Memorial Service vs. Mass of Christian Burial

[lukefan]

I went to a Catholic church for a “Memorial Service” - there was no Mass. The deceased was cremated. I’ve never seen this before so I along with others were confused. Is this permissable?

The question also came up about the ashes and what to do with them. Don’t they still have to be buried or placed in an masoleum (sp?)?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I went to a Catholic church for a “Memorial Service” - there was no Mass. The deceased was cremated. I’ve never seen this before so I along with others were confused. Is this permissable?

The question also came up about the ashes and what to do with them. Don’t they still have to be buried or placed in an masoleum (sp?)?

Yes the ashes must be treated just like the body would have been. They must be buried or placed in a wall vault. The Church does not prohibit a Memorial Mass. Some diocese are now also allowing a Funeral Mass with the ashes present instead of the body and casket. This is due to the cost of a casket which in some places are now being rented for upwards of $1500.00. Which took advantage of the fact that the Church used to require the body to be persent in the church for funeral rites. Certain specific rites are not used like the Blessing of the Body, when there is no body present.

 

[puzzleannie]

there is no requirement for a Mass of Christian Burial even when the body is present. Since here deacons take most of the funerals, obviously there is a funeral service, not a Mass. A memorial service takes place when the body has already been cremated or buried (usually elsewhere) and the remains are not present, and it can be a Mass, but it is not a Mass of Christian Burial and none of the specific funeral rites and blessings are done.