cremation

[exiled]

I think many years ago the Church prohibited cremation of remains, is that correct? On what was this based? It is also my understanding that the prohibition has been lifted, and I wonder why?
I’m not sure this is the right forum, so I expect it’ll be moved accordingly!

 

[paulCT]

There is a very good article on cremation for Catholics over at AmericanCatholic.org. Some interesting historical information.

 

[puzzleannie]

the Catholic Update is a good article explaining why now it is possible to have the cremated remains in church, in an appropriate container during the funeral liturgy, whereas before the change about 10 years ago, the family had the option of a funeral with the body present in a casket, followed by cremation and appropriate treatment of remains. the only other option was cremation and interment of remains, followed by a memorial Mass at some later time.

the Catholic Update explains that change, but does not explain OP’s question on the historical reasons for the Church’s prohibition on cremation in general. That is simply that for most of the time in the culture in which the Church evolved cremation was synonymous with deliberate public denial of the doctrine of resurrection of the body, and rejection of Catholic doctrine on rsponect for the hman body. Since the reasons for cremation now are more based on practical and financial considerations, as described in the Update, and most Catholics presumably accept and believe in the resurrection of the body doctrine, there is no need for the prohibition pastorally.

in another country and culture where cremation has pagan connotations and is perceived as a denial of this doctrine, the bishops might well decide to ban cremation.

 

[Malvin]

As I understand it, cremation is acceptable to the Church. However, are there rules that apply to the distribution of the ashes? Aside from the typical distribution over water or in the sky, there are new ideas for distribution.

Specifically, would the method shown at hourglassurn.com be acceptable to the Catholic Church?

 

[jmdsc]

As I understand it, cremation is acceptable to the Church. However, are there rules that apply to the distribution of the ashes? Aside from the typical distribution over water or in the sky, there are new ideas for distribution.

Specifically, would the method shown at hourglassurn.com be acceptable to the Catholic Church?

I’m sure someone will correct me if I am wrong or if things have changed…

When my sister died we were instructed that cremation was acceptable, however the ashes had to be contained and then buried/interred. No scattering or keeping them with us was acceptable.

 

[Swan]

I’m sure someone will correct me if I am wrong or if things have changed…

When my sister died we were instructed that cremation was acceptable, however the ashes had to be contained and then buried/interred. No scattering or keeping them with us was acceptable.

Any idea why not? My guess is that the scattering issue has something to do with the resurrection of the body - that it would make it difficult for God - but this makes no sense to me as God is capable of all things. We scattered my dad’s ashes as he requested. As to why you couldn’t keep them at home, I’ve no idea. That is what we did with my brother and what I’m planning to do when my mom dies. I should add that no one in my family is Catholic now that I’ve left the Church, so I’m just curious and offering my humble thoughts.

 

[BRB]

Romans would often burn the bodies of the early martyrs … so the families could not recover them and do proper burial. Roman also believed if body was distroyed … it could not be later resurrected.

Thus, in early Christian days … cremation was an abominable thing. satan … who knows he will soon burn too, probably inspired the pagans to commit the atrosity on the believers.

However, I’ve no good explanation for why the Church later decided torching some presumptive witches and heretics was in order.

 

[PaulDupre]

Any idea why not? My guess is that the scattering issue has something to do with the resurrection of the body - that it would make it difficult for God - but this makes no sense to me as God is capable of all things.

That’s not the reason at all. It has to do with proper respect for the remains of your loved one. With scattering, there is a great danger of desecration of the remains.

I recall a movie where a family planned to scatter the remains of their loved one at his favorite ocean overlook. Just as they uncovered the ashes, the wind came up and blew the ashes back in their faces. They were all spitting and coughing. It was supposed to be funny, but it shows the danger of desecration when people take it on themselves to dispose of human remains.

Hope this helps,
Paul

 

[AMDGtoo]

When my sister died we were instructed that cremation was acceptable, however the ashes had to be contained and then buried/interred. No scattering or keeping them with us was acceptable.

Same thing with us when my mother died last year. (Yes she choose cremation, but the cremains were buried. Afterall, the body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit and should be treated with respect–no creating air pollution, nor wearing vials of them around your neck, nor keeping the ashes in curio cabinets.)

And a couple years ago a local small airport took out an advertisement in our Church bulletin which specifically mentioned “scattering the cremains” and when our pastor saw the ad, it was pulled.

 

[Swan]

That’s not the reason at all. It has to do with proper respect for the remains of your loved one. With scattering, there is a great danger of desecration of the remains.

I recall a movie where a family planned to scatter the remains of their loved one at his favorite ocean overlook. Just as they uncovered the ashes, the wind came up and blew the ashes back in their faces. They were all spitting and coughing. It was supposed to be funny, but it shows the danger of desecration when people take it on themselves to dispose of human remains.

Hope this helps,
Paul

Okay, thanks. The only thing is that being eating by worms and bugs, etc, (the things that natually happen when you bury a corpse) could be seen as desecration too, could they not? My understanding of the desire to be scattered is a desire to return to nature “one the wind” as it were, instead of with the bugs, dirt and worms. Again, just my thoughts.

 

[PaulDupre]

Okay, thanks. The only thing is that being eating by worms and bugs, etc, (the things that natually happen when you bury a corpse) could be seen as desecration too, could they not? My understanding of the desire to be scattered is a desire to return to nature “one the wind” as it were, instead of with the bugs, dirt and worms. Again, just my thoughts.

Being eaten by worms, etc is the natural process and is not considered desecration. Desecration can only be done by human beings. The canon law against scattering is meant to protect the living human beings from the sin of desecration, not the late person’s remains.

Paul

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

As I understand it, cremation is acceptable to the Church. However, are there rules that apply to the distribution of the ashes? Aside from the typical distribution over water or in the sky, there are new ideas for distribution.

Specifically, would the method shown at hourglassurn.com be acceptable to the Catholic Church?

Yes, there are prohibitionsto scattering ashes. They may be buried at sea, in a sealed container, they mey be launched into space even as long as they are all together in a sealed container.

They may not be divided or scattered in any way.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Any idea why not? My guess is that the scattering issue has something to do with the resurrection of the body - that it would make it difficult for God - but this makes no sense to me as God is capable of all things. We scattered my dad’s ashes as he requested. As to why you couldn’t keep them at home, I’ve no idea. That is what we did with my brother and what I’m planning to do when my mom dies. I should add that no one in my family is Catholic now that I’ve left the Church, so I’m just curious and offering my humble thoughts.

The body after Baptism is a “temple of the Holy Spirit” and is a Holy thing and is to be treated as such. We bury sacramentals when they are no longer of use. Same with the human body. You would not cut it up and distribute it around, or keep it at home in the livingroom next to the fireplace?