St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Evergreen Park, IL

07/24/2026

07/22/2026

06/25/2026

While Cremation is permitted in the Catholic Church, the scattering of ashes is NOT. Here's why:

The Order of Christian Funerals states (Appendix no. 417): "The cremated remains of a body should be treated with the same respect given to the human body from which they come." When choosing cremation, the Catholic Church tells us to bury or entomb cremated remains on consecrated grounds. Choosing a Catholic Cemetery ensures your loved one is laid to rest following the Catholic Church's guidelines.

Beyond doctrine, psychologists also affirm that as human beings, we need a physical place to grieve, to remember, and to heal. Scattering ashes may feel symbolic in the moment, but it leaves no sacred space to return to, no lasting tribute, and no historical connection for future generations. Families who scatter cremated remains often regret this decision in future years when there is no viable remembrance of their loved one or no place of memorial.

📍 At Catholic Cemeteries of Chicago, we provide sacred burial and entombment options for cremated remains. From peaceful cremation gardens to indoor glass-front niches, our consecrated grounds ensure your loved one is laid to rest in a holy place, surrounded by prayer, and honored for generations to come.

06/09/2026

Public Service Announcement: Buyers Beware of Cemetery Graves being Sold on Open Marketplaces

Thinking about purchasing a cemetery plot or grave space through an online marketplace or classifieds site?

The purchase, sale, or transfer of cemetery graves, crypts, or niches through any online marketplace or e-commerce platform is prohibited by the Catholic Cemeteries of Chicago and must be conducted directly through our cemetery office.

Before you exchange any money, please understand the facts. Buying a grave is not like buying a used piece of furniture, and proceeding without caution can lead to significant financial loss and heartache.

⚠️ Key Risks & Regulations

Easement Rights from the Catholic Cemeteries of Chicago, are not transferable, except with the prior written consent of the grantor (Catholic Cemeteries). When you buy a cemetery plot, you aren't actually purchasing the physical land; you are purchasing a Right of Burial. This right is conveyed by an easement. Cemetery Rules and Regulations strictly regulate these rights. An easement cannot be transferred, gifted, or donated to a new owner without the explicit, written consent of the Catholic cemetery authority. An easement cannot be sold to a new owner.

There is a risk of fraud when purchasing graves, crypts, and niches without verifying the lot holder through the official Catholic cemetery office. There is no guarantee that the online seller actually controls the interment rights, or that the space hasn't already been used or promised to someone else.

📋 What You Should Do Instead

If you find a plot for sale online that you are interested in, protect yourself by taking the following steps:

Contact the Catholic Cemetery Directly: Before agreeing to anything, contact the specific cemetery's administration office.

Complete the Official Transfer: All legal transfers of interment rights must be processed directly through the Catholic cemetery office, subject to their specific rules, paperwork, and transfer fees.

Bottom Line: Never hand over cash or electronic payments to a private seller on an open marketplace for a Catholic cemetery grave. If the transfer does not happen officially in the cemetery office, your purchase is invalid.

Please share this post with family and friends who may benefit from this information. Thank you.

03/04/2026

Decoration Clean-Up Reminder:

Our Cemetery Grounds Staff will be removing ALL decorations and items left out between March 15th - March 31st.

If you would like to save your decorations, please remove them before March 15th.

Spring decorations may be placed starting April 1st – please do not place ANY decorations between March 15th - March 31st.

To learn about our Decoration Rules and Regulations, please visit our website: https://www.catholiccemeterieschicago.org/cemetery-policies/.

02/26/2026

SPRING & SUMMER VISITING HOURS:

Effective March 1st through October 15th, our visiting hours are extended for the Spring and Summer season.

CEMETERY VISITING HOURS
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM, 7 days a week

MAUSOLEUM VISITING HOURS
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, 7 days a week

02/20/2026

Spring Decoration Clean-Up:

Please note that our Cemetery Grounds Staff will be removing ALL decorations and items left out between March 15th and March 31st.

If you would like to save your decorations, please remove them before March 15th.

Spring decorations may be placed starting April 1st – please do not place ANY decorations between March 15th - March 31st.

To learn more about our Cemetery decorating guidelines, please visit our website: https://www.catholiccemeterieschicago.org/cemetery-policies/.

02/18/2026

Today we begin the sacred season of Lent. Marked with ashes, we are reminded of God’s boundless mercy. Within our Catholic Cemeteries, this truth is held with reverence every day as we honor life, commend our loved ones to God’s care, and await the promise of the resurrection. We pray that you find comfort and strength in your faith during this sacred time. 🙏

Pope St. John Paul II (Ash Wednesday, February 12, 1997):
"Ashes are a sign of man's transience and subjection to death. In this season, when we are preparing to relive liturgically the mystery of the Redeemer's death on the cross, we must more deeply feel and experience our own mortality. We are mortal beings yet our death does not mean destruction and annihilation. In it, God has inscribed the profound hope of the new creation. Thus the sinner who celebrates Ash Wednesday can and must cry: 'Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).'"