CV NEWS FEED // The Archdiocese of Chicago is the first Illinois diocese to offer “environmentally friendly” burial options at the newly opened Meadows of St. Kateri, part of St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery.
The new section of the cemetery will be blessed on September 8, after the celebration of an outdoor Mass, according to the Archdiocese of Chicago.
The executive director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Ted Ratajczyk, said, “We are honored to offer a new natural burial option that not only respects the environment but also aligns with Catholic teachings for treating the human body with dignity.”
He continued, “This initiative reflects our commitment to providing choices that honor the dignity of life, the needs of our community and the values of our faith.”
Chicago’s Catholic Cemeteries website explained that,
natural burials forego harsh embalming fluids, traditional caskets, and outer burial containers in favor of biodegradable materials, organic fibers, and eco-friendly embalming techniques. This minimizes environmental impact while honoring the natural cycle of life and death.
The Archdiocese explained that the new burial grounds were named after St. Kateri Tekakwitha because she is the patroness of the environment, as well as ecology and indigenous peoples.
The Archdiocese described the new section of the cemetery as “a sacred and beautiful space for quiet reflection and connection with nature for families to visit and remember their loved ones.”
“The peaceful setting will feature winding walking trails, native plants and a mixture of meadow and forest terrain,” the Archdiocese added.
The priest director of the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Cemeteries, Very Rev. Lawrence Sullivan, said “Today’s cemeteries are called to be sacred places where loved ones are remembered, and God’s presence is felt.”
The Ministry hopes the Meadows “will bring this sense of God’s love to our families,” he continued.
