Calvary Hill Cemetery: A Family Guide to Burial and Cremation Options

For families choosing Calvary Hill Cemetery for a loved one's final resting place, this guide walks through the cemetery's history, sections and pricing, what's required vs. optional, the burial process, and how to coordinate a visit or burial. Calvary Hill Cemetery Calvary Hill Cemetery, established in 1953, is the diocesan-affiliated anchor Catholic cemetery for the Diocese of Dallas. It serves as the burial ground for many of the diocese's clergy, religious, and laity. Located in northwest Dallas, the cemetery is approximately 12 minutes from Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe (the diocesan cathedral). Calvary Hill includes a small chapel on-site for graveside services in inclement weather.

Vargas-London coordinates burials at Calvary Hill Cemetery regularly. We do not own or operate the cemetery, do not earn referral fees, and have no financial interest in any specific burial location. We help families compare options based purely on what serves the family.

About Calvary Hill Cemetery

Calvary Hill Cemetery
3235 Lombardy Ln, Dallas, TX 75220
Type: Catholic; Diocese of Dallas affiliated; the anchor Catholic cemetery for north Texas

Calvary Hill Cemetery, established in 1953, is the diocesan-affiliated anchor Catholic cemetery for the Diocese of Dallas. It serves as the burial ground for many of the diocese's clergy, religious, and laity. Located in northwest Dallas, the cemetery is approximately 12 minutes from Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe (the diocesan cathedral). Calvary Hill includes a small chapel on-site for graveside services in inclement weather.

The cemetery covers approximately 60 acres and includes:

• Diocesan-affiliated anchor Catholic cemetery for the Diocese of Dallas
• On-site chapel for graveside services in inclement weather
• Multiple sections including Mausoleum of the Resurrection
• Cremation gardens with Catholic-appropriate iconography

Burial sections and pricing in 2026

Plot and burial pricing at Calvary Hill Cemetery varies by section. Approximate 2026 pricing:

• Standard in-ground plot: $4,000–$10,000 standard sections; $12,000–$22,000 premium, depending on section and location within the cemetery.
• Premium garden or feature plots: $10,000–$25,000+ for prime locations with mature landscaping or special features.
• Mausoleum entombment: $7,000–$15,000 depending on level. Eye-level crypts are typically the most expensive; lower or upper crypts are often less.
• Columbarium niche for cremated remains: $2,000–$5,500.
• Cremation garden ground interment: $1,500–$4,500 for ground burial of cremated remains in a designated section.
• Family lot (multiple plots together): variable pricing depending on number of plots and location.

Additional fees separate from the plot purchase:

• Opening and closing of grave: $1,500–$2,800 per interment
• Vault or grave liner: $700–$3,500 (required by most cemeteries' policies)
• Saturday or holiday opening: typically a 25–50% surcharge on opening/closing
• Monument or marker: $1,500–$5,500+ from a separate monument company, ordered 4–12 weeks after burial

What's required vs. what's optional

Common cemetery requirements (varying by cemetery and section):

• Vault or grave liner: most cemeteries require this. The vault prevents ground subsidence as the casket decomposes. Calvary Hill Cemetery typically requires a vault for in-ground burial, though specific section policies vary.
• Casket specifications: most cemeteries accept standard caskets but may have requirements for certain religious sections (e.g., plain wood for Jewish sections; specific Catholic specifications for Catholic cemeteries).
• Section-specific rules: certain sections require religious affiliation (Catholic sections require baptized Catholic; Jewish sections require Jewish identity in some cases).
• Embalming: not typically required by cemeteries; required only by family choice or for transport.

What's NOT required:

• Embalming is not legally required by Texas (Texas Health & Safety Code §711.011)
• A casket is not required for cremation (Texas allows cremation containers)
• Multiple certified death certificates are not required by the cemetery (the cemetery typically receives one copy)

Burial process at the cemetery

The graveside service or Rite of Committal at Calvary Hill Cemetery typically lasts 15–30 minutes. The process:

• The procession arrives from the church or funeral home
• Pallbearers carry the casket to the graveside
• Family is seated near the graveside; broader gathering stands behind
• The clergy or officiant leads prayers, scripture, and final commendation
• The casket is lowered into the grave (or placed in the mausoleum)
• Family may shovel earth onto the casket (Jewish tradition); place flowers (Christian tradition); or simply observe
• The clergy or officiant offers final blessing and dismisses the gathering
• Family typically stays briefly at the graveside before departing

The cemetery completes the actual burial after the family departs. The grave is filled, the marker (if already placed) confirmed, and the area cleaned. A monument or headstone is typically added 4–12 weeks later.

