Following approval at a board meeting of Catholic Cemetery Association Inc. this week, plans were announced for the building of the new Divine Mercy Funeral Home. The 14,000 square foot facility will be located on the property of Catholic Cemetery, 3500 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne and will house 2 visitation rooms, each with a personal family room; a crematorium and embalming facility and the offices of Catholic Cemetery.

Leadership of Catholic Cemetery hopes that the establishment of a Catholic funeral home will enable them to serve those grieving with a pastoral approach, always maintaining the dignity of each person. “Divine Mercy Funeral Home will complete Catholic Cemetery’s mission in burying the dead and better allow us guide and comfort, in Catholic tradition, those who have lost someone they love,” stated Casey Miller, Catholic Cemetery superintendent. “This funeral home is a natural extension of the pastoral care that Catholic Cemetery has offered since 1873.”

An official groundbreaking ceremony is expected to take place late in February or early March, weather depending. The Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend, commented on the momentous announcement, “I see the establishment of a Catholic Funeral Home by our Catholic Cemetery Association as a natural extension of its spiritual and pastoral mission to care for those who mourn the death of their loved ones as well as to provide for the liturgical rites of the Church for those who have died. In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, we have focused on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, which include praying for and burying the dead and comforting those who mourn.”

He continued, “The new funeral home will be named “Divine Mercy Funeral Home,” thus focusing on the merciful love of God, fully revealed in His Son Jesus. The focus on Divine Mercy will bring consolation to those who are grieving as we entrust the souls of the faithful departed to the mercy of God. I am hopeful that this new ministry of the Catholic Cemetery Association will bear much good fruit in serving the Church’s mission of mercy."

Bishop Rhoades will celebrate the Feast of All Souls with a Mass at Catholic Cemetery on Wednesday, November 2 at noon. All are welcome to attend.