 24"
Smoking at the cemetery, lighting of candles, etc. is prohibited
Drinking of alcoholic beverages within the cemetery is prohibited
Painted objects used as decorations are not to be placed on or near graves
To make ground maintenance practical and available:
Trees, shrubs and bushes are not permitted
It is prohibited to create any curbing or grave marking as with stone, crushed rock, pine bark, etc., or in any other manner, create difficulty in mowing and maintaining the grounds
No covering of a grave. No placing of statues or benches. Flowers if placed on the graves will remain the property of the family; however, the cemetery assumes no liability for damages or loss, and such items will be removed by church personnel if not maintained in a fresh, clean and appropriate manner.
Beginning for the year 2015 the two special cemetery clean up days will be the first Saturday in May and the first Saturday in October each year. The times will be announced well in advance of the dates. FOR ONE WEEK BEFORE EACH SPECIAL CLEAN UP DAY, DO NOT PLACE ANY ITEMS ON THE GRAVE SITES.
During this week, before each special clean up day, families are encouraged to remove any items they would like to keep from the grave sites because any items not in compliance with guidelines, will be removed on the special clean up day.
Failure to comply with the above guidelines for the safety of visitors and routine maintenance will result in the church personnel removing any objects that are not permitted.
For many years before the cemetery became so populated, many of the cemetery rules and policies were not followed or enforced. To the degree possible, past actions will be grandfathered; however, we are now at a place in our cemetery history that we are obligated to abide by and enforce our cemetery rules and policies as promulgated by the canonical authority of the Archbishop of San Antonio, Texas.
These guidelines may be amended or changed at the discretion of the church cemetery committee and our pastor with the approval of the Archbishop of San Antonio, Texas.
Sacred Heart Church Pastor and Cemetery Committee
on behalf of Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller
Headstones for a single grave must be no larger than 3 1/2 feet and double stones (to be placed on two side by side graves) no larger that 5 feet. Please contact cemetery office prior to setting stone to ensure proper placement.