Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cemetery costs?

Costs vary by product and cemetery.  Our preplanning staff will educate you on your options and costs.

What assurances do I have that the cemetery will be kept up even after it is full and generates no more revenue?

A percentage of the cost of each grave or niche goes into a permanent care fund which insures that our cemetery will be maintained.

What is perpetual care and maintenance?

Perpetual care and maintenance income – a portion of the purchase price contributed to a special fund – provides for regular care and maintenance of the cemetery, which can include mowing, regrading, planting and maintaining trees, water supply system maintenance, roads, drainage, and more.  The minimum amount that can be contributed to the fund is usually legally mandated.

Do I have to pay in full now for cemetery property?

No.  We offer convenient payment plans designed to fit your means, with no interest.  Major credit cards are also accepted.

What does a funeral cost?

Costs will vary by the merchandise and services you select.

Is there a time limit after a death for a person to be buried?

States have different laws; some limit the maximum time before final disposition.  Things that must be considered: securing official permits and authorizations, notifying friends and family, preparation of the burial site, and religious requirements.  Your funeral director will be well-versed on the regulations.

What about embalming – is it required? 

No.  Embalming is a matter of choice and is not required.  Your decision will be influenced by several factors: 1) length of time between death and burial; 2) if you plan to have an open coffin or casket for a public visitation; 3) to enhance the deceased's appearance in an open casket for public viewing or private viewing by family members; 4) public transportation of the body by plane or train.

What are interment fees?

Fees for interment cover the cost of many separate services performed by cemetery personnel. They include administering and permanent recordkeeping – we determine ownership, obtain permission and complete all other necessary documents, enter the interment details in the interment register, and maintain all legal files.  The fees also include opening and closing the grave – we locate and lay out the boundaries of the grave, excavate and fill the space.  We also install and remove the lowering device, place and remove artificial grass and cocoa-matting at the grave site, level, tamp, regrade and sod the grave site, and level and re-sod it if the earth settles.

What is a burial vault?

A burial vault is the outside container into which the casket itself is placed.  It is designed to protect the casket and keep the grave surface from sinking in.  Burial vaults vary – they can be built of one or more of the following materials: concrete, stainless steel, galvanized steel, copper, bronze, plastic, and fiberglass.

May I make the necessary arrangements in advance?

Yes.  You can make all arrangements in advance.  Planning ahead lets you consider the options you prefer.  As an informed consumer, you can make the decisions about your funeral, your cemetery arrangements, and the kind of memorial you want.  They will be meaningful decisions that will give you peace of mind knowing that you have relieved your loved ones of the emotional and financial burden of having to make decisions at a time of mourning.  It's also a wise economical choice, because you purchase at today's prices, free from future inflationary pressures.

Who should be involved in funeral preparation?

Family members and close friends of the deceased are encouraged to take an active role in preparing and choosing the elements of the Funeral Rite.  If possible, with preparation, they may preside at designated Rites or perform some ministerial roles.

Today individuals and families often plan the funeral before a person's death.  Such preplanning can have the effect of helping families face the reality of death with Christian hope.  It can also help relieve the family of numerous details after the death and may allow them to benefit more fully from the celebration of the Funeral Rite.

When I buy a grave, do I receive a deed?

No.  The purchase of a grave is actually a purchase of the right to designate who may be buried in that grave, and what kind of memorial you want – subject to what the cemetery's rules permit. You're not actually purchasing the grave itself – that remains the property and responsibility of the cemetery. Purchasers will receive a 'Certificate of Burial Rights' as proof of purchase.

Can I mail cremated remains to Saint John’s Abbey Cemetery?

Yes.   Cremated remains may be shipped through the U.S. Postal Service, but they must be shipped by registered mail with return receipt requested. UPS and FedEx will not accept cremated remains for shipment.

The United States Postal Service has the following rules for shipping human ashes:

Cremated Remains

462.2 Human ashes are permitted to be mailed provided they are packaged as required in 463b (SEE BELOW.) The identity of the contents should be marked on the address side. Mail pieces must be sent registered mail with return receipt service.

Packaging and Marking - The following conditions apply:

463b. Powders. Dry materials that could cause damage, discomfort, destruction, or soiling upon escape (i.e., leakage) must be packed in siftproof containers or other containers that are sealed in durable siftproof outer containers.

What is the proper procedure for mailing cremated remains to Saint John’s Abbey?

Mail to:

Saint John’s Abbey Cemetery Office, PO Box 2015, Collegeville, Minnesota 56321

Step 1: Get the proper container. The cremation remains must be in a container that is sealed and resilient enough to withstand shipping. The container also must be spill-proof.

Step 2: Fill out a Registered Mail Return Receipt Requested form. This is a green and white card offered by the United States Postal Service to request proof of delivery. The card will be mailed back to you with the signature of the person who received the cremation remains.

Step 3: Identify the package as containing cremation remains. This must be noted on the address side of the shipping label.

Step 4: Go to the nearest post office and ship the cremation remains either by Express Mail, Priority Mail or Package Services. All three of these options allow you to ship using the Registered Mail Return Receipt Requested feature.

(320) 363-3434 | info@saintjohnsabbeycemetery.org