Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago is set to host Cemetery Sunday outdoor rosary and prayer services on November 3, 2024. The event coincides with All Saints' Day on November 1 and All Souls' Day on November 2. Services will take place at 18 cemetery locations starting at 2 p.m.

Following the prayer service, attendees at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside can participate in guided tours of the Bishops' Mausoleum and the Chapel of the Saints Indoor Columbarium. These tours will provide insights into the architecture, artwork, and history associated with these sacred spaces. From 2:30 to 3 p.m., staff members will discuss the lives and legacies of those interred there, emphasizing their significance to the Catholic community.

"Cemetery Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to remember our loved ones in prayer," stated Very Rev. Lawrence Sullivan, priest director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago. "It is a time to experience God’s love for us as we honor the memory of those who have left the imprint of their love upon our hearts."

Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs for seating during the half-hour services, as none will be provided. Signage will guide visitors to service locations upon arrival, and cemetery personnel will assist with questions and locating graves.

A digital booklet listing names of individuals buried from October 15, 2023, through October 15, 2024, will be available for download at each cemetery. Families may also sign a digital memorial remembrance book to include their deceased loved one's name and message for daily prayers throughout the year.

The observance of Cemetery Sunday was proposed by the National Catholic Cemetery Conference in 1978 as a day dedicated to praying for deceased individuals and visiting loved ones' graves.