Dozens of abandoned persons receive proper burial at Holy Cross
As I stood outside the mausoleum at Holy Cross Cemetery on Wednesday, I watched Father Barnett hand the first urn—much smaller than the others—to one of the seminarians. “Baby Boy, Luke.” My heart hit the floor as I felt some emotion I couldn’t even describe as a young father myself. The realities of our earthly end lay before me as the small urn was placed into the cavernous mausoleum. And for a little one like this, far too soon.
For the next 15 minutes, urns of all sizes were passed from priest to seminarian and seminarian to cemetery worker before making their final rest in the mausoleum. The seminarians read each name inscribed on the urn before passing it on—a small act giving dignity to the person who once enlivened those ashes.
Sadly, each of those 40 people was in some way abandoned after their death. No family members stepped forward to receive their remains and lay them to rest. Each of them had a name and a story, but we will likely never know the latter.
In the Catholic tradition, burying the dead is a Corporal Work of Mercy. One might think of laying to rest their family members with a proper visitation, funeral Mass, and burial—with funeral cheesy potatoes notwithstanding. However, there are some weary souls that, for various reasons, have no one to bury them.
This ministry often falls to the Catholic cemeteries and the priests who serve there. Rarely does anyone outside of the Church, or even Catholic laity, partake in a ministry such as this. In Spokane, Father Barnett, rector of Bishop White Seminary, was present to offer a funeral for these souls. The funeral was simple and humbling, as no family was present. Only Father, the Cor Christi seminarians, a few funeral staff members, and two Spokane County Medical Examiners Office representatives were present.
Father and a few seminarians as serves processed into the Masuslouem Chapel. Various scripture passages were read, Father gave a small homily, and the urns were blessed with holy water. Then, the seminarians processed the urns from the chapel into the exterior crypt. All 40 urns were placed in the Crypt of the Holy Angels while the seminarians sang hymns or assisted in the burial.
For the county medical examiners present, each year leads up to this moment. The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office is the contact to call when the family does not claim the deceased. These phone calls often come from regional hospitals but can also come from anywhere. The county then partakes in an investigation to find links to family members so that they may bury them. Sometimes, family or friends are located in Spokane or across the country.
Sadly, there are still contingents where no family or friends can be found or contacted each year. Those 40 poor souls were laid to rest on Wednesday at Holy Cross. Spokane County Medical Examiners said they were “grateful for the Catholic Church for giving these men and women a funeral and resting place they deserve.”
May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
