Our History

In February 1931, Bishop Charles D. White established Holy Cross Cemetery as a non-profit Cemetery Association for the Catholic Diocese of Spokane. With the first interments made in September of that year, Holy Cross replaced another local cemetery and its 1888 agreement with Father Cataldo as the area’s official Catholic burial ground.

As part of the Catholic Church, each parish historically has its own cemetery located in and around the church building. However, when it became evident that Spokane’s growing metropolitan area needed more space, Holy Cross Cemetery was established as a diocesan cemetery serving all Spokane-based parishes.

In 2012 the Bishop of the Diocese asked Catholic Cemeteries of Spokane to explore the possibility of providing funeral and cremation services along with the cemetery services already offered. In the past, families relied on their local funeral home and could be assured that they would be guided through the rites of the Church. Today, with the variety of choices and for-profit competitors, families may not know where to turn. Recognizing this reality, the Bishop saw a need in the Diocese of Spokane for a non-profit Catholic faith-based funeral provider, one which would connect funeral, cremation and cemetery services with the Catholic faith, from one source, and from one place.

The Board of Directors of Catholic Cemeteries determined that a reorganization of both funeral and cemetery services under a single umbrella would best serve the Diocese. The Bishop welcomed this new service as an extension of the ministry of the Diocese to the Catholic Community. In 2013, Catholic Cemeteries of Spokane became Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services, before transitioning in 2019 to Holy Cross Funeral and Cemetery Services, the only Catholic non-profit funeral provider in Spokane. The Holy Cross ministry continues to grow with the support of the Bishop and Priests of the Diocese.

Facility Photos