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lilaclady
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What is the attitude on cremation?
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J
JKirkLVNV
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Here is a link that may help you:
americancatholic.org/newsletters/cu/ac1097.asp
I plan to be cremated, as I know too much about embalming and the preparation process and it kind of creeps me out (of course, one can elect a closed casket without embalming…still kind of creeps me out!). This is included in my funeral instructions (I’m the only Catholic in my family):
To the Priest Who Shall Read This,
Dear Rev. Father:
As I am the only Catholic in my family, they will require help in preparing for my funeral Mass and the final disposition of my body.
I have elected, for economic reasons, to have my remains cremated. In accordance with the canons of the Church, I certify to you that, for my part, this is in no way a denial of the Resurection of the body or any teaching of Holy Mother Church. As I believe the Lord called me into my worldly life, so do I also believe that He is able to resurect my body from its cremains and I pray, by His Grace, to look upon His Face in the life of the world to come.
I am uncertain whether or not the local ordinary has granted general permission for cremains to be present for the funeral Mass of the deceased or whether permission must be obtained on a case by case basis. I would prefer, if possible, for my cremains to be present for both the vigil and the funeral Mass. I would appreciate your assistance in this matter, as would my family.
americancatholic.org/newsletters/cu/ac1097.asp
I plan to be cremated, as I know too much about embalming and the preparation process and it kind of creeps me out (of course, one can elect a closed casket without embalming…still kind of creeps me out!). This is included in my funeral instructions (I’m the only Catholic in my family):
To the Priest Who Shall Read This,
Dear Rev. Father:
As I am the only Catholic in my family, they will require help in preparing for my funeral Mass and the final disposition of my body.
I have elected, for economic reasons, to have my remains cremated. In accordance with the canons of the Church, I certify to you that, for my part, this is in no way a denial of the Resurection of the body or any teaching of Holy Mother Church. As I believe the Lord called me into my worldly life, so do I also believe that He is able to resurect my body from its cremains and I pray, by His Grace, to look upon His Face in the life of the world to come.
I am uncertain whether or not the local ordinary has granted general permission for cremains to be present for the funeral Mass of the deceased or whether permission must be obtained on a case by case basis. I would prefer, if possible, for my cremains to be present for both the vigil and the funeral Mass. I would appreciate your assistance in this matter, as would my family.
S
SuscipeMeDomine
Guest
Here’s a bit from the US Bishops:
Thus, while “cremation is now permitted, it does not enjoy the same value as burial of the body…The Church clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral rites, since the presence of the human body better expresses the values which the Church affirms in its rites.” (413) However, “when extraordinary circumstances make the cremation of a body the only feasible choice, pastoral sensitivity must be exercised by all who minister to the family of the deceased.” (414)
The rites of burial for the cremated remains of a body may be found in the appendix to the Order of Christian Funerals. This appendix recommends that when cremation is chosen, the body be cremated after the Funeral, thus allowing for the presence of the body at the Funeral Mass. When pastoral circumstances require it, however, cremation and committal may take place even before the Funeral liturgy.
Any catechesis on the subject of cremation should emphasize that “the cremated remains of a body should be treated with the same respect given to the corporeal remains of a human body. This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, the care and attention to appropriate placement and transport, and the final disposition.” (416)
While cremated remains may be buried in a grave, entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium or even buried at sea, “the practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or friend of the deceased are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires.” (416) 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. When a body, or the cremated remains of a body are buried at sea, the Committal prayer found at number 406 § 4 is used:
more]
Here’s more information from the bishops:
Why does the Church prefer the burial of the actual body of the deceased? There are many reasons that I can think of for the burial of simply the cremated remains.
The Church has always held a preference for corporeal body. The body of a deceased loved one forcefully brings to mind the mystery of life and death and our belief that our human bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and destined for future glory at the resurrection of the dead. In addition, the body which lies in death recalls the personal story of faith, the past relationships, and the continued spiritual presence of the deceased person.
This is the body once washed in baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation, and fed with the bread of life. This is the body whose hands clothed the poor and embraced the sorrowing. The human body is so inextricably associated with the human person that it is hard to think of a human person apart from his or her body. Thus, the Church’s reverence and care for the body grows out of a reverence and concern for the person whom the Church now commends to the care of God.
[Edited]
Thus, while “cremation is now permitted, it does not enjoy the same value as burial of the body…The Church clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral rites, since the presence of the human body better expresses the values which the Church affirms in its rites.” (413) However, “when extraordinary circumstances make the cremation of a body the only feasible choice, pastoral sensitivity must be exercised by all who minister to the family of the deceased.” (414)
The rites of burial for the cremated remains of a body may be found in the appendix to the Order of Christian Funerals. This appendix recommends that when cremation is chosen, the body be cremated after the Funeral, thus allowing for the presence of the body at the Funeral Mass. When pastoral circumstances require it, however, cremation and committal may take place even before the Funeral liturgy.
Any catechesis on the subject of cremation should emphasize that “the cremated remains of a body should be treated with the same respect given to the corporeal remains of a human body. This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, the care and attention to appropriate placement and transport, and the final disposition.” (416)
While cremated remains may be buried in a grave, entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium or even buried at sea, “the practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or friend of the deceased are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires.” (416) 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. When a body, or the cremated remains of a body are buried at sea, the Committal prayer found at number 406 § 4 is used:
more]
Here’s more information from the bishops:
Why does the Church prefer the burial of the actual body of the deceased? There are many reasons that I can think of for the burial of simply the cremated remains.
The Church has always held a preference for corporeal body. The body of a deceased loved one forcefully brings to mind the mystery of life and death and our belief that our human bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and destined for future glory at the resurrection of the dead. In addition, the body which lies in death recalls the personal story of faith, the past relationships, and the continued spiritual presence of the deceased person.
This is the body once washed in baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation, and fed with the bread of life. This is the body whose hands clothed the poor and embraced the sorrowing. The human body is so inextricably associated with the human person that it is hard to think of a human person apart from his or her body. Thus, the Church’s reverence and care for the body grows out of a reverence and concern for the person whom the Church now commends to the care of God.
[Edited]
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