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chinie19
Guest
The catholic Church doesn’t allowed to scatter the ashes or it is just a recomendation?
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His_helpmeet
Guest
It’s not allowed because doing so does not demonstrate proper respect for the body of the deceased. It’s also not permitted to keep the cremains in a piece of jewellery or in the home, because again, these methods don’t demonstrate proper respect. Cremains must be interred in a cemetery or in a columbarium.
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chinie19
Guest
Does not demostrate proper respect?? Why burried is more respectful?
I am obedient if the Church said that, but I don’t understand
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Corki
Guest
Because burial preserves the integrity of the body as does putting ashes into a columbarium. Scattering does not.Does not demostrate proper respect?? Why burried is more respectful?
I am obedient if the Church said that, but I don’t understand
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sirach2v4
Guest
The policy about burial or reservation of ashes is based on the concern that NOT doing either of these is an assault on the belief in resurrection.
Dispersal over the ocean or rocketing them into the sun is disrespectful to an individual who was created in the image and likeness of God.
Our bodies, as St. Paul says, are temples of the Holy Spirit and must be shown respect, even in death.
Dispersal over the ocean or rocketing them into the sun is disrespectful to an individual who was created in the image and likeness of God.
Our bodies, as St. Paul says, are temples of the Holy Spirit and must be shown respect, even in death.
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chinie19
Guest
Respect is to me to feel or show deferential regard, esteem, for someone or something. Is not just the place you put it.
I think you can show a lot of respect scattering the ashes as well.
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Corki
Guest
You may be showing respect for the person but not respect for the integrity of his/her body. It is related not only to the teaching as noted in the above posts about the reunification of our souls with our body but also is consistent with teaching against mutilation. It’s not about “the place you put it” but about the treatment and deference given.Respect is to me to feel or show deferential regard, esteem, for someone or thamthing. Is not just the place you put it.
I think you can show a lot of respect scattering the ashes as well.
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pianistclare
Guest
There’s the added element that they are all together in one place!Does not demostrate proper respect?? Why burried is more respectful?
I am obedient if the Church said that, but I don’t understand
I don’t get how “scattering” seems better.
I wouldn’t want my loved one’s remains swallowed up by an animal. In the sea or otherwise. That to me, is disrespectful. I understand that scattering is trendy now. But so many cultures through the ages have a high regard for burial. That’s why they call it a place of rest.
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NeedsMercy
Guest
I know that the Church says that cremains must not be scattered nor kept at home and I respect that. However, the death industry is big business and thievery at best. Embalming, coffins, grave plots, etc. are hugely expensive. There is no way that low income families can afford these items. Cremation can cut costs, but interment of cremains in a columbarium is not cheap. It costs thousands! I know that my husband and I do not have the financial wherewithal for this. We’ll probably end up on a family mantel. 
“I am dying beyond my means.” - Oscar Wilde
“I am dying beyond my means.” - Oscar Wilde
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pianistclare
Guest
My first husband was cremated. $750. The little box was $125. The parish buried him for free. A deacon and a shovel. Cemeteries have spots for ashes in the ground. It doesn’t have to cost a lot. You just have to have a plan.I know that the Church says that cremains must not be scattered nor kept at home and I respect that. However, the death industry is big business and thievery at best. Embalming, coffins, grave plots, etc. are hugely expensive. There is no way that low income families can afford these items. Cremation can cut costs, but interment of cremains in a columbarium is not cheap. It costs thousands! I know that my husband and I do not have the financial wherewithal for this. We’ll probably end up on a family mantel.
“I am dying beyond my means.” - Oscar Wilde
Also the local Monastery offers natural burial. No embalming…just wrap the beloved in a favorite quilt, the monks dig the hole…you have a simple rough stone for a marker…it’s in the woods. You can have a name or a Bible verse. Less than a couple grand.
It can be done properly, true to the faith, and reasonably. You just need to have a plan. Pre-pay if you can, that way no one in a moment of grief makes a costly decision that is unnecessary.
God bless.
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andrewstx
Guest
Maybe look around a bit. I am having my ashes (not ‘cremains’) placed in a church columbarium in Midland Texas. The cost will be only $300. That includes the urn as well.I know that the Church says that cremains must not be scattered nor kept at home and I respect that. However, the death industry is big business and thievery at best. Embalming, coffins, grave plots, etc. are hugely expensive. There is no way that low income families can afford these items. Cremation can cut costs, but interment of cremains in a columbarium is not cheap. It costs thousands! I know that my husband and I do not have the financial wherewithal for this. We’ll probably end up on a family mantel.
“I am dying beyond my means.” - Oscar Wilde
I agree about the undertaking industry and their price gouging.
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Martin_Pastore
Guest
This was a great question!
Only up until recently, did I get clarification, on the RCChurch view on cremation.
So many people,(including family members) have requested cremation.
