Funerals — St. Stephen the First Martyr

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 as well as into the Order of Christian Funerals. It then became standard practice to celebrate the funeral liturgies with the body and 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.

Below are some answers to common questions about cremation.

Q. Can I scatter the ashes? May I keep the ashes on my mantle?

A. No. The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or over 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. 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.

Q. May anything be added to cremated remains such as cremated remains of other persons, pets, and other objects?

A. No. 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 accepted practice, except in extraordinary circumstances.

When should cremation take place?

A. 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. However, in some circumstances it may not be possible to have the body present. In those situations, a full funeral liturgy may be conducted with the cremated remains present.

How do I make my wishes known?

A. If you desire your body to be cremated you can make those wishes known in your will and in documents designed to help plan and prepare your funeral.

Q. Must I honor my parent’s or spouse’s wish to cremate them?

A. Out of respect for loved ones, you will want to do all you can to carry out the wishes of the deceased concerning funeral services provided they are in keeping with Church practice. Yet, you must always keep in mind the therapeutic value to the family celebrating the full funeral liturgy with the body present.

Q. What is the proper container for cremated remains?

A. Appropriate, worthy containers, such as a classic urn, are proper for the cremated remains. At the present time, the U.S. Bishop’s Committee on the Liturgy has 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 in Catholic funeral practices. It is also unacceptable to have cremated remains made into jewelry, dishes, and the like.

Q. If I choose cremation, is it necessary to call a funeral home?

A. No. A funeral home can be used since they do offer cremation services or a cremation company can be used in place of a funeral home but may not offer as many services as a funeral home. This is a personal choice.

Q. Must cremated remains be buried/inurned?

A. Yes. Respectful final disposition of cremated remains involves inurnment or entombment. Burial options include a family grave in a cemetery with small, pre-dug graves for urns. Another choice is to be interred in a columbarium.

Q. How are cremated remains transported?

A. Transportation of cremated remains is a matter of personal choice. Individuals personally carrying a deceased person’s ashes will often have the added responsibility of packing and transporting the urn. Using the principle of respect for the body, you may wrap and 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’s 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, most cremationists ship cremated remains in a standard shipping container by U.S. Mail, UPS or other common carrier.