Since 1853 St. Joseph Cemetery has been building a heritage rooted in faith and built on dignity, respect and caring service. Much of the history of our community can be traced through the generations of area residents buried within our boundaries. Between the lines of the names and dates found in our cemetery are the stories of those who came before us --- many of them our ancestors who pioneered this area and helped build our city and towns and opened the businesses that support our lives. We at St. Joseph Cemetery take pride in this heritage and in serving the needs of area Catholics and their families.
The first St. Joseph Cemetery in Pittsfield was founded in 1846 on Melville Street next to the original St. Joseph Church building. That cemetery quickly filled to capacity and in 1853 a large farm owned by the Hynes family was purchased on Pecks Road. The present St. Joseph Cemetery was opened there and expanded with additional land purchases in 1869 and 1931 to bring the cemetery to its present size of 225 acres. St. Joseph Church was the only Catholic Church in Pittsfield in 1853. But as immigration boomed in Pittsfield in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many new parishes were founded to meet the needs of the growing Catholic population. St. Joseph Cemetery was there to meet the burial needs of all these parishes over the years and this tradition continues today. The Cemetery has always been considered the property of the whole Catholic Community of Pittsfield and is overseen by a Cemetery Commission comprised of members from all four Pittsfield parishes. The Commission is responsible for long range planning to ensure the Cemetery meets the needs of area Catholics for many years to come. Members want to ensure the Cemetery maintains a beautiful appearance and that visits there are safe, peaceful and meaningful. The daily operations of the cemetery are overseen by a Cemetery Superintendent and his staff. They work with bereaved families, sell burial plots, oversee burials and maintain the grounds, shrubs, trees and grave stones. A portion of the purchase price of each burial plot sold is placed in an endowment fund at the Diocese. Each year, interest earnings on this fund are returned to the cemetery to help cover operating costs. This fund helps guarantee perpetual care for the cemetery. There are about 35,000 people buried in the cemetery. There were 254 burials in 2016. Of these, 154 were full body burials and 100, or 40%, were cremation burials. In 2010, there were 192 full body burials and 75 cremation burials. The increased number of cremations follows the national trend among Catholics and the general population.
Single grave (flat marker) $1120
Single grave (slant face monument) $1460
2 Graves (upright monument) $2920 ($1460 each additional grave)
2nd Easement for cremation $565 (Paid at time of interment. In ground or in a casket in ground)
Double easement for two cremated remains in one vault $1130 (Paid at time of interment)
2 Cremation graves (6 cremations/upright monument) $2050 (no second easement fee)
Columbarium (Single) $2230-$2475
Columbarium (2 cremation in one niche) $3330-$3710
Single crypt (inside chapel wall) $5875-$9050
Double crypt (inside chapel wall) $11,120-$17,015
Single crypt (outside wall) $5045-$7050
Double crypt (outside wall) $9970-$13180
Side by Side crypt (outside chapel wall) $12,435-$14,330
2nd Easement for cremation in a crypt 25% cost of crypt
Open/Close grave $1235 (Mon-Fri) $1445 (Sat. & Holidays)
Open/Close grave-cremation $625 (Mon-Fri) $730 (Sat. & Holidays)
Crypt Entombment $840 (Mon-Fri) $985 (Sat. & Holidays)
Niche Inturnment $565 (Mon-Fri) $640 (Sat. & Holidays)
Cemetery Cremation Vault $205
Winter Fee $90
In response to the growing demand for above-ground burial space and a desire to provide for chapel services, St. Joseph Cemetery built a chapel mausoleum at the cemetery. Named in honor of St. Michael the Archangel, this beautiful facility has been designed not only to be an enduring monument to those who have passed, but also to be a peaceful and serene sanctuary for the grieving.
The mausoleum is constructed of reinforced concrete with beautiful granite facades. Its unique three-core design features a central chapel which provides a sheltered environment for committal services and visitation. Religiously significant murals lend to the peaceful and serene atmosphere where visitors are encouraged to linger in private prayer and meditation.
St. Michael the Archangel Chapel Mausoleum provides limited numbers of entombment crypts in both interior chapel and exterior locations. Cremation niches are also provided for the inurnment of cremated remains.
Director
Superintendent
Office Manager
Email:
stjoecem@verizon.netAddress:
222 Pecks Road
Pittsfield, MA
01201
Phone:
413 499-1317
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