The Charitable Mission

CFCS is welcoming the new decade by initiating a new donation program that makes it more affordable for individuals to be enshrined in Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland. Catholic Cemeteries receives a fixed amount when each crypt or niche is purchased, a burial right value. The additional cost over this amount is a donation to the Cathedral endowment which is tax deductible for most donors.

Fees vary by location and the type of memorial options; however, hypothetically if two burial rights in-ground cost $5,000 and the value per the appraisal is $4,310, this would result in a gift to Catholic Cemeteries of $690. This $690 is the charitable gift component of the price and for most people will be tax deductable.

A significant portion of the donations will also go to the Diocese of Oakland to help fund good works of the church. Programs include the Order of Malta Health Clinic, a medical clinic for the uninsured and the Legal Justice Center, which provides pro bono legal advice and community education. Also Catholic Charities help feed the homeless and fund education programs in our community. “Giving back to the community has always been a great source of pride for our organization. Now, with this new program we can give back to the people who all make this possible, our families," adds Robert Seelig, Director of CFCS.

CFCS as a ministry of the Dioceses of Oakland utilizes its revenues to support the care and maintenance of the cemeteries and the charitable works of the Diocese of Oakland.