Holy Sepulchre Cemetery — Local services in Cheltenham Township

We have many family members buried here and it was always a good experience, peaceful and respectful until there was a recent change and I must say, it’s not for the better. We were forced, and I do mean forced, to have a meeting and view the burial plot before we could have the services. We needed to sit there while Cheryl, a Family Service Counselor described who were already in our plot(s)and then proceeded to tell us about the family plots, who was already buried in them, and then how many feet our loved ones were and, going forward, would be buried under the ground. This to me is unnecessary, insensitive, and unneeded. We then had to go the the plot and agree that yes, this is the spot so they could flag it and begin with their next step. We had no idea if they were showing the correct spot but assumed they knew best. We were insulted by the counselor who was verbally unhappy that our family had decided many years ago to not have a headstone. And then we were asked when we would be returning after the burial for another meeting to discuss how the burial went. Why?! Why would we need to do this, if there was a problem then okay, we’d be in touch but there shouldn’t be, there wasn’t and we did not intend to return however my family rec’d calls to try to book us back in. I’m so sorry that this was our experience and I truly feel for families, especially when there is a sudden and/or tragic passing, who have to go through this too. My hope in writing this is that the procedure is re-examined and that there is someone who deals with families that has much more empathy and professionalism then Cheryl...

I'm very grateful that I was able to meet a beautiful person named Danae working today. When the Archdiocese owned the cemeteries, things were much different. Another company came in and broke so many hearts and did not care for the cemetery. Despite the expense, I thought it was going to come down to having to move my precious father and grandmother to a different diocese where I know they would get the perpetual care. It's heartbreaking to see my father's grave and everything around it in such disrepair. Each time, I go to the office. I feel like they do listen, even the old evil company. But today was different. Danae was just such a compassionate, kind-hearted and understanding person and I feel a lot of hope that my father's section will no longer be ignored. Thank you to Danae for giving me the first hope I've had in years. Update: I even received a phone call from them letting me know that my father section was indeed landscaped the very next day. After so many years of frustration, I didn't know if it was back to being ignored but this new entity definitely seems to take the time to care. My advice if you have a loved one there? Just let the office know. Danae absolutely did care and I was emailed photos today of a beautiful section where my father and...

I am a 71 year old retiree on a fixed income. Today, I spoke with a representative of the cemetery about interning one and maybe two set of ashes. I was quoted a price of nearly $2700 to merely open a family owned plot. I was told that there’s lot that goes on behind the scene. I am guessing that the grave diggers and secretaries get a cut of the $2700. Also, they no longer accept ashes in an urn that were placed in 2013. An elephant could sit on it and give itself hemorrhoids, that’s how sturdy it is. When I mentioned that, I thought the price was a bit exorbitant and asked if there is any Catholic charity or Catholic benevolence that could help me, I was told no. This doesn’t sound very Christian or Jesus like at all. I guess Jesus is invoked, only when it’s convenient! I then ask if I just could dig the hole myself, and I was told no, even though it is allowed by Pennsylvania law. I am guessing I’ll be ostracized now, and not given any chance of internment of two people who were very good Catholics! I am wondering, where in the Bible is...