As Catholics, we proclaim in the Memorial Acclamation at Mass: “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.” That is our faith—that Jesus Christ died for our salvation, rose from the dead, and will return again in glory.

In the Profession of Faith, we state our belief in “the resurrection of the body and life everlasting.” We have assurance from Christ that He will raise our mortal bodies to life also, on the last day. “God, in His almighty power, will definitely grant incorruptible life to our bodies by reuniting them with our souls, through the power of Jesus’ Resurrection.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #997)

Catholic cemeteries bear public witness to our belief in the fulfillment of that promise. It is there that the faithful await together the return of Christ in glory and the resurrection of their bodies.