In the quiet embrace of the Diocese of Allentown, where time stands still among rows of monuments and whispered memories, a silent legacy unfolds. Here, the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania nurtures a commitment to eternal care through the vital support of cemetery funds.
The Heart of Perpetual Care
Cemetery funds are the unsung heroes, silently ensuring the beauty and dignity of Catholic cemeteries endure through the seasons. These funds provide a lifeline, a sustainable income that breathes life into the sacred grounds, covering the costs of landscaping, preserving monuments, and attending to the general maintenance that upholds the sanctity of these final resting places.
Under the stewardship of the Catholic Foundation, 24 cemetery funds stand as guardians for parishes in the Diocese of Allentown. These perpetual care funds alleviate the budgetary pressures on parishes, allowing them to focus on the spiritual well-being of their communities without the burden of extensive cemetery maintenance costs.
Catholic Cemeteries As the Seasons Change
As the seasons change, the call for support echoes louder. Donating to a Catholic cemetery endowment becomes a symbolic gesture—a fresh start and a commitment to the year-round care of these sacred grounds.
Spring and summer usher in increased demands for meticulous grass cutting, maintenance, and the repair of winter’s toll on cemetery roads. From plowing for funerals in the frosty months to clearing away debris after storms, the need is continuous. A gift to a cemetery fund becomes a promise, ensuring that these hallowed spaces are prepared for the cycles of nature that lie ahead.
Through generosity and commitment, donors become stewards of a legacy that honors the past and nurtures the future in the sacred spaces that hold the memories of those dearly departed. For Catholics, the month of November is referred to as the Month of Remembrance when we remember relatives and friends who have died.
Are There Tax Benefits for a Gift to a Catholic Cemetery Fund?
Gifts to a cemetery endowment fund may carry tax benefits. Depending on a donor’s tax situation, the act of giving becomes not only a meaningful commitment but also a potentially deductible one, easing the financial responsibility of both the donor and the parish.
Pete Waldron, President of the Catholic Foundation, encapsulates the spirit, stating, “Giving to a cemetery endowment fund is a meaningful way to support the long-term care of a cemetery and ease the burden on a parish to maintain it. A gift also honors and respects the memories of those who have passed away, contributing to a sacred space that provides solace and reflection for families and the community.”
