cremation

  • Thread starter Thread starter truthquester
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
**Care of Cremated Remains **
Click to expand...
The cremation instructions call attention to the care taken of the cremated remains. They should be treated with the same respect we give to the body of the deceased. The remains are to be placed in a worthy vessel which then is carried and transported with the same respect and attention given to a casket carrying a body.
Click to expand...
Their final disposition is equally important, say the instructions: “The cremated remains should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium [a cemetery vault designed for urns containing ashes of the dead]. 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.” The instructions also state that, if at all possible, the place of entombment should be marked with a plaque or stone memorializing the deceased.
Click to expand...
More here - americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac1097.asp

From: Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr. John Hardon, S.J.
CREMATION. The act of destroying the human body by fire after death. Christians followed the Jews in disposing of corpses by burial rather than by cremation, thinking of the latter as an unnatural and violent destruction of the human body, the repository of the Holy Spirit during life on earth. Since no principle of faith would be jeopardized by cremation, it has always been allowed with permission when public health required it. The Catholic Church has always opposed it, though, when it meant a defiance of belief in the resurrection of the body, and for centuries excommunicated those who ordered cremation for themselves or for others. At present, to meet changing world conditions, the Church is more lenient in her views on this method of disposal of the dead, while still preferring burial. (Etym. Latin cremare, to burn.)
Click to expand...
therealpresence.org/dictionary/adict.htm
Click to expand...
 
Justifications for cremation:
Less expensive in the US.
Easier when a funeral demands that important members of the family must travel long distances to get there.
As mentioned, more sanitary.
Easier for the family to mourn in peace, when others may tend to intrude.
 
This is from the Vatican’s Catechism and Canon Law

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

the bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity, in faith and hope of the Resurrection.

The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the deceased be observed; nevertheless, the Church does not prohibit cremation unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine.
 
marcaevans said:
This is from the Vatican’s Catechism and Canon Law

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

the bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity, in faith and hope of the Resurrection.

The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the deceased be observed; nevertheless, the Church does not prohibit cremation unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine.
Click to expand...
I will be cremated. I have already purchased my little space in a Catholic mausoleum in a Catholic graveyard. I will be around the corner from my grandfather, who was my hero. I chose it because the cremation is cheaper than getting prepared for burial and the little spot I bought was a LOT cheaper than a burial plot. There is chapel in the mausoleum where mass is performed when people are buried. I like the idea of being close to mass after I die.
 
Im 23, Ive not really thought about it up to now. I have a long while to go, I hope. 😃 I think I would want to be buried though rather than cremated especially since I am an organ donor.
 
For the most part, cremation is not permitted in the Holy Orthodox Church.
 
I want to be cremated. As civilization grows, I can just see my casket being moved by a giant crane and dropped into a dump truck. Then taken to big hole in the ground somewhere else, and slidding in and then everything from the inside going to the outside. In other words, I do not place much faith in the ceo’s of this world.

The second thing I see is a big flood coming, and my casket flooting down a river to unknown parts and where she goes nobody knows.

Then there is always the chance that someone will rob it for an antique watch.

Or they dig it up centuries later and put me in a meuseum to hang there on exhibit with a note saying the “hoidladalkskdwi man”.

No thanks. I don’t have that much humility to spare. And I want my share of “rest in peace.”
 
In burying the bodies of the departed, the Church leaves it to the will of God either to commit them to natural decay in accordance with the judgment pronounced upon Adam, or to set aside the order of nature and preserve the bodies of the saints incorrupt, as a clear sign that the righteous souls that inhabited them “are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them” (Wis. Sol. 3:1). To cremate bodies would mean to reject so, precious a sign of grace, which serves as a fountain of salvation “pouring forth manifold blessings.”
 
The time is approaching,and soon too, when most countries will impose compulsory cremation, owing to lack of burial space. Of course, there is always the possibility. with so many t(name removed by moderator)ot rulers having the nuclear capability, that we will all be cremated by incineration!
 
