UPDATED DIRECTIVES REGARDING CATHOLIC CEMETERIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEWARK
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. and the Archdiocesan leadership team continue to monitor the ongoing COVID-19 situation and to aggregate guiding information from federal, state and local officials. Based on the latest information shared publicly, the following are updated directives regarding Catholic Cemeteries approved by Cardinal Tobin for the Archdiocese of Newark.
- On Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10, all archdiocesan cemeteries will be open for visitation from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will be open for visitation every Sunday, thereafter.
- Beginning on Monday, May 11, up to 10 family members will be permitted to attend a burial service. (Currently, two family members only are permitted.) Until further notice, all committal services are limited to immediate family only and not to exceed the recommendations of New Jersey Executive Order No. 107 (2020) and Administrative Order 2020-04, that gatherings of 10 persons or fewer are permitted.
- Beginning on Monday, May 18, cemetery visitation will be permitted weekdays, Monday through Saturday, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., after all interments are completed.
- Memorial Day Masses at our all archdiocesan cemeteries are postponed until further notice.~ Announcements are forthcoming regarding a live-stream or video of Memorial Day Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery.
- All persons entering archdiocesan cemetery and mausoleum premises must wear a facemask and practice social distancing as per the state’s mandate. Signs will be posted in cemeteries.
We urge everyone to please adhere to these guidelines for the protection of all. If state and local mandates are not followed, it would be disappointing to all if prior restrictions were reinforced.For the latest archdiocesan announcements and updates go to www.rcan.org/covid19.
