What is the Loreto Crypt?
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The Loreto Crypt at Queen’s Park Cemetery is a permanent resting place for babies lost through miscarriage before 20 weeks of gestation. It offers families a sacred space of prayer, remembrance and hope, honouring the dignity of every child from the moment of conception. The Loreto Crypt is open to all families seeking a dignified interment for their little ones.
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The crypt is named after Our Lady of Loreto and evokes the Holy House of Nazareth. It is meant to be a visible reminder that these children are cherished by God and held within the love of the Holy Family.
The Loreto Crypt: Sanctuary for Little Souls is located at:
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Who is it for?
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The Loreto Crypt is intended for families who have experienced miscarriage and who wish to entrust the physical remains of their babies to a permanent Catholic resting place.
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How to apply for interment in the Loreto Crypt
Families request interment through a funeral home, which coordinates everything with the Diocese and Queen’s Park Cemetery. There is no fee from the Diocese, and the City of Calgary covers burial costs during regular hours. A brief prayer service can be arranged if desired.
Step 1: Contact a licensed Funeral Home
Families must begin the process by contacting a licensed funeral home. You do not apply directly to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary or the City of Calgary, the funeral home will handle all administration on your behalf.
The funeral home will:
Families must begin the process by contacting a licensed funeral home. You do not apply directly to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary or the City of Calgary, the funeral home will handle all administration on your behalf.
The funeral home will:
- Receive and gently care for your baby’s remains
- Help complete all required forms, including the Loreto Crypt Application Form
- Communicate with the Diocese and the City to obtain necessary approvals
- Ensure the chosen container meets cemetery requirements
- During the funeral home meeting, families will select an approved container
- Funeral homes provide containers at no cost, with optional low-fee alternatives for families who prefer something more personal or meaningful
- Arrange temporary safekeeping of the remains if needed
- Guide and support families through each step of the process
Step 2: Decide on a date and time for the Committal Service
Before the application can be submitted, the following must be in place:
Before the application can be submitted, the following must be in place:
- A confirmed date for the committal service
- A confirmed time for the service
- At least 48 hours’ notice (two business days) between:
- The family’s scheduled cemetery appointment, and
- The actual entombment/committal service
- The cemetery appointment occurs after meeting with the funeral home and is booked based on cemetery availability
- The funeral home will assist the family in arranging this appointment and can answer any questions in advance
- The funeral provider will consult with the City of Calgary to confirm the committal service date and time
Step 3: The Funeral Provider (Director) submits the application for Diocese approval
The funeral provider sends a request to the Diocese, which must approve every entombment. This approval is usually straightforward, but it must be completed before anything can proceed. This is the only role of the Diocese in the process.
The funeral provider sends a request to the Diocese, which must approve every entombment. This approval is usually straightforward, but it must be completed before anything can proceed. This is the only role of the Diocese in the process.
Step 4: A parent or legal guardian signs the required cemetery documents
You will be asked to:
You will be asked to:
- Attend an in-person appointment
- Review and sign the cemetery paperwork
- Confirm your understanding of finality (entombments cannot be reversed)
Step 5: Prepare for the Day of the Committal Service
If it aligns with the family’s faith or preferences, you may choose to have the committal accompanied by a priest or deacon. This can be arranged through the funeral home during the initial meeting.
On the day of the service:
Please note:
The funeral provider handles the delivery of the appropriately sealed container to the cemetery.
If it aligns with the family’s faith or preferences, you may choose to have the committal accompanied by a priest or deacon. This can be arranged through the funeral home during the initial meeting.
On the day of the service:
- A parent, guardian, or family representative must be present
- Flowers may be brought (they remain for at least 5 days)
- City staff will prepare the crypt
Please note:
- Families cannot choose or view a specific placement space
- The location of each entombment is intentionally not recorded
- The crypt remains simple and undecorated to respect all families equally
The funeral provider handles the delivery of the appropriately sealed container to the cemetery.
Step 6: At the Loreto Crypt (Mausoleum)
During the service:
After the service:
During the service:
- Only City of Calgary staff may be present to open and close the crypt spaces
- They will respectfully entomb your baby in the next available space
- This process is performed privately, with dignity and reverence, immediately following the family’s departure.
After the service:
- Flowers remain for 5 days before being respectfully removed
- You may visit the mausoleum grounds daily from sunrise to sunset
Step 7: Understanding finality and restrictions
To protect the dignity of all children in the Loreto Crypt:
To protect the dignity of all children in the Loreto Crypt:
- The Loreto Crypt is intended as a final resting place; entombment is permanent and cannot be reversed
- Remains cannot be accessed or tested in the future
- Decorations, items, inscriptions, or modifications to the crypt are not permitted
- Only miscarriage remains (before 20 weeks) can be placed here
Please review the complete document: Roman Catholic Diocese Mausoleum (Loreto Crypt) Rules and Guidelines (coming soon). This document will serve as the definitive reference for any questions, concerns, or clarifications regarding the Mausoleum.