Natural Burial: Meadows of St. Kateri
The Archdiocese of Chicago is proud to announce the establishment of its first natural burial area.
Find peace and lasting beauty in a final resting place that honors the environment. Meadows of St. Kateri at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine, Illinois offers a natural burial option inspired by Saint Kateri Tekakwitha's deep connection with nature.
WHAT IS NATURAL BURIAL?
Natural burial might seem like a new concept, but it’s actually a return to tradition.
Simplicity & Sustainability:
Natural burials forego harsh embalming fluids, traditional caskets, and outer burial containers in favor of biodegradable materials, organic fibers, and eco-friendly embalming techniques. This minimizes environmental impact while honoring the natural cycle of life and death.
Peaceful Area:
Our natural burial grounds offer a beautiful area for quiet reflection and connection with nature. The peaceful setting features winding walking trails, native plants, and a mixture of meadow and forest terrain.
Permanent Remembrance:
Natural burials will be memorialized with a choice of flush lawn-level memorial, an engraved boulder, or a boulder with a bronze nameplate.
CAN CATHOLICS CHOOSE NATURAL BURIAL?
The Catholic Church permits natural burial, as it aligns with traditional Catholic burial practices and has been the norm for most of human history. The Church encourages respectful treatment of the body and burial on sacred consecrated grounds.
WHO IS ST. KATERI?
St. Kateri Tekakwitha, also known as Lily of the Mohawks, was a remarkable Mohawk woman who embraced Catholicism and became a beacon of faith. Born in 1656 in what is now New York, Kateri's early life was marked by hardship. Smallpox ravaged her community, taking her family and leaving scars on her body that might have later influenced her spiritual path.
In her teens, Kateri defied societal expectations and converted to Catholicism. This wasn't an easy choice, as some in her Mohawk community disapproved. Yet, Kateri's faith only grew stronger. Devoted to her religion, she took a vow of virginity and dedicated herself to prayer and piety.
Though her life ended tragically at the age of 24, Kateri left an indelible mark. Her unwavering faith and spirit continue to inspire many, particularly Indigenous Catholics. In 1980, she became the first Native American to be beatified, and in 2012, she was canonized as a saint, solidifying her place as a powerful symbol of faith and cultural understanding.
St. Kateri’s feast day is celebrated on July 14th.
St. Kateri is the patron Saint of:
- Environment and Ecology
- Indigenous Peoples
- Loss of Parents
- People ridiculed for their piety