Diocese Offers Funeral Funds to Victims of Pentagon Attack

By Linda Busetti
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 9/20/01)

Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde announced Sept. 13 that he has authorized the establishment of the Pentagon Victims’ Funeral Fund, making burial plots and funeral arrangement grants available to families in the territory of the diocese who may need assistance.

Through Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, free burial plots and/or monetary grants of up to $2,500 will be available to families of victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon.

Qualification for assistance from the Pentagon Victims’ Funeral Fund is not limited to Catholic burials, nor will there be a strict requirement to demonstrate financial need. Bishop Loverde said, "It is my intention that all families who have been touched by this tragedy be the recipients of this gesture of compassion."

Communication with the diocese about applying for a burial plot or grant should come from the cleric or funeral director making the arrangements rather than the family. Inquiries can be directed to Michael O’Rourke, of the diocesan Catholic Charities office, at 703/841-2542.

The following basic criteria will be required for a family to benefit from this fund: the deceased must have been a resident of the diocese; the deceased must have died in either the airline crash or the explosion and fire at the Pentagon; and proof that "the victim’s family has not been charged for that portion of the funeral arrangements which grants from this fund will subsidize" must be provided by the funeral director.

Diocesan parishes plan a second collection on Sunday, Sept. 16, to benefit the fund.

Contributions to the fund can also be forwarded to Pentagon Victims’ Funeral Fund, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington, 200 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 506, Arlington, VA 22203.

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