Dividing the ashes after cremation & proper placement of urn

[pvondohlen]

I have a friend who recently died. The family wants to have his body cremated and divide the ashes amongst them. I need help on the proper distribution of the ashes and the proper urns and placement of them. Can you help with some sound Catholic theology?

Thank you,

Patrick

 

[4HisChurch]

pvondohlen:

I have a friend who recently died. The family wants to have his body cremated and divide the ashes amongst them. I need help on the proper distribution of the ashes and the proper urns and placement of them. Can you help with some sound Catholic theology?

Thank you,

Patrick

My understanding is that you have to treat cremated remains the same as you would a body. I beleive that you have to either bury them or have them put in a crypt or something similar. I know they are not allowed to be scattererd, but I don’t know specifically about dividing them between survivors. I also don’t know for sure if cremated remains are allowed to be “kept” in someone’s home or not.

I’ll also be interested in knowing a more complete answer.

 

[OhioBob]

From the Order of Christian Funerals:

417 The cremated remains of a body should be treated with the same respect given to the human body from which they come. 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. The cremated remains should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium. 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… (emphasis added)

The text of the section of the OCF dealing with cremation can be found HERE