Mission San Luis Rey

San Luis Rey de Francia was the ninth and last misssion to be founded by Father-President Lasuen, and it closed a critical gap between San Diego and San Juan Capistrano. The district was promising in prospects for conversion. When the Portola party had passed through 20 years earlier, they had found the natives cordial. Today it represents one of the best places in San Diego for spiritual retreats.

San Luis Rey de Francia, "King of Missions," was the eighteenth of the Franciscan establishments in California; and the second founded in what is now the County of San Diego-second therefore on El Camino Real. In respect of artistry, grandeur and general prosperity it long stood preeminent. Even today the refinement and wide culture of its founder, Fr. Lasuen, and of its first superior, Fr. Antonio Peyri, seem to pervade corridor, patio, garden and churchyard. One feels that very rare souls built and by their lives forever blessed this great spiritual enterprise. 

Founded in 1798, it features a beautiful church with painted wood beams, tranquil gardens and a cemetery. The cemetery is easy to find - just look for a skull and bones insignia inserted in a small alcove over the door. This active cemetery features a crypt for clergy, lawn crypts and columbarium niches. The Mission’s church does not hold a regular mass but it can be used for special events such as weddings and funerals. You will exit out to the peaceful and beautifully landscaped cemetery. You will also come across a crypt just before leaving the cemetery.

The older gravestones are primarily upright markers. Since Mission San Luis Rey is not only an active church but a tourist attraction, the grounds are impeccably maintained. Entrance to the church and museum is $5 for adults/$3 for youth under 18 and $20 for families. Upon entering the Church, be sure to exit a wooden door on the left side of the Church and enter a very special inner garden space.

Mission San Luis Rey sits on 56 acres in Oceanside, CA. The mission farm and pasturelands once extended in a radius of fifteen miles, with the historic buildings covering over six acres. Mission San Luis Rey has a museum and cemetery, and puts on retreats and workshops, as well as cultural, educational, and special events. The mission houses exhibits relating to the colorful history of the San Luis Rey de Francia. Its collections include artifacts from Native American, Spanish Mission, Mexican Secularization, and American Military periods.

The years following Father O'Keefe's departure have seen gradual, yet extensive, restoration. Further improvements and the reconstruction of Mission structures have almost completely restored the Mission to its early grandeur. Mission San Luis Rey was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970. However, the Mission does not receive any Federal, State or church funds for its support. The Mission depends upon the generosity and support of its volunteers and visitors to continue the restoration efforts so that Mission San Luis Rey will remain the "King of the Missions". 

If you are interested for San Diego retreats the Franciscan Friars invite you to experience spiritual renewal in surroundings of peace at the unique, historical venue of . The Franciscan Retreats Center at Old Mission San Luis Rey offers a place for solitude, healing, and revitalization with a wide variety of spiritual and educational programs. The Retreatcenters are  also for individuals who would like private time for solitude and spiritual renewal.

Traditional Funeral Services

A "traditional burial" in the USA involves the internment of the deceased's body, usually in a deep grave at a cemetery or churchyard. This is the most common type of service, in which a formal funeral service or ceremony is held in a place of worship or funeral home. The service is designed for family and friends to commemorate the life of their loved one. It is followed by a procession to the cemetery for interment (ground burial) or entombment (mausoleum burial) and a graveside service.

Traditional funeral services also include time for the family and friends to gather together before the funeral with the body of the deceased present (the casket may be open or closed). This is commonly known as “wake”. It is usually held the day before the funeral service or over a period of two days, either at night or in a combination of day and evening hours. The duration of the visitation hours is scheduled to accommodate the needs of the family. Floral tributes are often displayed, as well as photographs and other personal items that reflect the life of the deceased loved one. Special music may be played too.

A traditional funeral service usually includes:          

• A viewing or visitation period for family and friends to pay their last respects. The casket may be open or closed according to your preferences.
• A formal funeral service in a church, chapel or synagogue. The service may be contemporary or religious, and it may include readings, a eulogy, music, a funeral procession, and military honors.
• A hearse to transport the deceased to a final resting place.
• Earth burial, entombment or cremation.

The majority of cemeteries are non-denominational, and so most types of funeral service or ceremony can be conducted there. Advice will also be available from the ministers of the religion or religious organization that the deceased may have belonged to. Obviously if you choose to be buried in a churchyard, then the type of funeral/ceremony will be dictated by the particular faith practiced there.

Grave plots in cemeteries can be pre-purchased. The person who has died may already have arranged a grave space in a churchyard or cemetery which may be included in the will or papers.
People should be aware of pressure of space, particularly in bigger cities, most burial plots are sold on a system of leasehold of usually 50 - 75 years with 100 years being the maximum. When a lease is coming to its end, the relatives of the deceased are usually sort, to consider extending it for a fee. However, with families moving around a lot these days, contact can be very difficult if not impossible to achieve.

Consecrated churchyards are slightly different. In UK every parishioner has a right of burial in their local churchyard, provided there is space available and the churchyard has not been closed for burials. In addition, any person whose name is on the electoral roll of the parish at the time of their death also has a right to burial, as does any person dying in the parish, whoever that person is. Any exceptions to this must have the consent of the church authority who's decision is final, and some churches and parishes have their own slight variations (especially when it comes to memorial types), so best to check with the local priest or minister first. 

Old Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery is Oceanside cemetery, founded in 1798, is the oldest cemetery in North County San Diego still in operation. The Mission is committed to taking care of the San Diego cemetery as part of this National Historic Landmark. Immediate need or advanced planning, our experienced and caring staff is available to help you. Contact us for SanDiego funeral services.

