Dear Folks,

Here in the month of November, it struck me as a good time to address a question that I often receive about cremation.

Is it permissible? In a simple word yes, with a caveat that it must not be chosen as a sign of denial of the Resurrection. The recent history of cremation is that in the 1917 code of canon law [Canon Law = Catholic Church law], cremation was expressly forbidden for Catholics.

However, as interest in cremation grew in the western world, a concession was granted in 1963 which was incorporated into the 1983 (and still current) code of canon law. Canon 1176 reads: “The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the deceased be observed; nevertheless, the Church does not prohibit cremation unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine.”

Because we firmly believe that our bodies will one day share in the resurrection of Our Lord, we must treat them with the respect, reverence, and due care. Yes, at the final resurrection, God will resurrect the bodies of everyone who has ever lived and died, whether they were cremated or not, whether any mortal remains still exist or even if every trace of their remains has disappeared.

One very important element is that cremated remains deserve the same respect, reverence, and due care as bodies which are not cremated. This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, appropriate placement and transport, and given final disposition in a earthen tomb, mausoleum, columbarium or common grave in a cemetery. “The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or in keeping cremated remains in the home of a friend or relative of the deceased are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires.”(Liturgical Norms on Cremation, 417).

In local cemeteries, we do have people whose cremated remains are buried in graves. Additionally, because of the requests, cemeteries have built columbaria for those who wish to exercise this option. Yes, the Church does express a strong preference for the burial of the body rather than cremation. A funeral Mass with a full coffin has an impact which is lessened by cremation because the urn is a step removed from the size, shape and impact of the body being present. It most clearly brings to mind the life and death of the beloved one, and clearly expresses the loss experienced by every friend, relative, and loved one of the deceased.

While Holy Mother Church expresses this strong preference she also wishes to assist her children who chose the option of cremation for a variety of reasons. Hence the insistence on reverent treatment and burial of cremated remains. All of the faithful benefit from the witness to our faith in the resurrection and the beautiful ability to visit the graves of our loved ones.

May each of us, immersed in the mysteries of eternal life with Jesus in our resurrected bodies, take great hope that this is our future!

pax,

Very Reverend John P. Mosimann