Are there funerals Catholics should not attend just as there are weddings?

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I often hear and read about illicit marriages where a practicing Catholic should not attend because it is scandalous to do so.

Recently I heard the spouse of someone who passed away inviting people to the deceased “scattering at sea” burial? No mass or anything of the sort just a spreading of the deceased ashes (in this case at sea).

That got me wondering if as a Catholic we are to avoid such funerary “ceremonies” just as we are to avoid illicit unions?

Would appreciate hearing from someone who knows what the Church actually teaches on this subject?

Edit: I should add that I did not know this person and was not asked to attend. It was just something I heard about and wondered what I should do if I ever were in such a situation of being asked?
 
First, what you describe is not a funeral. Regarding the question of funerals a Catholic should not in general attend-- one should not attend the funeral of a Catholic who has been denied an ecclesiastical funeral.

Of course, this remains a prudential matter.

But what you are talking about is not a funeral, nor a Church liturgy at all. The liturgical norms call for burying the cremated remains, not scattering them.

ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWCREMA.HTM

Whether or not a Catholic should *attend *ash scattering is a prudential matter and depends on many factors including whether the person was a Catholic, relationship to the person in question, etc.

Perhaps discuss it with your pastor.
 
In a case like this a big consideration is if this person was a baptized Catholic or not. If this person was NOT then I see no problem on attending out of respect for their family and friends but if this person happened to be a baptized Catholic I would make a point of letting the family know about THEIR obligation to give their loved one a Christian burial. I would not attend the ash scattering ceremony, I would however let the family know that a mass for the dead would be offered on the day they intend to scatter the ashes.

“Viva Cristo Rey!!”
Deacon Harbey
 
Catholicdeacon said:
In a case like this a big consideration is if this person was a baptized Catholic or not. If this person was NOT then I see no problem on attending out of respect for their family and friends but if this person happened to be a baptized Catholic I would make a point of letting the family know about THEIR obligation to give their loved one a Christian burial. I would not attend the ash scattering ceremony, I would however let the family know that a mass for the dead would be offered on the day they intend to scatter the ashes.

“Viva Cristo Rey!!”
Deacon Harbey
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Is the requirement to (literally) bury the dead a matter of discipline (presumably expressed in Canon Law)?

Is “burial” at sea always an acceptable form of burial, or only when a practical necessity?
 
Seriously? My mom’s ashes were scattered. And we had a Catholic funeral. Then again, my country has land constraints and nobody really buries anyone anymore. If it was a sin, the priest would have definitely said so.
 
Lea101 said:
Seriously? My mom’s ashes were scattered. And we had a Catholic funeral. Then again, my country has land constraints and nobody really buries anyone anymore. If it was a sin, the priest would have definitely said so.
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Yes, seriously. The Church definitely teaches ashes are to be interred,

Land constraints or not.

I am sorry your priest did not inform you. It is possible he didn’t know or made a mistake.
 
Rau said:
Is the requirement to (literally) bury the dead a matter of discipline (presumably expressed in Canon Law)?

Is “burial” at sea always an acceptable form of burial, or only when a practical necessity?
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Burial at sea is a legitimate form of burial.
 
1ke said:
Burial at sea is a legitimate form of burial.
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That’s what I always thought. Now I feel so uneasy knowing that my mom was not “buried” properly. But I guess her burial does not affect her salvation…?
 
Funerals are really for the living. Going to a funeral is an act of mercy for the family and friends who are grieving and appreciate your support. I don’t think going to a non-Catholic funeral service is an act of support for the institution; it’s an act of support for the grieving. This is different from attending a gay “wedding” ceremony, where presence tends to indicate approval and support of the institution itself.
 
So I found out that they didn’t scatter the ashes, the priest told my dad at the last minute that they couldn’t do that but they buried it at sea as a whole if that makes sense.

He did say that it was alright to visit funerals even though they scattered the ashes. Although it is wise to gently remind them. If not, it’s still okay to go there and pray for the deceased 🙂
 
SilverLight said:
If it’s in a person’s will or their last wishes Vs what the religion says then. If a dying relative tells you openly to do so I would do so in respect for them and out of love.
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And I would not.

I would inter their ashes or leave the scattering to a non Catholic. I would also make this clear to my relative beforehand
 
1ke said:
And I would not.

I would inter their ashes or leave the scattering to a non Catholic. I would also make this clear to my relative beforehand
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That’s fine no one is forcing you to do so.
 
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