I and much of my family come from a seaside area, and this “spreading the ashes” at sea is a common request, although I have never been in charge of one of these “burials”.
I am so glad the question was asked because, I never thought to ask, once I found out cremation was authorized.
I may have involved myself unknowingly…now I know better…correct teaching.
Thanks again, Martin Pastore.
Only up until recently, did I get clarification, on the RCChurch view on cremation.
So many people,(including family members) have requested cremation.
I and much of my family come from a seaside area, and this “spreading the ashes” at sea is a common request, although I have never been in charge of one of these “burials”.
I am so glad the question was asked because, I never thought to ask, once I found out cremation was authorized.
I may have involved myself unknowingly…now I know better…correct teaching.
Thanks again, Martin Pastore.
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NeedsMercy
Guest
Technically, bodies are not usually reduced to total ash in the cremation process. There will be bone fragments in the cremated remains (cremains) which may–or may not–be further processed.
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pianistclare
Guest
This is true…the cremains are REALLY heavy because of this…it’s only in the movies where they look like fireplace ash.
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corsair
Guest
We purchased side by side plots in a nearby Catholic cemetery for $550.00 for the pair.
My son has made our coffins and they are stored in our shop loft. The only thing that needs paid for is the freezer time at the mortuary and the delivery to the church, which is less than 10 miles. The Catholic cemetery is one of the oldest in the state of Washington. Dating to 1840 for the first burial.
My son has made our coffins and they are stored in our shop loft. The only thing that needs paid for is the freezer time at the mortuary and the delivery to the church, which is less than 10 miles. The Catholic cemetery is one of the oldest in the state of Washington. Dating to 1840 for the first burial.
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Hoosier_Daddy
Guest
You son made them? Now that is an awkward Christmas morning right there!We purchased side by side plots in a nearby Catholic cemetery for $550.00 for the pair.
My son has made our coffins and they are stored in our shop loft. The only thing that needs paid for is the freezer time at the mortuary and the delivery to the church, which is less than 10 miles. The Catholic cemetery is one of the oldest in the state of Washington. Dating to 1840 for the first burial.
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maryjk
Guest
You may want to look into what your state allows for transportation. You may not have to involve the mortuary. I know of families, when their loved ones died at home, took care of the entire process themselves.We purchased side by side plots in a nearby Catholic cemetery for $550.00 for the pair.
My son has made our coffins and they are stored in our shop loft. The only thing that needs paid for is the freezer time at the mortuary and the delivery to the church, which is less than 10 miles. The Catholic cemetery is one of the oldest in the state of Washington. Dating to 1840 for the first burial.
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His_helpmeet
Guest
When we lived in Brazil, there was a coffin shop that we often passed while shopping. The coffins were displayed in a lovely half-circle, STANDING ON END. Not sitting nicely flat on stands, as you often see in North America - standing right up on end. You half-expected Dracula or the Mummy to come walking out of oneYou son made them? Now that is an awkward Christmas morning right there!
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ChurchSoldier
Guest
If you look around early you can get lower prices on cremation, usually around $1000 right now. Find the nearest Catholic Cemetery and you will be able to buy a plot for a relatively low price.
One thing I’ve seen a couple times in the past 6 months are people having ashes placed in necklaces and wearing them around. Really kind of creepy. Reminds me of ancestor worship…
One thing I’ve seen a couple times in the past 6 months are people having ashes placed in necklaces and wearing them around. Really kind of creepy. Reminds me of ancestor worship…
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pianistclare
Guest
It all kind of depends on whether your state has a strong Funeral Directors Association lobby.
In our state, you cannot transport a body unless you have an approved receptacle…which for us meant, a cardboard box (sold by the mortuary of course) to take him to the crematory. It wasn’t huge, but there was a cost.
If you should decide on natural burial (like at a monastery) you need to arrange that with the Mortuary in advance…they simply keep your loved one chilled, do not embalm, and then make arrangements to transport to your chosen site.
As with anything, thinking about it in advance, discussing the pros and cons with family, and not having to make impulsive decisions by your survivors will save money, grief, and they will be secure knowing that they followed you wishes to the letter. People struggle enough at the death of their loved ones…without the added task of making these hard decisions for you. Planning your funeral and burial/cremation is a great gift to those you love.
In our state, you cannot transport a body unless you have an approved receptacle…which for us meant, a cardboard box (sold by the mortuary of course) to take him to the crematory. It wasn’t huge, but there was a cost.
If you should decide on natural burial (like at a monastery) you need to arrange that with the Mortuary in advance…they simply keep your loved one chilled, do not embalm, and then make arrangements to transport to your chosen site.
As with anything, thinking about it in advance, discussing the pros and cons with family, and not having to make impulsive decisions by your survivors will save money, grief, and they will be secure knowing that they followed you wishes to the letter. People struggle enough at the death of their loved ones…without the added task of making these hard decisions for you. Planning your funeral and burial/cremation is a great gift to those you love.
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