Cremated Remains Given Final Resting Place In Catholic Cemetery

November 2nd is the feast of All Souls Day.  Bishop Robert Gruss of the Diocese of Saginaw celebrated an All Souls Day Mass at Calvary Cemetery in Kawkawlin for 175 individuals whose cremains have not been claimed by family or friends.  Among the 175 individuals are 6 babies, 13 veterans and 4 married couples.  In most cases, the name and date of death as well as city and township of the individuals are known.  There are a few unidentified remains.  The oldest cremains go back to 1972.

Following the Mass, the cremains were entombed in a crypt in the mausoleum.  Military Honors were presented by the Bay County Veterans Council Honor Guard.

Bishop Gruss said “The remains of all people, regardless of faith, are sacred to us.  It is my desire to show our love and concern for our brothers and sisters by upholding their God given dignity and providing them a final resting place where they will be remembered.”

Diocese of Saginaw Catholic Cemeteries Director Alice Lefevre said “We show the same respect we would if the body were here.  No one would ever put a loved one in a casket and then not bury or entomb them.”

A committal service near the crypt followed the Mass.