Mickey said:
In burying the bodies of the departed, the Church leaves it to the will of God either to commit them to natural decay in accordance with the judgment pronounced upon Adam, or to set aside the order of nature and preserve the bodies of the saints incorrupt, as a clear sign that the righteous souls that inhabited them “are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them” (Wis. Sol. 3:1). To cremate bodies would mean to reject so, precious a sign of grace, which serves as a fountain of salvation “pouring forth manifold blessings.”
Click to expand...
. . . An excellent reason for burial of the body. 👍 👍

You got me thinking Mickey - If we were all cremated and rushing to cremate those who have just died, we wouldn’t have any first class relics to venerate either - would we ?

. . . **Relics in the Altar, EWTN **

Cremation is permissible , but it isn’t really as true to our Christian tradition as burial is.

Imagine the complications that would’ve arisen if they had cremated our Blessed Lord’s body after taking Him down from the Cross.:ouch:
 
NeedImprovement said:
. . . An excellent reason for burial of the body. 👍 👍

You got me thinking Mickey - If we were all cremated and rushing to cremate those who have just died, we wouldn’t have any first class relics to venerate either - would we ?

. . . **Relics in the Altar, EWTN **

Cremation is permissible in the Catholic Church , but as you point out, it isn’t really as true to our Christian tradition as burial is.

Imagine the complications that would’ve arisen if they had cremated our Blessed Lord’s body after taking Him down from the Cross.:ouch:
Click to expand...
 
NeedImprovement said:
If we were all cremated and rushing to cremate those who have just died, we wouldn’t have any first class relics to venerate either - would we ?
Click to expand...
Exactly.
NeedImprovement said:
Cremation is permissible , but it isn’t really as true to our Christian tradition as burial is.
Click to expand...
I think that cremation was not permissible in the Latin Catholic Church until somewhere around the second vatican council or later. The Eastern Catholics still frown (forcefully) on the practice.
NeedImprovement said:
Imagine the complications that would’ve arisen if they had cremated our Blessed Lord’s body after taking Him down from the Cross.
Click to expand...
Christ’s body was buried in the earth (tomb). I am going to emulate our Lord as much as possible. I will NEVER be cremated. I am having it written in my will!
 
I don’t understand. Why would we need bodies in an afterlife - unless you believe that the afterlife is some kind of life here on earth like I think the Jehovah’s witnesses do?
You can’t believe that people who are blown up or their bodies spread by wild animals won’t get an afterlife so why can’t people’s ashes be spread somewhere? Surely every part of God’s earth is as good as a little jar in a manmade wall or building? What about the huge collections of bones in some church crypts? They had to do that to make space for more bodies - think how much ground would be taken up if everyone who had lived had their own plot for ever! Bodies stay relatively undecayed ( only relatively- they mummify) due to climactic conditions in which they are kept. You wouldn’t suggest that the ancient mummified bodies found in peat bogs and/or maybe permafrost(?) are some kind of saints would you? We need our bodies as they are for the day to day getting by on earth. Isn’t your soul supposed to be released from it on death?
 
My dad passed away in December and was cremated. They had church funural and buried most of his ashes in a cemetary plot. My brother then bought 3 smaller urns so he, me and my sister could have a small part of his ashes.
I live in a different province, about a 5 day drive away and I told him not to send me the ashes because I felt it may be disrespectfull to my father as he was never in this part of the country while he was alive and I thought that maybe his spirit wouldn’t rest if I did that; although, I would like to have some of his ashes to bury them at the base of a memorial tree but I wasn’t sure. I am being too careful, does this sound superstitious or should I follow my instincts?
I could really use some advice here.
 
Mickey said:
You have free will to leave instructions to be cremated one day if that is what you wish.
Click to expand...
That’s not much of an answer! I like to back up knowledge with some understanding…explain to me why you have these ideas otherwise I just have to guess…and I might guess wrong. I may not agree in the end, but at least my facts will be right! You are not, I am pretty confident, afraid of discussing and retesting (for want of a better word) your ideas.
 
Walcot said:
That’s not much of an answer!
Click to expand...
Sure it is. You are agnostic correct? You seemingly mocked the idea of the holy relics of the saints.

I gave explanations…but they are not my explanations…they are the teaching of my Church…and I am obedient. If you do not accept it, then that is a matter of free will for you. I do not have much more to say. If you would like to read further on the subject, you can look at this:

orthodoxinfo.com/death/cremation.aspx
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top