History of the Church of St. Michael Cemetery
Written by Rev. C.J. Farrell, Pastor
July 1, 1940

Shortly after the removal of the old church building from Spring Lake in 1908 to its new site in Prior Lake, there grew a need that a local cemetery be secured. Some years later, four acres of land situated north east of the village of Prior Lake was purchased for a cemetery. Due to a disastrous church fire Easter Sunday, 1921, very little additional work was done to the cemetery.

In 1936, a popular move to perpetuate the revered memory of the late Father John Deere who had served the Catholics of Credit River and the vicinity of Prior Lake for thirty years was begun in the raising of a magnificent crucifix in the center of the cemetery.

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The following projects are in progress by the cemetery ministry:
- Research on cemeteries from the Archdiocese
- Grave site documentation
- Well installation
- Electricity
- Painting of buildings
- Landscaping

The bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity, in faith and hope of the Resurrection. The burial of the dead is a corporal work of mercy; it honors the children of God, who are temples of the Holy Spirit.

There is so much to accomplish. We are in need of help in all areas. Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a part of this committee.

Minutes from Cemetery Committee Meeting

cemetery informaion
Grave Site Costs
1. The cost of a grave site is $450.00
2. This price will increase $50 for each of the following three years commencing September 10, 2006.
3. After the three year period, the cemetery committee will review grave costs to see if additional action is needed.

cemetery regulations
In order to help maintain the sanctity, dignity and reverence of the parish cemetery, the Archdiocese has issued guidelines for its maintenance.
These guidelines are incorporated into the St. Michael Cemetery Rules and Regulations to help maintain the cemetery at a reasonable cost. The following are some rules which the parish community should be aware:
1. Flowers, plants or shrubberies of any kind may not be planted on the grave site or anywhere within the cemetery.
2. Faded artificial flowers will be removed as well as any that have blown away from their original locations.
3. Items such as toys, figurines, statues or other memorabilia should not be placed on grave sites.
4. Any flowers, real or artificial, must be in containers or vases and may be placed to the side of the grave monument.