KAWKAWLIN, MI —The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw recently entombed the cremated remains of 175 individuals who weren’t claimed by family or friends.
On, Saturday, Nov. 2, Bishop Robert Gruss celebrated Mass at Calvary Cemetery in Kawkawlin for the unclaimed cremains. Among them were six babies, 13 veterans and four married couples. The oldest cremains date to 1972, according to the diocese.
Saginaw County has nearly 50 unclaimed cremains and the Saginaw Diocese is helping put them to rest
Following the Mass, the cremains were entombed in a crypt in the mausoleum. Military Honors were presented by the Bay County Veterans Council Honor Guard, according to diocese officials.
“The remains of all people – regardless of faith — are sacred to us,” Gruss said. “It is my desire to show our love and concern for our brothers and sisters by upholding their God given dignity and providing them a final resting place where they will be remembered.”
The individuals’ cremains had previously been with the Saginaw County medical examiner’s office and several funeral homes in the diocese. Over the years, the county had accumulated nearly 50 unclaimed cremains.
In August, the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw and Saginaw County entered into a new partnership so that any cremains the county currently has and accumulates will be taken care of by the diocese.
If any family or friends eventually claim the cremains, they can always visit, pray and remember them, diocese officials said.
Students from St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic School in Midland raised $500 in a penny war to purchase memorial flowers and more for the burial, according to the diocese.
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