Diocese of Pittsburgh Suspends Catholic Funeral Masses and Services; Changes Cemetery Regulations

The Diocese of Pittsburgh has suspended all Catholic funeral Masses and services as the number of coronavirus cases and deaths continues to climb. As of Saturday, there were 2,751 confirmed cases in Pennsylvania and 34 confirmed deaths.

In an effort to prevent the spread of the virus and save lives, the diocese is locking all church buildings and suspending the celebration of sacraments, which includes funerals.

“No Funeral Masses or services, inclusive of those at funeral homes, can be scheduled,” according to letter sent to clergy by the Most Reverend David A. Zubik, the Bishop of Pittsburgh. “Provisions are to be made for the celebration of Memorial Masses after the virus subsides. In the interim, priests are to remember the dead in their private Masses and their prayer intentions and to share that information with the family of the deceased as a source of consolation. Also, cemeteries have already indicated the prohibition of even a small number of people gathering for burial.”

Effective Monday, March 30, all Catholic Cemeteries will limit burial services to direct interments, direct entombments, and direct inurnments. These temporary changes are being made to protect the employees and the loved ones who visit the cemeteries. Families are welcome to visit the cemetery to pay their respects after the burial has been completed.

On Saturday, Gov. Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine revised their stay-at-home orders to include Washington County. This order will continue until April 6, according the Washington Observer-Reporter.

Prior, the Governor had issued a proclamation limiting the number of people gathered to 10 at a time. As a result, funerals and burials were to be small and private. We are currently waiting to hear if the stay-at-home order changes this stipulation and whether or not funerals will be permitted at all.

Please continue to follow Thompson-Marodi1862 for future updates. Please call the Thompson-Marodi Funeral Home, Inc. at 7250239-2255 if you have any questions.

This article was written by Randi Marodi of the Thompson-Marodi Funeral Home, Inc., 809 Main Street, Bentleyville, Pa.