San Diego Funeral Services

When someone you're close to passes away, there are arrangements to be made. And they must be made under the most difficult circumstances. How does one decide which funeral services are the right ones?

Many people feel that shopping around for the best price somehow is disrespectful to the deceased. Many people, when faced with planning a funeral, have sudden and overwhelming feelings of stress due to the fact that funerals can be very expensive. However, there are ways to arrange for dignified and professional low cost funeral services that will put your loved one to rest in a beautiful and tasteful manner without costing you or your family a small fortune. They feel that to worry about cost at a time like that is inappropriate. But this needn't be the case. Your loved one would not want you wasting thousands of dollars for no reason. You can choose a monument, an urn, or any number of other products, potentially saving you thousands.

The typical funeral has several components. The first is the cost of the casket. After that you have to consider the cost for the embalmment, flowers, memorial pamphlets that are handed out during the service and the cost for the burial plot. There are also miscellaneous expenses such as transportation to the cemetery as well as fees charged by the funeral home. If you elect for cremation there is a charge for that service.

Many people take out burial insurance along with their life insurance. This is to ensure that a good portion of the funeral costs are covered. How much your insurance will cover depends largely on the amount of policy you took out. Burial insurance will typically have no restrictions outside of the amount of the policy. Life insurance will only be payable under certain circumstances and cause of death. Most life insurance policies do not cover certain causes of death such as suicide. You need to review your insurance policy to determine how much is paid out and what, if any, stipulations are attached to the policy.

Cemetery plots vary by location and city. Oceanside cemetery plot is going to cost much more. You also have to keep in mind that cremation plots or scattering gardens are generally cheaper than a casket plot. Many families elect to buy several plots that are grouped together. Buying several plots ensures that you and your loved ones are together in one area and are much more affordable than buying a single plot. You will also need to factor in opening and closing costs for the land transaction along with any additional fees the city or cemetery charges.

Another challenging item is the eulogy. Usually, the person called upon to give the eulogy at the funeral is doing it for the first time. Some professional should lead you through the creative process of writing a eulogy that pays a fitting tribute to the person who has died. When your loved one passes away, someone will have to write an obituary to be published in the newspaper. Their professionals will guide you through the process, letting you know what information should be included and how it should be presented.

Using a directory or a funeral planning site can help you to compare costs and services of the various funeral homes in your area. 

Old Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery is Oceanside cemetery, founded in 1798, is the oldest cemetery in North County San Diego still in operation. Old Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery is a sanctuary offering peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Contact us for San Diego funeral services. Every effort will be made to ensure that families have minimal worry when death occurs. They will be assisted in setting the date and time by the cemetery office. The Mission is committed to taking care of the California cemetery as part of this National Historic Landmark. Immediate need or advanced planning, our experienced and caring staff is available to help you.

Traditional Burial

Burials today can be as varied as the personalities of the deceased. Some people are buried at sea; some, today, are buried “naturally”- without the use of a casket – and still others are never buried at all. They are cremated and their ashes scattered over some special place.

A typical ceremony for a traditional burial is a celebration of the deceased’s life. It usually includes a brief sermon performed by a pastor who has played an important part of the deceased’s person’s life. And, in most traditional burial ceremonies, that sermon is followed by a few remarks from special friends and relatives. The traditional burial also includes, of course, performances of some of the most beloved music enjoyed by the deceased.

Traditional burial ceremonies typically take place over the course of at least two days and have three distinct stages. First there is the “viewing” also called a “wake” in some religions. In this portion of the burial ceremony, the deceased’s body is on display for public viewing for several hours. Friends and family members approach the coffin one-by-one and pay their final, private respects.
After the viewing come the “service,” the aforementioned ceremony in which a pastor, friends and family, and musicians stage a public celebration of the loved-one’s life. This portion of the traditional burial ceremony is typically held at a church or some other large, public place, and hundreds of people often attend.

And, finally, there is the “internment,” the portion of the burial ceremony in which “pallbearers” transport the deceased from the location of the service to the final resting place.

Why choose traditional burial?                                          

“Cemetery” has its roots in the ancient Greek for “sleeping place,” a reflection on the belief that death is a type of sleep. The deceased is buried in a casket and left to decompose over time. Some cultures believe that a body must be whole in the afterlife, which rules out cremation.
American traditions try to maintain some connection between those still living and those who’ve gone before. Cemeteries are often places of recreation. Reverence for tradition, family, and community supports traditional burial. The tradition of burial has come a long way from its humble beginnings. As burial is carried out now, human remains are far removed from the natural processes that would return us to the earth. Modern U.S. cemeteries are designed to ensure our perpetuity in the flesh. Caskets are made of impenetrable materials and spaced closely (to maximize land use).

Burial isn't the only conventional funeral option. Cremation dates back to the early Stone Age; it's still popular today and it's cheaper than traditional burial. In the United States, 32 percent of corpses are cremated. Although cremation has now been done in America for about 125 years, it didn’t really take root here until about 25 years ago. Now about 1 in 4 Americans chooses cremation over traditional burial. It is worth noting that cremation produces carcinogenic dioxins, trace metals, hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide. So much for the ecological argument in favor of cremation! 

Old Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery is Oceanside cemetery, founded in 1798, is the oldest cemetery in North County San Diego still in operation. The Mission is committed to taking care of the California cemetery as part of this National Historic Landmark. Immediate need or advanced planning, our experienced and caring staff is available to help you. Contact us for San Diego funeral services.