Visiting the cemetery: practical notes

For ongoing family visits to a loved one's grave at Calvary Hill Cemetery, practical notes:

• Hours: most DFW cemeteries are open 7 AM to dusk, daily. Specific hours vary; call ahead for confirmation.
• Parking: typically free at on-site visitor parking
• Floral arrangements: most cemeteries permit flowers placed at the gravesite. Check policies on artificial flowers, glass containers, candles. Calvary Hill Cemetery's policies on flower placement should be confirmed before the first visit.
• Decorations: birthday balloons, religious items, photo frames — varying policies by cemetery and section
• Pet visits: typically permitted on leash; check specific cemetery policy
• Maintenance: most cemeteries handle ground maintenance; family does not need to weed or mow
• Annual flower programs: many cemeteries offer subscription flower placement programs — the cemetery places fresh flowers on the grave on holidays, anniversaries, etc.

How Vargas-London coordinates with the cemetery

For families using Calvary Hill Cemetery for burial, Vargas-London handles:

• Initial cemetery contact and section selection consultation
• Pricing comparison between sections, plots, and mausoleum options
• Timing coordination between the funeral home, the church (if applicable), and the cemetery
• Transportation of the casket to the cemetery
• Procession coordination with police escort if requested
• Casket selection that meets cemetery requirements
• Vault or grave liner ordering through the cemetery
• Monument or marker referral to a separate monument company
• Family follow-up after the burial

There is no upcharge for Calvary Hill Cemetery coordination. Our published packages cover all cemetery coordination at any DFW cemetery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be Catholic to be buried at Calvary Hill?

Generally yes. Calvary Hill requires the deceased to be a baptized Catholic in good standing, OR a non-Catholic spouse, parent, or child of a buried Catholic, OR (in some sections) a non-Catholic Christian who served the Catholic community. The cemetery's pre-need office confirms eligibility.

How does Calvary Hill differ from non-Catholic cemeteries?

As a Catholic cemetery, Calvary Hill is consecrated ground. Burials follow Catholic tradition with priest involvement at the Rite of Committal. Iconography is Catholic-themed (crosses, sacred heart, Mary, saints). Catholic sacramental burial is integral to the cemetery's identity. Non-Catholic cemeteries do not have this denominational character; the priest blesses the grave at the time of burial to consecrate it for Catholic burial.

How do I purchase a plot at Calvary Hill Cemetery?

Contact Calvary Hill Cemetery pre-need office directly to purchase a plot in advance, or work with Vargas-London at the time of need to purchase. Plot purchases require selection of section, completion of cemetery contract, and payment. Pre-need plot purchase locks in today's pricing for future use.

Can I be buried at Calvary Hill Cemetery if I'm not affiliated with a specific religion?

For non-denominational sections, no religious affiliation is required. For denominational sections (Catholic, Jewish), specific affiliation requirements apply. Calvary Hill Cemetery's pre-need office confirms eligibility based on section choice.

Does Vargas-London receive a referral fee from the cemetery?

No. We have no financial relationship with any cemetery. Our recommendation reflects what we believe serves the family. Cemetery costs are paid directly to the cemetery, not through us.

Can I order a monument from a non-cemetery monument company?

Yes, in most cases, though some cemeteries (especially Catholic cemeteries) require monuments to come from their on-site or approved monument company. Confirm with the cemetery before ordering. See our DFW vendor directory for monument company options.

Watch — Catholic Tradition

The Catholic Funeral Mass.

A complete walkthrough of the Order of Christian Funerals — Vigil (Rosary), Funeral Mass, and Rite of Committal — explaining what each rite is and the meaning behind it.

Source: The Funeral Channel Network · embedded for educational use.