My Friends in Christ:

We not only honor and respect those who have died, but as Catholics we pray for the dead. For this reason we design and maintain our Catholic cemeteries so that they are conducive to prayer. No one can help but enter Holy Cross Cemetery, historic St. Joseph Cemetery at Trentwood, and Queen of Peace Cemetery and not be moved to intercede on behalf of those who have gone before us in faith.

That is why I encourage all Catholics to support our Catholic cemeteries. These beautiful grounds and carefully designed facilities keep fresh for us our core belief that death does not break the bonds we share as members of the Body of Christ. We are a people who believe that the curtain between time and eternity, between those who live in this world and the next is so very thin. We are a people who believe that our prayers for those who have died help to bring about their full redemption in Christ.

Please keep all of that in mind as you select burial places for yourselves and loved ones. We have on hand Family Service Representatives to assist you. They are ready to meet with you, either in your home or at our cemetery office.

May the souls of all the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Blase J Cupich

Diocese of Spokane