Can you bury cremains without an urn?

[aicirt]

One source tells me ashes must be in an urn to be buried. My church has a memorial garden where the ashes are poured right into the hole dug for that person. Is this okay? Because we are planning on burying my 94-year-old mom there October 19. Yes, it is a Catholic church.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

I am so sorry and offer you my condolences on the loss of your mother. In answer to your question:

The cremated remains of the body may be properly buried at sea in the urn, coffin or other container in which they have been carried to the place of committal (source).

This means that cremains should not be poured into a hole in the ground, but put in a suitable container and then the container committed to the earth or water.