Calvary Cemetery

Calvary Cemetery is part and parcel of the corporate structure of St. Patrick Parish, Whitewater, WI. The Cemetery Board and Parish, through the Parish Finance Council, is immediately responsible for the operation and management of the cemetery. Any questions regarding the operation of the cemetery, arranging burials, purchasing burial rights, or placing of headstones shall be directed to the Parish Office, 262-473-3143 ext. 212. 

Calvary Cemetery is open for visitation from dawn to dusk. Cemetery is closed every year on October 31.

Calvary Cemetery Rules and Regulations

Burial Rights

• Burial rights (gravesites) are only leased by a representative of the Parish or Cemetery Board
• When burial rights are paid for in full, the Parish Office shall issue a Certificate of Easement
• No person shall have burial rights in any grave or lot unless his/her name appears on the cemetery records for that burial space. A burial right owner may designate a gravesite to another party (family member or otherwise), but this is not a transfer of burial right ownership, rather a designation allowing that person to be interred in that gravesite. Owners can transfer ownership though the Parish Office. 

Burials

• All burials must be paid in full in the Parish Office before interment
• Casket burial: $750.00
• Cremation Burial: $350.00
• Winter Burial: $1,050.00
• Winter Cremation: $650.00
• The Cemetery Board requires a minimum 72 hour notice for an interment. Burial vaults are required for full casket and urn ground interments. Burial vaults serve the purpose of protecting the caskets, urns and mortal remains within, and maintain the integrity of the cemetery ground (prevent collapsing and cave-ins). People are able to purchase burial vaults from a number of sources, including local funeral homes
• When doing a winter burial, we must also be mindful of the adverse conditions which might exist for those who would be attending the burial service. A burial may be postponed if the cemetery authority or pastor/administrator/pastoral leader agree on the impracticability of the burial. There may be additional fees associated with winter burials

If you are working with a funeral home, they can help you take care of all the above.

Monuments or Markers

Monuments are above ground. Markers are flush to ground (flat).

Gravesites may be placed in Calvary Cemetery as follows: 

• Concrete base on single grave not more than 36", 72" for double. 
• Upright individual monuments shall not exceed 30” in width and 36” in height with max base width of 36”
• 2 plots 50” x 36” with max base width of 54”
• Cemetery management must be contacted by family or the memorial dealer prior to any monument or marker being placed. Cemetery management will verify the correct location, and will then issue approval to the respective memorial dealer in writing
• Monuments and markers are property of the burial right owners. Damage which occurs through Acts of God or vandalism is the responsibility of the owners. It is recommended monuments and markers be added to homeowner insurance policies 

Decorations

Decorations may be placed on burial sites as follows:

• Any floral arrangements must be placed in rigid containers (no glass or wood)
• Any floral arrangements must be placed to the side of the monument, not in front or in back of it
• Any in-ground planting of shrubs or plants is prohibited
• Military Medallion must be placed to the side of the monument/marker
• Fall and/or winter decorations should be removed by March 31st to facilitate spring clean-up
• Spring and/or summer decorations should be removed by September 30th to facilitate fall clean-up
• Decorations not removed by designated dates will be removed by cemetery staff and discarded
• Grave adornment such as solar light or shepherd’s hooks are only permitted on the side and in line with monument/markers

Last updated: May 2024 by Cemetery Committee