As a Catholic may I be cremated?
YES. In May, 1963, the Vatican's Holy Office (now the Congregation for
the Doctrine of Faith) lifted the prohibition forbidding Catholics to
choose cremation. This permission was incorporated into the revised
Code of Canon law of 1983 (Canon #1176), as a well as into the Order
of Christian Funerals. It then became standard practice to celebrate
the funeral liturgies with the body and then take the body to the crematorium.
Most recently the bishops of the United States and the Holy See have
authorized the celebration of a Catholic funeral liturgy with the cremated
remains when the body is cremated before the funeral.
Do I need to ask permission to be cremated?
No, but it is a good idea to discuss your reasons with your pastor or
other parish minister.
When should cremation take place?
The Church strongly prefers that cremation take place after the
full funeral liturgy with the body. The presence of the body most clearly
brings to mind the life and death of the person and better expresses
the values that the Church affirms in its rites.
This is the body once washed in Baptism, anointed with the oil of
salvation, and fed with the Bread of Life. This is the body whose hands
clothed the poor and embraced the sorrowing…Thus, the Church's
reverence and care for the body grows out of the reverence and concern
for the person whom the Church now commands to the care of God...
However, when circumstances prevent the presence of the body at
the funeral liturgy...it is appropriate that the cremated remains of
the body be present for the full course of Funeral Liturgy, and the
Rite of Committal. The funeral liturgy should always be celebrated in
a church.
(Reflections on the body, Cremation, and Catholic Funeral Rites,
Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy)
Is it necessary to embalm?
When cremation follows the funeral liturgy, embalming is usually necessary.
When cremation is to follow soon after death, embalming is not necessary.
Each state has its own regulations in this matter, but generally the
rule is that a deceased human body that is not buried or cremated within
24 or 48 hours is to be embalmed or refrigerated. However, simple embalming
and the use of a cremation casket need not involve excessive costs.
Is it necessary to purchase a casket?
No, it is not necessary to purchase a casket for cremation. The only
thing required is a simple container in which the body can be transported
and placed in the cremation chamber.
If you choose to have the body present for Mass, with cremation to
follow, rental is an option. Many funeral directors offer regular caskets
for rent, as well as the special cremation or shell caskets which you
may purchase.
What is the proper container for cremated remains?
Appropriate, worthy containers (not necessarily expensive) such
as a classic urn are proper for the cremated remains. At the present
time the U.S. Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy had determined only
what is not a proper container. Although jewelry, dishes, statuary and
space capsules are examples of designer containers now being offered,
they are unacceptable to Catholic funeral practices. It is also unacceptable
to have cremated remains made into jewelry, dishes and the like.
How are cremated remains transported?
Transportation of cremated remains is a matter of personal choice. Individuals
personally carrying a deceased person's ashes with often have the added
responsibility of packing and transporting the urn. Using the principle
of respect for the body, you may wrap the container of cremated remains
with the possibility of sending it as accompanying baggage or take it
along as carry-on luggage. Ask the airline office or the state Department
of public Health for specific information about your region of travel
before preparing the cremated remains for transport by air. Where no
legal regulations exist regarding transport of cremated remains in a
standard shipping container by U.S. Mail, UPS or other common carriers.
Must cremated remains be buried/entombed?
YES. Respectful final disposition of cremated remains involves interment
or entombment. Burial options include a family grave in a cemetery marked
with a traditional memorial stone or an urn garden, a special section
in a cemetery will small, pre-dug graves for urns.
What is a columbarium?
A common practice is the entombment of the cremated remains in a columbarium.
It is an arrangement of niches, either in a mausoleum, a room or wall
into which an urn or other worthy vessel is placed for permanent memorial.
May I scatter the ashes?
NO. 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. (Order of Christian Funerals, Appendix II
#417) Burial at sea of cremated remains differs from scattering. An
appropriate and worthy container, heavy enough to be sent to its final
resting place, may be dropped into the sea. (See Order of Christian
Funerals, #406.4) Please consult your local government for environmental
regulations.
May anything be added to cremated remains such as cremated remains
of other persons, pets, and other objects?
The principle of respect for the cremated remains of a deceased
Christian embraces the deeper belief in the individuality of each baptized
person before God. Throughout history, the mingling of remains has never
been an acceptance practice, except in extraordinary circumstances.
