D
Deacon_Joseph
Guest
Why did the Church recently allow people to be cremated?
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C
Claire_from_DE
Guest
No problem with cremation itself. The church originally disallowed it because it was being done by those who denied the resurrection of the dead and by doing the same it would appear that Catholics who did so shared those beliefs. That isn’t the case now. It is advised that the mass of Christian burial be done before the cremation.
J
japhy
Guest
I can give you references to the first post-Vatican II documents that deal with cremation later tonight.
J
japhy
Guest
DOL 413 (nn. 3366-3370), SC HOLY OFFICE, Instruction Piam et constantem, on cremation, 8 May 1963: AAS 56 (1964) 822-833. (Text available by following the link.)
DOL 416 (nn. 3373-3397), SC DIVINE WORSHIP, Rite of Funerals, Introduction, 15 August 1969: Vatican Polyglot Press, 1969. (Excerpt below.)
{3387} 15. Funeral rites are to be granted to those who have chosen cremation, unless there is evidence that their choice was dictated by anti-Christian motives, as set forth in the Holy Office’s Instruction on cremation, 8 May 1963, nos. 2-3.
The funeral is to be celebrated according to the model in use in the region. It should be carried out in a way, however, that clearly expresses the Church’s preference for the custom of burying the dead, after the example of Christ’s own will to be buried, and that forestalls any danger of scandalizing or shocking the faithful.
The rites usually held in the cemetery chapel or at the grave may in this case take place within the confines of the crematorium and, for want of any other suitable place, even in the crematorium room. Every precaution is to be taken against the danger of scandal or religious indifferentism.
DOL 416 (nn. 3373-3397), SC DIVINE WORSHIP, Rite of Funerals, Introduction, 15 August 1969: Vatican Polyglot Press, 1969. (Excerpt below.)
{3387} 15. Funeral rites are to be granted to those who have chosen cremation, unless there is evidence that their choice was dictated by anti-Christian motives, as set forth in the Holy Office’s Instruction on cremation, 8 May 1963, nos. 2-3.
The funeral is to be celebrated according to the model in use in the region. It should be carried out in a way, however, that clearly expresses the Church’s preference for the custom of burying the dead, after the example of Christ’s own will to be buried, and that forestalls any danger of scandalizing or shocking the faithful.
The rites usually held in the cemetery chapel or at the grave may in this case take place within the confines of the crematorium and, for want of any other suitable place, even in the crematorium room. Every precaution is to be taken against the danger of scandal or religious indifferentism.
G
Ghoti
Guest
I intend to be cremated – then the cremains interred, of course.
I do not deny the resurrection. As a matter of fact, it is my very faith in the resurrection that allows me to believe that the Lord can re-make me out of ashes as easily as from worm-bait.
“Remember, man, that thou art dust…”
The reason for this is economical. There is no way I can afford a funeral, unless I die indigent and get put in a potter’s field on the Crown’s nickel. Had I died 5 years ago, the CF would have paid up to $10,000 towards burial expenses. Now…
It’s one of the obscenities of modern society now that it costs so much to die “properly”, and many funeral arrangers prey on the grief of those left behind to extort tens of thousands of dollars for mahogany caskets with corinthian leather linings and gold-plated fittings.
I had originally planned to leave whatever organs could be harvested for use, and either cremate the rest or donate it for scientific use. Unfortunately, now, there seems to be some doubt as to whether someone is truly “dead” when organs are harvested, which means that should I donate, I may be complicit in (and making someone else complicit in) my own murder.
Cremation seems to be the best option. Unless it can be demonstrated that organs can be harvested once the donor is truly dead, in which case I can go back to my original scheme.
I once had an idea of a lay religious order – one that would carry out one of the most expensive corporal works of mercy, burying the dead. I think that’s one of the works that doesn’t seem to be covered out there among the ministries to the sick, imprisoned, hungry etc (although I could be wrong
…naaahhh! 
)
I do not deny the resurrection. As a matter of fact, it is my very faith in the resurrection that allows me to believe that the Lord can re-make me out of ashes as easily as from worm-bait.
“Remember, man, that thou art dust…”
The reason for this is economical. There is no way I can afford a funeral, unless I die indigent and get put in a potter’s field on the Crown’s nickel. Had I died 5 years ago, the CF would have paid up to $10,000 towards burial expenses. Now…
It’s one of the obscenities of modern society now that it costs so much to die “properly”, and many funeral arrangers prey on the grief of those left behind to extort tens of thousands of dollars for mahogany caskets with corinthian leather linings and gold-plated fittings.
I had originally planned to leave whatever organs could be harvested for use, and either cremate the rest or donate it for scientific use. Unfortunately, now, there seems to be some doubt as to whether someone is truly “dead” when organs are harvested, which means that should I donate, I may be complicit in (and making someone else complicit in) my own murder.
Cremation seems to be the best option. Unless it can be demonstrated that organs can be harvested once the donor is truly dead, in which case I can go back to my original scheme.
I once had an idea of a lay religious order – one that would carry out one of the most expensive corporal works of mercy, burying the dead. I think that’s one of the works that doesn’t seem to be covered out there among the ministries to the sick, imprisoned, hungry etc (although I could be wrong
…naaahhh! )
A
Aramis
Guest
Part of the problem with current burial practices is the expense of the cemetery. My wife knows to bury me in the cheapest box allowed.
Buying one’s cemetery plot ahead of time can save a lot of money.
Buying one’s cemetery plot ahead of time can save a lot of money.
G
Ghoti
Guest
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