Quandary! Cremation?

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pianistclare said:
How does one cremate “against” the Christian faith???
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If someone were to say “I must have my body cremated because otherwise my soul will never leave and will in the tomb along with the body.” That would be an example.

Another one would be if someone said that the body is just trash to be discarded after death.

Or “I have be cremated because that’s the only way my soul can move into a new body.”

Make sense now?
 
stuartbrianhenlis said:
I’m hoping someone here can give me some serious feedback about a potential situation that I may be faced with.

I have no money for a funeral and don’t have a cemetery plot. My only relative is in a worse financial position than I’m in, so, cremation may have to be the only viable option available to dispose of my remains. That is if I can afford a cremation.

This being the case, does anyone know the Church’s current stance on cremation?

Stuart
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Here’s something else to consider.

Cemetery plots are typically sold in even numbers.

At my parish cemetery, we have quite a few “singles” from over the decades (before someone finally realized that was a bad idea). It might be worthwhile to ask if your parish has any such available.

Yes, cremation is generally less expensive. However that’s not always the case. An expensive urn can cost more than a less expensive casket (and after all, why spend so much money on a box that will only be seen for a few hours then buried in the ground?). You can actually buy a casket online for a few hundred dollars. Federal law prohibits funeral directors from refusing to use them (although they don’t like it because they don’t get a commission for the sale)

The point is that full burial might not cost as much as you think at first if you do some research and pre-planning.
 
FrDavid96 said:
If someone were to say “I must have my body cremated because otherwise my soul will never leave and will in the tomb along with the body.” That would be an example.

Another one would be if someone said that the body is just trash to be discarded after death.

Or “I have be cremated because that’s the only way my soul can move into a new body.”

Make sense now?
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Another way would be to divide up the ashes between friends or relatives.
 
Not really.
Dead people seldom weigh in. Those are the people that don’t seek a Catholic (Christian) burial in the first place.
But ok.
 
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pianistclare said:
Not really.
Dead people seldom weigh in. Those are the people that don’t seek a Catholic (Christian) burial in the first place.
But ok.
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I would think you realize that I mean it’s the intention expressed by the person while still living.

Anyway, all I was doing was answering the question.
 
stuartbrianhenlis said:
I’m hoping someone here can give me some serious feedback about a potential situation that I may be faced with.

I have no money for a funeral and don’t have a cemetery plot. My only relative is in a worse financial position than I’m in, so, cremation may have to be the only viable option available to dispose of my remains. That is if I can afford a cremation.

This being the case, does anyone know the Church’s current stance on cremation?

Stuart
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Others have stated the Church’s current stance on cremation. But I wanted to share my experience with you so that whoever carries out your final wishes doesn’t make the same mistake.

My late father, a Catholic and a veteran of two wars, is said to have wanted to be cremated. Cannot verify that this is true since these wishes weren’t written down anywhere. Of course, he wanted it to be by Church protocol. Daddy couldn’t afford cremation or a funeral either. The state picked up the tab for it.

Anyway, my sister, in defiance of the Church’s stance and Daddy’s wishes, did not bury his ashes and would not allow the military funeral his written wishes had stated. The memorial service she arranged was held at Daddy’s parish. The ashes were, according to my sister, still being prepared so weren’t present.

Months later, she scattered his ashes in a cemetery which was against the rules of the cemetery as well as the Church’s rules. Ashes are not to be scattered. They are to be interred. So be sure whoever carries out your final wishes obeys all the laws and rules not only of the Catholic Church but of the place your remains are to be interred.

God bless you.
 
BoomBoom,

I’m not terminally ill, but I am 67. My concern is that if my POA?LW wishes cannot be carried out (organ harvest or body donation for medical research), because I don’t have money for a funeral, nor do I have any family to pay for one. Hence the cheapest way for me to handled.
 
I see. I only ask because I was going to suggest that rather than worrying about your remains (67 isn’t really that old) id worry about the fact that you’re apparently broke. Just struck me as odd, no offense meant.
 
Going directly to a crematory is cheaper than going through a funeral home for cremation. For example: $995 for cremation at a crematory. $3000 for cremation if going through a funeral home who would use a crematory anyway. Check with the county where you reside to see if they have some type of indigent assistance program. The county I reside in will contribute $500 to the crematory/funeral home of the family’s choosing if decedent meets the following requirements.
  1. Resident of that county
  2. Funeral home/crematory is in that county
  3. Didn’t own property (house, expensive vehicle)
  4. Didn’t have life insurance
 
Exactly! I like the idea of my loved ones or random visitors being able to sit down a little.
 
Would not the grave site become part of her estate and sold via the family? Just a thought.
 
I know this outside of the scope of the thread, but if you’re so broke that a simple burial is beyond what you can provide for, are you able to pick up some extra work? Assuming you’re not disabled or anything, this should be a (relatively) minor expense over the long term.

I’m not trying to pry into your financial situation, just wondering if you’re missing the bigger problem here.
 
Something to consider, if money is an issue and you don’t mind cremation, you might consider donating your body to medical research. Particularly, donating to a good medical program at a Catholic university. Our diocese has a special Mass said once a year in the cathedral for those who do this.
 
Thank you, Allegra!

I’ve just added that to my Medical Power of Attorney form. Hopefully my wishes will be carried out.
 
Dear Cajun,
The neighborhood counsel or city government have rules to keep property looking neat. Maybe they can send message to Granddaughter. It could inform her about empty houses falling into ruin. If she likes money, she may get responsible w property.
Lord, You know the situation. Heal the hurts. Guide the family to be thoughtful and responsible. In Jesus name
Tweedlealice
 
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