Catholic parishes in the Diocese of Allentown that oversee a cemetery may participate in the newly created donor designated cemetery fund program started by the Catholic Foundation.
Cemeteries are required by law to set aside a portion of the sale of burial plots in a perpetual care account. The purpose is to cover the long-term maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery.
The Catholic Foundation is the best option for parishes to invest and manage perpetual care cemetery funds. There are a number of key benefits that support the donor designated cemetery fund as a “true long-term care” option:
- Protects the intent of the funds
- Higher rate of investment return
- Keeps up with inflation
- Allows for flexibility in withdrawals