Owned and operated by the Diocese of Orange in California, the Catholic Cemeteries have been serving Catholics and their families for over a century. The Catholic Cemeteries provide a sacred place for burial in a religious setting on consecrated ground.

Ascension Cemetery & Mausoleum

Nestled in a residential area of Lake Forest, California, Ascension’s park like grounds provide a tranquil environment for those visiting their departed loved ones. The Guardian Angel Mausoleum, located in the center of the cemetery, is the newest mausoleum in the Diocese.

The Ascension, the elevation of Christ into heaven by His own power in presence of His disciples took place the fortieth day after His Resurrection. It is narrated in Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51, and in the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles.

Holy Sepulcher Cemetery

The largest of the Diocesan cemeteries, Holy Sepulcher is surrounded by the beautiful rolling hills. Holy Sepulcher is the final resting place for many Diocesan priests and religious. Our annual All Souls Day Masses and Memorial Day Masses take place at the outdoor altar, donated by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Holy Sepluchre refers to the tomb in which the Body of Jesus Christ was laid after His death upon the Cross. The Evangelists tell us that it was Joseph of Arimathea’s own new monument, which he had hewn out of a rock, and that it was closed by a great stone rolled to the door (Mathew 27:60, Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53). It was in a garden in the place of the Crucifixion and was nigh to the Cross (John 19:41, 42) which was erected outside the walls of Jerusalem, in the place called Calvary but close to the city (John 19:20) and by a street (Matthew 27:39; Mark 15:29).

Good Shepherd Cemetery & Mausoleum

Located 3 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, originally named Roselawn Cemetery, the property was purchased by the Los Angeles Arch Diocese in 1952. The cemetery has three columbariums on the property, with beautiful renderings of the Pieta, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Our Lady of La Vang atop the structures.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep.” (John 10:11) One of the few Christian symbols dating from the first century is that of the Good Shepherd carrying on His shoulders a lamb or a sheep, with two other sheep at his side. The lamb or sheep on the shoulders of the Good Shepherd is a symbol of the soul of the deceased being borne by Our Lord into heaven; whereas the two sheep accompanying the Shepherd represent the saints already enjoying eternal bliss.