Holy Cross Cemetery (North Arlington, New Jersey)

Overview and purpose

The cemetery was created to provide consecrated ground for Catholic funerary practice and to meet the needs of a growing metropolitan population in the early 20th century. Landscaped sections, memorial gardens, and religious statuary reflect pastoral and liturgical priorities; grave markers and monuments record family histories and parish ties. As a diocesan cemetery, its administration follows canonical norms for consecration, burial rites, and long-term care.

Features and services

Holy Cross offers a range of interment options and services common to large Catholic cemeteries. These include:

• Mausoleums and family crypts for above-ground interment
• Columbaria and niches for cremated remains
• Designated areas and memorials for veterans and community groups
• Chapel spaces or prayer areas for brief services and devotional visits

Clergy from the Archdiocese typically preside over funeral liturgies and the blessing of burial spaces. Administrative staff assist families with plot selection, interment scheduling, and official records.

History and development

Founded in 1915, Holy Cross expanded during the 20th century as immigration and suburban growth increased demand for Catholic burial sites. Additions such as mausolea, columbaria and landscaped memorial sections were made over time to respond to changing preferences in commemoration and cremation. The cemetery’s long history reflects broader developments in diocesan pastoral care and local community demographics.

Records, research and visiting

The cemetery maintains burial records that are a resource for genealogical and historical research; families and researchers typically request information through the cemetery office or the Archdiocese. Visitors come for regular grave visitation, annual memorial observances, and to consult grave registers. Practical information on visiting hours, interment policies, and monument regulations is available from the cemetery administration. As with many historic cemeteries, conservation and perennial care programs help preserve monuments and grounds for future generations.