Scattering of Ashes

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ally

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I wonder if the Catholic church will ever approve the “scattering of ashes”. I would love to have my cremated ashes scattered into a river of life that would eventually go into the sea. Does that sound too “new age”?
 
I didn’t realize it was not allowed. That is how modern burial at sea is conducted, by scattering of ashes. Our submarine had done 3 during the time I was there.
 
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ally:
I wonder if the Catholic church will ever approve the “scattering of ashes”. I would love to have my cremated ashes scattered into a river of life that would eventually go into the sea. Does that sound too “new age”?
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It sounds VERY new age.

The only “river of life” is the Baptismal font, and the pastor probably doesn’t want it gunked up with your ashes.

Catholic cemetaries are consecrated ground; that’s where your ashes belong.
 
I believe the church has nothing against cremation, but the ashes and urn have to be buried in a cemetary, and not scattered over a field or river somewhere.
 
Paul W:
It sounds VERY new age.
Thanks for confirming my concern. When my daughter went to Berkeley during the late 80’s she converted me to some of her New Age ways. About 6 years ago I “reverted” back to Orthodox Catholicism but it has been hard to give up some of the poetic symbolism…such as the “river of life”. You see, my daughter is now a follower of the former priest Matthew Fox who specializes in New Age ceremonies …dancing, drums, chants, etc. I try not to be too judgemental of her but I pray she will some day also be a revert.
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Lakeside:
Lots of opinions, but is there a definitive position?
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Yes. As has already been said, although the Church now permits cremation (which for many years was prohibited due to the pagan nature of the practice) the Cremins must be placed in an appropriate urn and buried intact in consecrated ground, being treated with the same sort of respect for the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit as is shown to a body. You may not have your ashes scattered, nor may your ashes be divided among your survivors (some people want to do that!)
 
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