Community Outreach
In addition to the services provided by our staff on site at the cemeteries, we have an Outreach staff committed to educating the community about all issues related to end-of-life. The Outreach staff can provide resources (brochures, workshops, bereavement support, etc) to you or your organization.
- Outreach Calendar of Events
- Brochures
- End of Life Care & Bereavement Support
- Planning a Christian Funeral
- Published Articles
- School Resources
- Parish Resources
- Past Events Photo Gallery
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
Catholic Cemeteries of San Jose offers more than one-time services at the cemetery. As a ministry of the church, we believe that our responsibility is to care for you and your loved ones before, during, and after a death occurs and the need for traditional cemetery services arises. In addition to end-of-life educational sessions, we offer consolation workshops and specialized training for bereavement support groups.
Catholic Cemeteries will refer those in need to both parish and community grief support resources.
Training Series
The opportunity for volunteer support in the parish setting is wide ranging. The training and enrichment series will prepare you for this ministry. It can range between 5 - 10 sessions. The introduction emphasizes the importance of presence, discernment and the options for a parish program. Basic sessions include communication, the grief process, facilitating groups, and the identification of particular ministries for your parish. Prayers and activities are woven into each session. If your pastor invites you to assist in funeral planning, a session for that can also be arranged.
We appreciate parishes hosting a series and welcoming others to participate. These series will be announced in the diocesan daily bulletin, published on our website and sent to nearby parishes will a special invitation to attend.
END OF LIFE CARE & ADVANCED DIRECTIVES
Advanced Directives (Power of Attorney for Health Care) is a document that clearly states your requests regarding health care if you are unable to do it for yourself. It names the person(s) that should carry out those wishes.
Workshops
We offer an Advanced Directives workshop to discusses important issues that arise from these decisions. Your family and health-care providers will respect and appreciate this legal statement and be grateful for the clarity and certainty that it provides.
We appreciate parishes hosting a series and welcoming others to participate. These series will be announced in the diocesan daily bulletin, published on our website and sent to nearby parishes will a special invitation to attend.
Resources:
Local Community:
Pathways home Health, Hospice & Private duty
Websites:
This website provides the most current forms and instructions for Advanced Health Care Directives, and Do Not Resuscitate (DNR).
Publications:
CareNotes (One Caring Place) 1-800-325-2511
The End-of-Life Handbook by David B. Feldman, Ph.D. and S. Andrew Lasher, Jr., MD
Facing Death Together: Parish Funerals by Margaret Smith
Awaken To Good Mourning by Mark E. Hundley
All Will Be Well: A Gathering of Healing Prayers edited by Lyn Klug
Seasons of Hope: Creating and Sustaining Catholic Bereavement Groups by Donna MacLeod
For assistance or more information, contact:
Nicole Lecheler or Will Sousae
Cemetery Outreach
408-258-2940
cemeteryinfo@dsj.org
How do you want to be remembered?
Learn about different burial options.
Do you have questions about end-of-life or bereavement?
What people are saying about us
"The presenter was not only training us to facilitate grief groups but was cognizant and aware of individual needs and quietly addressed them — she's wonderful."
- Corinne Ruschin
(on bereavement training)
