Download the Spring Newsletter 2025
Mary’s Mausoleum II
Discover a timeless resting place in our upcoming Community Mausoleum! As construction unfolds, we invite you to secure your peace of mind by purchasing pre-need crypts. This exclusive opportunity not only ensures your place in this elegant mausoleum featuring floor to ceiling stained glass windows, but special discount offers are still available to those interested. Immerse yourself in the serenity of our thoughtfully designed cemetery, where tradition meets tranquility. Join us in creating a lasting legacy for generations to come. Reserve your space now and embrace the comfort of planning ahead with our pre-need offering. Exclusive features include luxury private rooms, high end glass-front and marble niches, beautiful stained glass windows and well placed skylights for natural light!
Celebrating Excellence: Katie LaBella Named an ICCFA 40 Under 40 Award Recipient
We are thrilled to recognize and celebrate our colleague, Katie LaBella, who has been honored with the 40 Under 40 Award by the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA). This prestigious award highlights emerging leaders in the funeral profession who are making a meaningful difference through innovation, dedication, and service.
Katie started as a funeral director with Frederick Funeral Home in Flushing, NY. After three years as an excellent funeral director, where she demonstrated early on her dedication to compassionate service, Katie’s career evolved as she transitioned into a successful sales role at St. Michael’s Cemetery at the age of 21 where she immediately excelled in forming client relations as a Memorial Counselor. Her leadership skills were further recognized when she was promoted to the Crematory Manager in 2012. As Crematory Manager, Katie LaBella played a key role in transforming the facility into a model operation, now handling over 4,000 cremations and 1,200 religious services annually. Her leadership was especially vital during the COVID-19 crisis in March 2020, when she managed overwhelming call volumes, reorganized schedules to keep the crematory running up to 24 hours a day, and performed as many as 30 cremations daily. Katie also contributed to shaping New York State regulations that supported the industry through this unprecedented time.
Katie exemplifies the values of our industry—compassion, professionalism, and forward-thinking leadership. Please join us in congratulating Katie on this outstanding achievement. Her recognition by the ICCFA is a testament to the lasting impact she’s making in our field and the bright future that lies ahead.
Honoring Our Veterans On Memorial Day!
Each year, a small group of dedicated volunteers gathers at St. Michael’s Cemetery to place American flags and military branch flags at the gravesites of our veterans. This meaningful effort ensures that those who served our country are remembered with honor and dignity.
Efforts for this year’s tribute are already underway, and by Memorial Day, all flags are expected to be in place.
St. Michael’s Cemetery proudly provides the flags, and thanks to the hard work and commitment of this devoted group, each veteran’s resting place will be marked in tribute. We are truly grateful for the time and care these volunteers give to uphold this annual tradition and help preserve the memory of our nation’s heroes.
Springtime Rules and Planting Regulations
As we welcome the arrival of spring, we’d like to take a moment to remind all visitors of our cemetery’s planting regulations to ensure a respectful and uniform appearance for all graves.
- Planting Guidelines: Plants should only be placed directly in front of the grave and no more than 16 inches from the headstone.
- Allowed Items: Only flowers are permitted to be planted in the ground.
- Prohibited Items: Bushes, trees, shrubs, or any type of borders such as rocks, fencing, or similar materials are not allowed.
- No Decorative Items: We ask that no plastic, glass, or other knick-knacks be left at the grave site.
- Mausoleums: Please note that real flowers are not permitted inside mausoleums or buildings.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a serene and respectful environment for everyone. Thank you for your understanding and for honoring these guidelines as we enter into the spring season.
