St. Hedwig Cemetery

St. Hedwig Cemetery Founded in 1924, St. Hedwig Cemetery & Mausoleum, Dearborn Heights, has served Catholic families in southeastern Michigan for more than 100 years.

Our sacred grounds are operated by the Conventual Franciscans of Saint Bonaventure Province. Although our office hours are M-F 8:30am-4:00pm & Sat. 8:30am-1:00pm, our sacred grounds open 365 days per year at 8:00am. For the safety of our visiting families, closing time varies by season and is typically around dusk. Our office is also closed all federal holidays, and most church holidays. REMEMBER:

The greatest gift you can give your loved ones is the gift of pre-arranging your final wishes. Ask us how we can help!

A Message for Mother’s DayFrom the Conventual Franciscan Friars of St. Bonaventure ProvinceThe friars of St. Bonaventure...
05/06/2026

A Message for Mother’s Day
From the Conventual Franciscan Friars of St. Bonaventure Province

The friars of St. Bonaventure Province extend our wishes for a blessed and happy Mother’s Day to all mothers who labor unceasingly so their children may gain eternal joy in Heaven.
On this Mother’s Day, may we lift our prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Heavenly Mother, asking her to intercede on behalf of all mothers, that they may be blessed with the grace, wisdom, and strength to continue their sacred vocation of love.
✝
For those mothers who have passed into our Father’s loving embrace, grant them eternal peace and joy in His presence. In the Catholic faith, we hold fast to the hope that death is not the end, but a doorway into eternal life with God. Our mothers, who once held us in their arms, are now held in the embrace of the Father’s infinite love.
We remember that Mary, the mother of Jesus, also knew the pain of separation from her Son, yet she trusted in God’s promise of resurrection. In the same way, we entrust our own mothers to the mercy of Christ, believing that they now share in the joy of His Kingdom.
May we find comfort in knowing that the bond between a mother and child is never broken, rather it is transformed. In God’s time, we will be reunited, and every tear will be wiped away. Until then, we carry their love in our hearts, living out the virtues they taught us, and trusting in the promise of eternal life.

Pax et Bonum
Conventual Franciscan Friars
St. Bonaventure Province
St. Hedwig Cemetery • Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Progress can be messy business... but when all is said and done, it is always so rewarding to see the fruits of your lab...
04/24/2026

Progress can be messy business... but when all is said and done, it is always so rewarding to see the fruits of your labor! The first phase of our upright monument foundations in Section 5E are poured, bringing us one step closer to being ready to make these beautiful new spaces available to our families. Next is the clean up, then the healing of our turf. Stay tuned for more details, scan the QR code in this post, or simply call us. We would love to hear from you.

Stop by our beautiful Ascension Cremation Courtyard and see our stunning new options - Pedestal Statuary for four urns o...
04/08/2026

Stop by our beautiful Ascension Cremation Courtyard and see our stunning new options - Pedestal Statuary for four urns or Bevel Monuments for two urns. Call us today for more information!

We as Catholics are blessed in so many ways, not the least of which is the depth and breadth of centuries of tradition, ...
03/30/2026

We as Catholics are blessed in so many ways, not the least of which is the depth and breadth of centuries of tradition, dating back to the incarnation of the one true Apostolic Church founded by St. Peter himself. Amongst these traditions would be our belief in sainthood, and specifically Patron Saints.
The concept of Patron Saints dates back to the fourth century when early Christians started venerating martyrs. It was believed that martyrs were particularly close to God due to their refusal to abandon their faith even when faced with what was sure to be immense suffering followed by a painful, public death. These early Christians believed that martyrs had the ability to intercede on their behalf, and over time the veneration of saints expanded beyond martyrs to include other holy believers who were known for demonstrating exceptional holiness and virtue. The general concept of Patron Saints has grown to transcend religious denominations and now is recognized not only in our own Catholic faith, but also in Orthodoxy and Anglicanism.
As we all know, there are Patron Saints for nearly every profession, vocation and avocation there is. Fortunately, we as cemetery and funeral professionals are no exception. In fact, many may not know that there are actually three different Patron Saints that are looking over us as we all serve others in this very special Corporal Work of Mercy:

• St. Anthony of Egypt – Patron Saint of Gravediggers (Feast Day January 17). Upon selling his vast riches, he became a hermit and lived in a tomb.
• St. Joseph of Arimathea – Patron Saint of Funeral Directors, Morticians, and Undertakers (Feast Days March 17 in the western church, and July 31 in the Eastern Orthodox church). Placed the crucified body of Jesus in his own tomb.
• Saint Callistus I (aka Callixtus) – Patron Saint of Cemetery Workers (Feast Day October 14). The sixteenth Pope of the Catholic Church. He established the first communal Christian cemetery along the Appian Way, which later become known as the Catacombs of St. Callistus.

Knowing that these and other holy men and women are there to intercede before God on our behalf, offer us guidance, inspiration and protection can bring peace to a troubled soul. Patron Saints are intertwined with the development of our Christian practices and beliefs and reflect our desire for guidance and protection, and have the power to bring comfort and consolation.

