Ask Deacon Mike

A parishioner recently sent me this question:

My husband and I are working on our living wills and we have been talking about final arrangements once we die. We just need some clarification on what the Catholic Church says about cremation. I know that the Church allows cremation. However, can the cremated remains be in the church during the funeral or does cremation take place after the funeral? We are thinking that we would want a viewing before cremation. Should we also have the funeral Mass before cremation?

I imagine that a lot of people wonder about the appropriateness of cremation and the regulations concerning the liturgies when the option of cremation is exercised. Cremation was always forbidden by the Church for several reasons: 1) Jesus was buried after His crucifixion. 2) God created us in His image and likeness. Therefore the body should be returned to the earth after death. 3) Christians buried their dead out of respect for the body (like their Jewish predecessors) and in anticipation of the resurrection of the dead.

In 1963 the Church allowed cremation in cases of necessity but prohibited it for “any one who was making a stand against the faith”. Cannon Law (the laws that govern the Church) was changed in 1983 by Pope John Paul II to reflect this change. Cannon Law states: “The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the dead be observed; it does not, however, forbid cremation unless it has been chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching.” In other words, if a person just wants to be cremated as a sign of the finality of their existence, cremation would be prohibited.

At this point I would like to share with you portion of an article I picked up by Fr. William Saunders, a priest of the Diocese of Arlington, VA. Fr. Saunders gives a very good and detailed response to the question of being cremated and the funeral regulations that surround it.

Until recently, the cremated remains (cremains) could not be present at the funeral Mass. On March 21, 1997 the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments granted and indult authorizing each local bishop to set a policy regarding the presence of cremains for the funeral Mass. The Sacred Congregation emphasized that the cremains must be treated with respect and must be interred after the funeral Mass.

Cremation is permitted in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. There are special prayers in the funeral rite that are used when the cremated body is present at the funeral Mass. Again, there is an emphasis that the cremains be buried following the funeral. It is forbidden to keep the ashes in one’s home instead of burying them.

I hope that you find this information beneficial if you are anticipating cremation. As always I invite your questions on matters of sacraments, Church teaching or anything that involves our participation in our Catholic faith. You can contact me by e-mail at deaconmikefranks@comcast.net or you can leave an anonymous note in the collection basket or at the rectory office.

As we approach the halfway point of Lent I hope that you will make plans to be with us as we celebrate Holy Week and the Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. Don’t let the lengthiness of these Masses and services stop you from coming. I can assure you that to experience these celebrations will deeply move you and greatly enhance your faith. God bless you and I love you all. Deacon Mike Franks.