Diocesan Leadership
Those serving within the various departments of an archdiocese or diocese possess extraordinary resources. Whether the department is pastoral, clergy, finance, human resources, catechetical, or liturgical, diocesan leaders and staff can offer creative and essential supports to parishes with cemetery responsibilities. To do so effectively, a foundational understanding of parish cemetery ministry is required. The Toolbox for Parish Cemeteries provides this knowledge in an organized and comprehensive manner, while the Supervisory Handbook provides essential support to diocesan boards and fiscal/property leadership.

Parish Leadership

Pastors
Pastors are ultimately responsible for the parish cemetery, yet most have never been schooled in its theological meaning, pastoral opportunities, or administrative requirements. Reading the manuals of the Toolbox for Parish Cemeteries enables the busy pastor or pastoral administrator to understand challenges, recognize opportunities, delegate appropriately, supervise responsibly, and offer periodic theological, pastoral, and operations maintenance guidance.

Parish Business Managers
Often delegated for parish cemetery oversight, the parish business manager is occupied with a myriad of parish responsibilities and typically lacks prior cemetery experience. The complexity of the cemetery apostolate requires a thoughtful blend of religious and business disciplines. The manuals help the business manager more fully accept cemetery administrative responsibilities, hire or supervise a cemetery manager, or form and guide a group of parish volunteers willing to undertake this apostolate. This support is even more essential as parishes and consolidated and restructured with significant numbers of cemeteries within new parish structures.

Cemetery Boards
These publications provide a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and challenges inherent in the proper administration of a parish cemetery. Across the United States, volunteer cemetery board members continue to advance in age and seek replacements. These resources offer opportunities to educate and support existing boards and serve as tools to recruit, train, and guide new board members into more effective ministerial service within this apostolate.

Finance Councils
Parish structures often do not recognize the variety of ministerial roles the parish cemetery can and should play within the parish community. For this understanding to take root, parish leadership — including boards and councils — must appreciate the mission and ministerial opportunities of the cemetery apostolate. When cemetery leaders present reports and requests, council members who are familiar with these resources can better understand the complexities of cemetery challenges and opportunities and become responsible guides and innovative partners in this ministry.