St. Anthony of Egypt, Pray for us.
St. Joseph of Arimathea, Pray for us.
St. Callistus, Pray for us.

We were very proud to support today's Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Choice Awards & Expo! Congratulations to...
03/23/2026

We were very proud to support today's Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Choice Awards & Expo! Congratulations to today's winners. We look forward to continuing our wonderful relationship with the chamber!

Great Question!Consecrated grounds, such as at St. Hedwig Cemetery & Mausoleum, are formally dedicated by a Bishop for s...
03/20/2026

Great Question!

Consecrated grounds, such as at St. Hedwig Cemetery & Mausoleum, are formally dedicated by a Bishop for sacred burial, making the land permanently holy. This applies to the ground spaces themselves, as well as Mausoleum Crypts and Cremation Niches. Blessed grounds are broader, often referring to a general blessing or a temporary “invocation of favor,” which can apply to consecrated sites or other areas, including non-Catholic or secular cemeteries.

Most Notable Comparisons:
• Consecration: A formal, typically irreversible process performed by a Bishop to set aside land specifically for religious, Christian use. It implies a permanent holy status. (“Sacred or set apart; dedicated to the service or worship of a deity or for a spiritual or religious purpose.” – Dictionary.com)
• Blessing: A prayer asking for God’s grace or protection, which can be applied to gravesites, homes, or areas generally, without elevating them to the strict, perpetual status of consecrated land.
• Purpose: Consecrated ground, such as at a Catholic cemetery, is meant to be a holy, set-apart resting place. Blessed ground is a broader term, which can include consecrated sites, but might also refer to graves blessed temporarily.
• Distinction: In many cases, consecrated ground is a type of blessed ground, but not all blessed ground is consecrated. Consecration is a "stronger" dedication to sacred use.

So, choosing a Catholic cemetery for burial is often seen as a final, profound act of faith that offers unique spiritual and communal benefits. While the Code of Canon Law allows Catholics to choose their own place of burial, including secular cemeteries, the Church strongly encourages burial in consecrated Catholic grounds. Also, when you select St. Hedwig Cemetery & Mausoleum for your or your loved one’s final resting place, you are directly supporting the Conventual Franciscans of Bonaventure Province and the many wonderful ministries they support.

Call us for more information on how you can give your loved ones the greatest gift of all by pre-arranging your final wishes.

Contrary to what many Catholics believe even today, the Catholic Church has long accepted cremation, provided it does no...
03/12/2026

Contrary to what many Catholics believe even today, the Catholic Church has long accepted cremation, provided it does not reflect an individual’s denial of faith in the resurrection of the body, and the church emphasizes that ashes must be treated with respect and kept in a sacred place, no different than casketed remains.

A Little History:
For many centuries the Catholic Church strictly forbade cremation due to its belief in the resurrection of the body, and the original pagan history of cremation. However, the church’s stance has evolved over time, particularly in 1963 following the Second Vatican Council, when the Church lifted the ban on cremation, allowing it as long as the choice was not made in rejection of Christian doctrine. The Church recognizes there are practical and personal reasons for choosing cremation. However, it still prefers traditional burial as a more respectful option. The church fully embraces the fact that our Heavenly Father’s omnipotence will allow for the resurrection of the faithful departed regardless of the nature or condition of our bodies here on Earth. However, keeping in mind that our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, traditional burials provide less potential for disrespect of this temple than cremation could.

Current Guidelines:
1. Respect for Ashes/Cremated Remains: The Church teaches that cremated remains must be treated with the same respect as a body. This includes placing the ashes in a “worthy vessel,” such as an urn, and ensuring they are laid to rest in a sacred and permanent place, typically a consecrated cemetery, mausoleum, or columbarium. This promotes not only respect for the body, but also a singular solemn location where loved ones can visit and pray for their faithful departed.

2. Prohibition of Scattering: The Church prohibits the scattering of ashes on land, sea, or air, as well as dividing ashes among family members or keeping them in jewelry or other objects. This, once again, is a belief based out of respect for the body that God gave us, and is to maintain the dignity of the deceased.

3. Recent Updates: In December 2023, the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith reiterated these guidelines. Additionally, parishes may establish defined sacred places for the commingling of ashes, commonly known as “Ossuaries.”

In Conclusion:
So, yes, the church has long allowed cremation. It emphasizes the importance of treating the ashes with respect and ensuring they are kept in a sacred place. The Church always has and always will uphold and profess the belief in the resurrection of the body, which influences its guidelines on cremation and the handling of cremated remains. With this being the case, St. Hedwig Cemetery & Mausoleum has many, many different beautiful and dignified options on our sacred grounds for families who select cremation. Call us or stop by to learn more.

Address

23755 Military Road
Dearborn Heights, MI
48127

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4pm
Friday 8:30am - 4pm
Saturday 8:30am - 1pm

Telephone

(313)5621900

Website

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