St. Patrick's Church: East Hampton, CT

St. Patrick Cemetery

General Information (Pastor Letter)

“… for your people O Lord, life is changed not ended.”

When we are baptized, we are brought to a sacred place, a Catholic Church, and baptized into the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection – thus giving us the promise of eternal life. When one of our loved ones dies, we take them to another sacred place, a Catholic Cemetery, for burial in sacred ground while they await the resurrection of the dead and the promise of eternal life.

Since death is a natural part of life, it is only fitting that the Catholic Church be present at the time of death. In the preface of the Funeral Mass the words “… for your faithful people O Lord, life is changed not ended’ are prayed. Death as seen through the eyes of a Christian is not the end. It is simply a natural passage way to a changed life with God. Burial in a Catholic Cemetery is a statement of continued belief in that everlasting life, even in death.

Cemeteries hold the earthly remains of our family members and friends who have shared their love, fellowship and friendship with us. Although a
grave in a cemetery evokes sadness, a grave in a Catholic Cemetery is also a sign of hope in God and His promise of everlasting life.
St. Patrick Church is very blessed to have a beautiful cemetery located directly across the street from our Church. St. Patrick Cemetery is a very well maintained sacred space for the burial of our loved ones who have died. If you would like more information about St. Patrick Cemetery or information on purchasing a burial plot for yourself or your loved ones who have died then please contact Daisy Conway at 267-6644 or Thomas Portelance, Jr. at 267-2226. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Rev. Charles R. LeBlanc
Pastor of St. Patrick Church

Cemetery Prayer:

A Cemetery Prayer

God of the living and the dead, accept our prayers for those
who have died in Christ and
are buried with the hope of rising again.
In your mercy grant them eternal rest.
Lord God, whose days are without end and
whose mercies are beyond counting,
keep us mindful that life is short and
the hour of death is know to You alone.
Let your Holy Spirit guide our days on earth
in the ways of holiness and justice,
that we may serve you in union with the whole Church,
sure in faith, strong in hope and perfected in love.
We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Cemetery Regulations :

St. Patrick Cemetery is consecrated by the Roman Catholic Church as a place of burial. We will comply to the guidelines, policies, rules and regulations of the Diocese of Norwich Cemetery Corporation as our unique parish Cemetery allows. Strict Observance of St. Patrick Cemetery Regulations is required.

Cemetery Regulations:

1. The treatment and care of lots and the erection of monument work shall be subject to the general supervision and approval of the Cemetery management and to such rules and regulations as the Cemetery Board of Directors may approve for the future welfare and appearance of St. Patrick Cemetery.
2. Unless special permission is granted, all work done within St. Patrick Cemetery will be done by Cemetery employees only.
3. No burials or interments may be made without first contacting the St. Patrick Cemetery personnel or members of the Cemetery Board. Graves are to be ten feet long, four feet wide, and six feet deep. Cremains must be a minimum of two feet deep. All interments are for human remains only. All remains must be in a casket (coffin) and then contained in a metal or concrete vault. Wooden outer containers are not permitted. Cremains must be in an urn or metal container such as received from a funeral director. The container may be buried in an existing grave.
4. While every effort will be made to protect purchasers from personal property loss, St. Patrick Cemetery does not assume responsibility for such loss, natural deterioration or vandalism.
5. The size and design of all memorial work must meet Cemetery specifications. Approval for memorial design must be obtained from the caretaker or pastor before placing the order. All memorial designs MUST be of a religious nature to reflect the fact that this is a Roman Catholic Cemetery.
6. No permanent grave marker or memorial may be placed on the plot(s) until full payment is made for the plot(s).
7. The planting of trees, shrubs and flowers in the ground is NOT PERMITTED. Landscaping materials of any kind are not permitted and will be removed.
8. Grave decorations are limited to ONE DISPLAY PER LOT. The decoration MUST NOT extend more than 10 inches from the monument. Articles such as glass jars, seats, statues, and bric-a-brac of any description are NOT ALLOWED and will be removed without notice. In the event of natural deterioration of grave containers, and/or decorations, the Cemetery management will remove these grave containers as their condition warrants.
9. The schedule for memorial decoration is as follows:
(a) WINTER SEASON: December 15 to April 15
(b) SUMMER SEASON: May 15 to October 15
10. All grave decorations are to be removed by family members by the following dates or they will be removed by Cemetery personnel:
(a) END OF WINTER SEASON: April 15
(b) END OF SUMMER SEASON: October 15
(c) WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF MEMORIAL DAY

Contact Information:

If you would like more information about St. Patrick Cemetery or information on purchasing a burial plot for yourself or your loved ones who have died then please contact Daisy Conway at 267-6644 or Thomas Portelance, Jr. at 267-2226.