Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery

To view a list of known interments: https://saintspeter-paul.org/about/cemetery/known-interments/ 

In 1865, Rev. Anthony Rustige purchased the first land for the cemetery at the end of East Main Street. The last land acquisition was a gift from the Hedden family in 1962. As late as 1890 the cemetery was still outside the city limits. The SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery covers 27 acres, of which 15 are developed. There are seven sections, with Section 7 being the youngest and most active section. The cemetery contains 3 Baby Sections that contain an estimated 581 babies buried from 1872 to 1978. After 1978, it became standard practice to bury babies with family rather than in special sections.

Over 6,000 people are buried here, including five priests: Rev. Francis Sheils and Msgr. B. N. Manning, both born in Ireland, Rev. Charles Muskus, Rev. Vincent Jalinsky, and Rev. Ron Nesbitt, with plots designated for more. Burials also include veterans of every war since the Civil War including some killed in action. There are at least 2 that have memorial stones but are buried where they fell in Europe. A special mass is said at the cemetery on Memorial Day to commemorate those that in imitation of Jesus, made the ultimate sacrifice and did not return home to us.

Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery currently does not perform burials in the “old sections”, except in special circumstances as there is a lack of accurate records and an inability to verify specific locations for some of our patrons. The last thing we are willing to do is disturb a loved one’s rest, even if there is no family left to call them loved ones. As Catholics, we are called to remember the dead, including those that have no one to remember them, which is why Catholics are so adamant about burial of remains including ashes. It prevents the cremains from being discarded, lost, abused or misplaced and gives families a place to come and commemorate their family members for generations to come. The placement of headstones ensures that their memory is never forgotten decades and sometimes even centuries into the future.

Regulations of Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery

Collinsville, IL

  1. No animals allowed except required service animals.
  2. No glass containers or glass pieces, marbles, decorative stones, or glass/ceramic statuary.
  3. No coat hangers or wire of any kind allowed for any purpose.
  4. No planting- bulbs, bushes, shrubs, flowers, or trees.
  5. No external lights, shepherd hooks, or easels for support. Any items that interfere with mowing will be removed.
  6. All flowers placed into a vase that is pushed into the ground in front of a stone or marker must be in a metal cone.
  7. Nothing may be placed further than 4 inches in front of a stone or marker, including U.S. flags.
  8. All new vases must be at the side or top of the stone or marker, not in front.
  9. All Christmas decorations, including grave blankets, must be removed by March 1 every year. Any other holiday decorations must be removed by the following holiday.
  10. The absolute maximum dimensions for monuments are: 38 inches in width from left to right, 16 inches in thickness from front to back, and 34 inches in height from bottom to top. Nothing larger is allowed.
  11. Trash must be deposited in proper trash containers located around the cemetery.
  12. Speed limit is 10 miles per hour.
  13. No admittance from dusk to dawn.
  14. Nothing shall be taped, glued, or placed on top of columbarium buildings.
  15. Flowers, vases, or any other containers are prohibited on the ground in front of or around the columbarium buildings.
  16. Maximum dimensions of the inside of columbarium niches are 12 inches wide from left to right, 9-1/2 inches tall from bottom to top, and 8-1/2 inches deep from front to back. All urns must be of a size to fit 2 urns inside each niche.
  17. Dumping of any refuse larger than can fit in standard trash can, or of any brush, tree debris, or construction material, is fully prohibited.
  18. Any damage recorded or dumping caught will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law allowed in Illinois.
  19. Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and Cemetery is released from liability of any damages to grave markers, or any external decoration added to grave markers that result from contracted lawn maintenance, contracted digging, contracted construction, or accidental or intended harm.
  20. No liquids containers such as cans, glass bottles or other beverage containers to be left on graves or markers.
  21. All burial fees MUST be paid prior to grave opening. If payment is not made in full, burial will be rescheduled. Any personal checks must have Driver’s License information included and must be deposited prior to Grave opening.

Cemetery Oversight Board

The Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery covers 27 acres, of which 15 are developed. A board of volunteers meets each month and oversees the operation of the cemetery.

Contact: Mary Unfried, Cemetery Manager- 618-345-4343 ext. 107, munfried@saintspeter-paul.org

Cemetery Fees

Lots:

-All graves except section 7 ($1,250.00 for plot and $150.00 Income Care)                           $1,400.00

-Section 7 ($1,250.00 for plot and $250.00 Income Care)                                                          $1,500.00

 

Interment:

-Full body burial                                                                                                                                  $1,000.00

-Cremated remains                                                                                                                              $1,000.00

-Monday or Saturday Burial                                                                                                             $1,250.00

-Infant                                                                                                                                                    $315.00

-Vault                                                                                                                                                     $110.00

-Headstone Foundation (Except Section 7 on concrete ribbons)                                             $1.25/sq ft

-Tent fee (If provided by Ss. Peter & Paul Cemetery ONLY)                                                     $50.00

 

Columbarium:

-Niche (includes first inurnment and niche plate engraving)                                                      $2,500.00

-2nd Inurnment in niche                                                                                                                      $1,250.00

 

**All cemetery fees MUST be paid in full prior to grave opening or burial will be rescheduled. All personal checks received must deposited and cleared by the bank prior to grave opening.

 

Disinterment:                                                                                             $2,500 – $5,000+ Circumstances Dependent

 

Click to view or print Catholic Burial Rites