Ola wrote: "I don't have any proof of this so I might be wrong but I haven't heard of a practice of confirmation of baptism before burial." Dennis responds: It is common and done all the time. In fact, baptism a requirement. Catholic cemeteries are intended for use only by Catholics and, in some cases, by their properly baptized non-Catholic family members. About the only exception that comes to mind is in the cases of fetuses and stillborns of Catholic parents. Although these individuals have had no opportunity for baptism, their remains are nonetheless eligible for Christian burial at a Catholic cemetery. Today, some Catholic cemeteries set aside a section specifically for the "Holy Innocents". The process of determining eligility for burial at a Catholic cemetery is often veiled because many times it is routinely done in far advance of the actual interrment. Have you purchased lots at a Catholic cemetery? You'll be asked seemingly routine questions about your backkground, marriage, and parish. All of this information is verified by the proper clerics before the deal is finalized. The process weeds out a number of folks who have lived their lives outside of the wisdom and teachings of Mother Church and still want to the privilege of burial in a Catholic cemetery. Alas, sinners, you can't have it both ways. Repent! Pax et bonum, Dennis

Dennis, it appears that you and I are discussing different areas, so to speak. You asked: Have you purchased lots at a Catholic cemetery? You'll be asked seemingly routine questions about your backkground, marriage, and parish. All of this information is verified by the proper clerics before the deal is finalized. No, I haven't purchased any lots at a Catholic cemetery. You seem to be talking about practices in the United States. I admit that I know nothing about burials in the US. When I disagreed with you on the issue regarding the record in question I was talking about Poland which is where the record originated. All information I provided is based on practices in Poland not the US. Catholics and non-Catholics are buried next to each other in cemeteries in Poland, regardless of their church affiliation. It's true that priests are reluctant to provide Catholic burial ceremonies to people who are not "in good standing" (a proof of "good standing" these days is a notation in a parish register that a person welcomed a priest in his/her home for "koleda" - an annual priest's visit after Christmas). But they do it nevertheless and no proof of baptism or any other sacrament is required. That I actually know from experience :) Cheers, Ola On 6 Aug 2009 at 15:43, Dennis Benarz wrote: > > > Ola wrote: > > "I don't have any proof of this so I might be wrong but I haven't heard of a > practice of confirmation of baptism before burial." > > Dennis responds: > > It is common and done all the time. In fact, baptism a requirement. Catholic > cemeteries are intended for use only by Catholics and, in some cases, by > their properly baptized non-Catholic family members. About the only > exception that comes to mind is in the cases of fetuses and stillborns of > Catholic parents. Although these individuals have had no opportunity for > baptism, their remains are nonetheless eligible for Christian burial at a > Catholic cemetery. Today, some Catholic cemeteries set aside a section > specifically for the "Holy Innocents". > > The process of determining eligility for burial at a Catholic cemetery is > often veiled because many times it is routinely done in far advance of the > actual interrment. Have you purchased lots at a Catholic cemetery? You'll be > asked seemingly routine questions about your backkground, marriage, and > parish. All of this information is verified by the proper clerics before the > deal is finalized. The process weeds out a number of folks who have lived > their lives outside of the wisdom and teachings of Mother Church and still > want to the privilege of burial in a Catholic cemetery. Alas, sinners, you > can't have it both ways. Repent! > > Pax et bonum, > > Dennis > > > > > > ********************************* > Need to contact the list manager? Write to Marie at GALICIA-admin@rootsweb.com > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to GALICIA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >