More than a decade ago, flooding at Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron raised understandable concerns among families and members of the surrounding community.

In 2012, the Akron Beacon Journal reported on flooding at the cemetery after heavy rainfall caused water to overwhelm a culvert carrying the creek through the property. At the time, Catholic Cemeteries Association acknowledged the issue and the additional challenges created by increased stormwater runoff from development upstream.

For families with loved ones buried at Holy Cross Cemetery—or those considering the cemetery for their own future needs—the flooding was understandably concerning.

But that is not where the story ends.

Finding a Long-Term Solution

Following the flooding issues, Catholic Cemeteries Association invested significant time and resources into finding a long-term solution.

One of the most important changes was the removal of the pipe through which the creek had previously flowed. By removing the culvert and restoring the creek to an open channel, water was given more room to move naturally through the cemetery property, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

It was a significant project, but an important one.

Our cemeteries are sacred places entrusted to our care, and maintaining them requires much more than caring for grass, roads, buildings, and memorials. It also means looking ahead, addressing challenges, and making investments that help protect these sacred grounds for generations to come.

A Decade Without Another Breach

Today, roughly a decade has passed since the improvements were completed.

During that time, Holy Cross Cemetery has not experienced another flood that has breached cemetery roads or burial sections.

That history is important to share because we know memories of the previous flooding remain.

Our staff occasionally speaks with families who have concerns about burial spaces located near the creek. Some may remember the flooding themselves, while others may have heard about it from family members or through past news coverage.

Those concerns are understandable, and we want families to have the most current information when making decisions about their cemetery and burial arrangements.

The Holy Cross Cemetery of today reflects the substantial work that was completed to address those earlier concerns.

Caring for Sacred Ground

Cemetery care is a responsibility that extends far beyond the present day.

When a family chooses a Catholic cemetery, they are entrusting us with a sacred responsibility: to care for the resting place of someone they love. That commitment does not end after a burial takes place.

It continues through ongoing maintenance, improvements to our grounds and infrastructure, and our responsibility to respond when challenges arise.

The flooding experienced at Holy Cross Cemetery years ago presented one of those challenges. Rather than accepting it as an unavoidable problem, Catholic Cemeteries Association took steps to address its causes and improve how water moves through the property.

More than a decade later, those improvements continue to serve the cemetery and the families who place their trust in us.

And while we can never control every rainfall or predict every challenge nature may bring, we remain committed to doing everything we can to preserve Holy Cross Cemetery as the peaceful, sacred resting place it is meant to be.

Written By: Paige Muttillo | Marketing and Communications Manager | Catholic Cemeteries Association