Over the centuries, a tradition has grown that it is the right, privilege and duty of every Catholic to seek burial in a Catholic cemetery. However, living in the midst of changing circumstances has resulted in changing perceptions in the minds of some regarding the relevance of the Catholic cemetery in the scheme of their lives.

While the Church has moved away from a legislative stance and no longer mandates that all Catholics be buried in Catholic cemeteries, the reasons for maintaining and using Catholic cemeteries are as powerful and compelling as ever. The usual and proper place for the burial of Catholics is still the Catholic cemetery in view of the values contained in the Church's burial tradition.