Burials/Care for the Dead

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I’ve been watching a whole lot of Ask A Mortician and it has me thinking about how one should be interred. I admit I don’t know a huge amount of Church teaching in this regard, though I recall something about bodies being buried being preferable but cremation being allowed so long as it isn’t done in defiance of God. I’m interested in hearing what people are thinking of regarding their final resting place.

There’s a bit of a rising interest in green burials where the body isn’t embalmed and is buried in a biodegradable coffin or shroud. Interred in a way so as to encourage decay. Planting things over the person is optional but it seems like a good idea.

There’s also the option of donating your body to science, either for use in a body farm or for medical students. This is separate to donating organs. The body farm has the bonus of again allowing for a natural decomposition.

My family have been somewhat split between burial and cremation. But there are so many options and things to think about. Death positivity is a really interesting movement, it just seems to be something we don’t speak about.
 
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I wish I lived closer to a green burial cemetery, so I could plan for it.
However, not to sound gross, but how do they stop animals from digging up the bodies?
 
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Official document from the Vatican:

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/c...c_20160815_ad-resurgendum-cum-christo_en.html

Bottom line, we show respect for the body of the deceased.

Catechism section:

Respect for the dead

2299 The dying should be given attention and care to help them live their last moments in dignity and peace. They will be helped by the prayer of their relatives, who must see to it that the sick receive at the proper time the sacraments that prepare them to meet the living God.

2300 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;92 it honors the children of God, who are temples of the Holy Spirit.

2301 Autopsies can be morally permitted for legal inquests or scientific research. The free gift of organs after death is legitimate and can be meritorious.

The Church permits cremation, provided that it does not demonstrate a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body.93

Catechism WRT organ donation:

2296 Organ transplants are in conformity with the moral law if the physical and psychological dangers and risks to the donor are proportionate to the good sought for the recipient. Organ donation after death is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged as a expression of generous solidarity. It is not morally acceptable if the donor or his proxy has not given explicit consent. Moreover, it is not morally admissible to bring about the disabling mutilation or death of a human being, even in order to delay the death of other persons.

Entire article begins here Catechism of the Catholic Church - PART 3 SECTION 2 CHAPTER 2 ARTICLE 5
 
Oh, have you read Mary Roach’s book “Stiff”? Fascinating read!
 
If the dying have received last rights, confession and communion, That is half the battle. I don’t think embalming matters too much one way or the other, though not embalming is more “earth friendly” and is a requirement to use a “green” cemetery," alonwith using a casket made out of soft woods and biodegradable materials, including cloths.

The bodies are buried deeply enough to ensure animals are not a problem. Catholics must have a Catholic funeral if at all possible, and the ground should be consecrated. I am fortunate enough to be living within an hour of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit and Honey Creek burial Grounds.


There are meadows and woods, it is just beautiful. This is where I would like to be buried. As most people know, and another poster has quoted from the CCC cremation is allowed, but with the caveat that the ashes are not scattered, but are interred as soon as arrangements can be feasibly made.

I buried my father in March of this year, and ordered an urn made by Trappist Monks.

https://trappistcaskets.com/

It was of great comfort to me, and the prices were very reasonable. The customer service and followup were amazing. I think it is important to note that while cremation is permitted, again scattering is not, and dividing up the ashes, and putting some of them in “keep sake” urns is not permitted either.

My advice to those who have been given a request to scatter by a living relative is to quote these restrictions, and if they wont relent, tell them they will have to get someone else to handle that part of their final wishes.
 
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Green burial has always intriuged me. I don’t think the Church has any problems with them.

As far as scientitific donation, I dont know what the church says
 
I believe the body is interred in an unfinished plank coffin
 
From my understanding they still bury people quite deep, deep enough that animals won’t smell anything to dig up.
 
As long as you can legally do so on the property, yes.

If you can, have a priest do a final blessing, and have Mass said for the deceased
 
To bury in the ground or inter the ashes in a columbarium is the proper disposition of cremains.
 
Thank you. I knew this is one option some family of mine have been considering (we live quite far from a green cemetery unfortunately, though hopefully they’ll be around a lot longer and that will change).
 
I mean, cemetery plots are expensive, and embalmment is horrid for the earth.

I’m only 17, but cremation and burial seem to be a cheaper, more eco friendly option
 
Hey, I can make an argument that modern embalming is contrary to Catholic teaching as it does not treat the human body with dignity and respect.
 
Not necessarily. The Monks in Conyers GA will bury you in a favorite quilt if you wish.
As for animals…they bury people VERY deep…per laws of the state.
 
Nah. Not givin the Lord any ideas in advance about firey torment
Just sayin

Natural burial is fairly inexpensive.

Plots at our parish cemetery are $1000.
It’s the funeral parlors that charge a lot.
Get an insurance policy for burial, but NEVER tell the Funeral home director that you have it or how much you have.

 
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pianistclare said:
It’s the funeral parlors that charge a lot.

Get an insurance policy for burial, but NEVER tell the Funeral home director that you have it or how much you have.
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I don’t mean to appear dense, but could you please explain this?
 
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