Who decides if I am cremated?
In most cases you make the decision to be cremated. However, your survivors
may decide to have you cremated, generally due to special circumstances,
but rarely against will.
How do I make my wishes known?
If you desire that your body be cremated you can make those wishes known
in your will and in documents designed to help plan and prepare your
funeral.
Must I honor my parent's or spouse's wish to cremate them?
Out of respect for loved ones, you want to do all you can to carry out
the wishes of the deceased concerning funeral services provided they
are keeping with Church practice. Yet, you must always keep in mid the
therapeutic value to the family celebrating the full funeral liturgy
with the body present. This may significantly outweigh your reasons
for cremation before funeral liturgy.
What funeral rites are celebrated when a person is cremated?
The Church strongly prefers that cremation take place after the
full funeral liturgy with the body. However, when this is not possible,
all the usual rites which are celebrated with a body present may also
be celebrated in the presence of a cremated remains. In an appendix
to the Order of Christian Funerals, the United States bishops have included
prayers to be used when the cremated remains of a loved one are present
in church. (Order of Christian Funerals, Appendix II#432-438)
The following rituals may be celebrated:
- Prayers after death
- Gathering in the Presence of the Body
- Vigil for the Deceased
- Funeral Mass or Funeral Liturgy Outside Mass
- Rite of Committal
During the liturgies, the cremated remains are treated with the same
dignity and respect as the body.
Prayers After Death
This ritual is used immediately after death. The presence of the
minister, the readings, and the prayers can be great comfort to the
family. (Order of Christian Funerals, #101-108)
Gathering in the Presence of the Body
This ritual can also be of great comfort to the family members and
friends. It allows for a time of simple prayer and shared silence. (Order
of Christian Funerals, #109-118)
Vigil for the Deceased
If cremation has already taken place, friends and family may still
gather to pry. While it has been a tradition to pray rosary on some
regions, the Vigil of the Deceased is a Liturgy of the Word service,
which includes prayer for the deceased and recognition of his/her Christian
life. (Order of Christian Funerals, #57-97)
Funeral Mass
Should I schedule a funeral Mass before or after cremation?
The Church strongly prefers cremation after the Funeral Mass. However,
if it is possible for the body to be present at the Funeral Mass, an
indult has been granted by the Holy See which provides for the celebration
of the Mass with the cremated remains in church.
Do I need permission to have cremated remains in church (for the
funeral liturgy)?
The indult granting the diocesan bishops of the United States authority
to permit a funeral liturgy in the presence of cremated remains (in
place of the body) requires two things. First, the diocesan bishop must
authorize this practice for his diocese. Second, each individual case
requires permission. Your pastor will need to seek permission for you.
What length of time is there between death, cremation and funeral
Mass?
The answer to this question depends on the various factors, just as
in the case of funerals with the body. The place of death, the location
of the crematory, scheduling a time for cremation, the schedule at the
parish church, and other circumstances impact the timing. Once all arrangements
have been made, you should generally allow at least one day between
death and the celebration of the funeral liturgy.
What happens at the funeral Mass with cremated remains?
A journey which began at baptism comes to a conclusion as we enter into
eternal life. Significant attention should be given to the primary symbols
of the Catholic funeral liturgy, as stated in the Order of Christian
Funerals and in commentaries. The paschal candle and sprinkling with
holy water are primary symbols of baptism and should be used during
the funeral Mass. However, the pall is not used. Photos and other mementos
may be used at the vigil, but are not appropriate for the Mass. During
the Mass, the cremated remains should be treated with the same dignity
and respect as the body. They are to be sealed in a worthy vessel. They
may be carried in procession and/or placed in table where a coffin normally
would be with the Easter candle nearby.
Rite of Committal
The body is always laid to rest with solemnity and dignity. So too,
the Order of Christian Funerals provides for the interment of cremated
remains. (Order of Christian Funerals, Appendix II #438)
Excerpts from Reflections on the Body, Cremation,
and Catholic Funeral Rites ©1997 United States Catholic Conference,
Inc. (USCC);Order of Christian Funerals, Appendix II ©1997
USCC. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
©1999 Fderation of Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
For additional copies please contact the IFDLC NATIONAL OFFICE.
VOICE 202.635.6990; FAX202.529.2452; WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.FDLC.ORG.
