
In
1901, it became an important mission for the parish to establish its
own cemetery for the peaceful rest of its parishioners. In order to raise the money to purchase the land for the
cemetery, Joe Arata, a Lincoln Avenue farmer, donated a horse to be
raffled off, with the proceeds going toward the purchase of the
property.
The
property that was finally purchased was 10 acres of land on Lakeland
Avenue, south of Sunrise Highway, for $90 an acre.
Once the property was purchased, 3 parishioners spent many an
afternoon clearing the land of trees, rocks and debris.
In
1915, the cemetery received its first internee, Mrs. Emma Kennedy, the
wife of the owner of the Sayville Hotel.
Since then, there have been over 4,000 burials.
There are two special sections of the cemetery; one for cremains,
in the northwest corner of the cemetery.
The other special section is in the southwest corner of the
cemetery, reserved for the burial of infants.
This section, used for the first time in 1959, is the resting
place for over 80 babies from our parish.
In
1989, a new entrance gateway to the cemetery was built.
A road through this gateway rises to a circle in which a large
crucifix is found. In 1959,
the remains of two former pastors of St. Lawrence, Fathers William
Collins and Michael Heffernan, were moved from other gravesites in the
cemetery to rest within this circle.
Each year, on Memorial Day, it is our custom to celebrate the
Eucharist in this circle, for the repose of the souls of all who rest in
the cemetery.
Care
of the cemetery has evolved over the years.
In the early days, graves were tended by individual families, who
would mow the grass, and plant trees and flowers.
Some plots were tended wonderfully, others were neglected.
Today, deed holders pay for “perpetual care” when they
purchase burial rights.
A trust fund has been established to insure the proper care of
all gravesites into perpetuity.
St. Lawrence Cemetery is part of the Diocesan Cemetery System,
and is administered by our parish.
The Parish Cemetery Office is
located at 27 Handsome Avenue Sayville, NY 11782
631.589.3887
email
the Cemetery Office |
The
Parish Cemetery is located at 401 Lakeland Avenue
Sayville, NY 11782 |