Cremated Remains Given Final Resting Place in Catholic Cemetery

November 2nd is All Souls Day. Bishop Robert Gruss of the Saginaw Diocese celebrated an All Souls Day Mass at Calvary Cemetery in Kawkawlin for 175 individuals whose cremated remains have not been claimed by family or friends. Among the 175 individuals laid to rest are 6 babies, 13 veterans and 4 married couples. In most cases diocesan officials know the name and date of death as well as city or township in which they lived. There are a few whose names are not known. The oldest cremains go back to 1972.

Following the Mass , the cremains were entombed in a crypt in the mausoleum. Military Honors were conducted by the Bay County Veterans Council Honor Guard.

Bishop Gruss said “The remains of all people, regardless of faith, are sacred to us. It is my desire to show our love and concern for our brothers and sisters by upholding their God given dignity and providing them a final resting place where they will be remembered.”

“We show the same respect we would if the body were here,” said Diocese of Saginaw Catholic Cemeteries Director Alice Lefevre. “No one would ever put a loved one in a casket and then not bury or entomb them. Our Lord instructs us to bury the dead, it is a corporal work of Mercy.”

A committal service near the crypt followed the Mass.

(Dave Maurer)