WELCOME CATHEDRAL MEMORIAL GARDENS

 The Diocese of Orange and Bishop Tod D. Brown would like to inform you of an update regarding the Crystal Cathedral.

Diocese of Orange Formally Acquires

Crystal Cathedral and Adjacent Campus

Orange, CA (February 3, 2012) --- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange is announcing today the close of escrow for the Crystal Cathedral and its adjacent 30.9 acre campus in Garden Grove. Formal transfer of title to the Diocese has been made. Occupancy of the campus and use of the cathedral itself will not be immediate.  Under the terms of the agreement, Crystal Cathedral Ministries may continue to use the church and some other campus structures for a period of up to three years. Operational and administrative transfer of the Memorial Gardens to the Diocese will be immediate. A diocesan pastoral center will be established on the site in due course in anticipation that nearby St. Callistus Catholic parish will eventually transfer to the new campus.

Updates to follow throughout the process…

Diocese of Orange Formally Acquires Crystal Cathedral and Adjacent Campus

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FAQ’s

Q: When does the Diocese of Orange take possession of the Crystal Cathedral Memorial Gardens?

A: Immediately upon the close of escrow conveying the ownership to the Diocese of Orange

Q: Does the cemetery become exclusively Catholic, for Catholics only?

A: No, non-catholics may be buried in a Catholic Cemetery. The BOOK OF BLESSINGS, Chapter 43 Order for the Blessing of a Cemetery states in part; “In their cemeteries… [Catholics] bury and show due honor to the bodies not only of their brothers and sisters in faith, but also of those to whom they are bound by the ties of a common humanity…”

Q: Will the Diocese buy back interment spaces?

A: The Diocese is not required to buy back interment spaces. Your contract allows you to resell on the open market subject to a transfer and recording fee. The Diocese may decide to buy back interment spaces in the future.

Q: Will the diocese sell spaces immediately after taking possession of the Memorial Gardens?

A: No. The diocese needs a period of time to review and verify mapping, ownership records, and transfer electronic files before we can re-open the Memorial Gardens for sale.  If you are interested in purchasing interment space, please contact us and we will put you on a list to be contacted when the verification process is completed.

Q: Will prices change?

A: All interment space prices will remain the same for at least 30 days from the reopening of sales. The Diocese will review the pricing schedule and may adjust them after the 30 days. The prevailing diocesan prices for services and merchandise will be effective immediately.

Q: Will there be any interruption in the scheduling of funeral services?

No. The diocese will be able to service interments immediately.

Q: Will the maintenance or decoration policy change.

A: Yes. Please refer to the Flower Decoration tab on the Home Page of our website for a complete explanation; occem.org