How Does the Catholic Church View Cremation?

sarah.humphrey • April 25, 2022

In the Catholic Church, funeral rites are an essential part of sending a person on after their passing. This involves deep reverence of the body, and because of this, it’s often a concern for members of the Catholic Church that are considering cremation services near Bixby, OK. However, there is no need to worry. The Catholic Church has recognized that in some cases, cremation is a necessity. They have made amends to their longstanding policies, which now allow for cremation services to be a part of the traditional funeral rites. 

Traditionally, the body must be present during the Funeral Liturgy, with cremation to immediately follow. If necessary, however, the cremated remains may be present instead. They should be placed in the same place as the casket would have been and held in the same reverence. They may be brought in with an entrance procession, or they may be placed at the front of the church prior to the Funeral Liturgy. If this is the case, the disposition of the remains would follow immediately after the Funeral Liturgy. 

When it comes to the disposition of the cremated remains, the Catholic Church has a clear direction. Ashes must either undergo a traditional in-ground burial in a Catholic cemetery, or they may be interred at either a columbarium niche, mausoleum, or crypt. All of these options provide a permanent place of rest, as well as permanent memorialization. This allows for family and friends to have a place to visit and pray, now and for generations into the future. 

When it comes to scattering ashes or storing cremated remains in your home, the Catholic Church does not allow for this. According to their official word, “The scattering of remains, an irreversible process, or permanently placing a loved one’s urn in the home of a relative, is not considered to be in harmony with the reverence that the Catholic Church requires. The exception would be a burial at sea, in which a worthy vessel containing a complete set of remains is placed at sea in a formal rite of the committal ceremony.” So, many of the options that are available for memorialization after cremation are not considered acceptable within the Catholic Church. 

Taking these guidelines into consideration, you must also speak with your local clergy to determine the right path forward. They will be able to make the necessary slight changes to the Liturgy that allows for cremation. They will also help you decide which path is right to take when it comes to deciding whether cremation should take place before or after the Funeral Liturgy. When you speak with your provider of cremation services near Bixby, OK, they can also help you determine your path forward. You will need to decide where and how you want your loved one’s remains to be handled, whether they will be buried or interred above-ground at a Catholic cemetery. If a burial at sea is the proper disposition for your loved one, these arrangements can be made as well. Taking these things into consideration, you can have peace of mind that your loved one will be in caring and capable hands.

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