Over the past few years, so many are choosing cremation upon the death of a loved one. There are many misconceptions about cremation even though it has been approved by the Catholic Church for years now. I thought it might be a good idea to talk about it to clear up some of those misunderstandings or misconceptions.

Cremation has been an acceptable alternative to ground burial or entombment for Catholics since 1963. The present code of Canon Law obviously still permits, in fact, still recommends the custom of burying the bodies of the dead; however, it does not forbid cremation at all unless it has been chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching, such as to deny the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead.

The Church teaches that the cremated remains of a body should be treated with the same respect given to the corporeal remains of a human body. This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, the care and attention to appropriate placement and transport, and the final disposition (Order of Christian Funerals, #416). While it is recommended that cremation take place after the funeral liturgy, it is now permitted to celebrate the funeral liturgy in the presence of the cremated remains (1997 appendix to the Order of Christian Funerals, #416).

In recent years, some have used the term “cremains” to refer to the cremated remains. We encourage people to show due respect by always using the term “cremated remains of the body” or “cremated remains.” In this way, even our words show respect.

Cremated remains of the body should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium (a vault with niches for cremation urns). They are NOT to be scattered to the wind or thrown into a body of water. Nor are they to be permanently placed in an urn on the mantel of your home or some other location in your home or office or yard or garden. In addition, they are NOT permitted to be separated and divided up and shared with members of the family or loved ones.

God the Creator made Adam and Eve out of the dust of the earth, breathing into each of them divine fire, the spark of life which we call the soul. It is fitting, then, when one of our loved ones has died, that we return the body to God through committing it to the ground or to the fire, or, in rare cases to the sea (a sailor’s funeral at sea). And we mark this momentous act with a rite, the third and last part of the Order of Christian Funerals, the rite of committal. It is a brief and poignant gesture whereby we “give back” this one whom we have loved so much, in sure hope that one day again we will be together, with all the angels and saints in the city of God.

The rite of committal is in some ways a continuation and conclusion to the funeral liturgy. We carry the body from the church to the grave or the ashes from the crematory to the grave. The Order of Christian Funerals says plainly, “Whenever possible, the rite of committal is to be celebrated at the place of committal, that is, beside the open grave or place of interment, rather than at a cemetery chapel.”

It used to be thought that seeing the open grave would be too traumatic, or that having loved ones actually lower the body into the grave or even witness it would scar them for life. Interestingly enough, death is traumatic and the death of a loved one does scar us for life. But the very human and sacred act of committing the body to the earth or fire or the sea actually helps us negotiate that trauma and live through that pain that scars. Funeral directors may discourage you. Cemeteries may charge you extra. But go to the grave! Accompany the body to the cemetery. Take the ashes to the cemetery/mausoleum or columbarium. It’s the Christian thing to do.

The rite of committal begins with an invitation to prayer, a kind of reassembling after the procession. A short verse from scripture is proclaimed. A prayer is said over the place of committal. Some final intercessions for the loved one and the mourners are said, summed up with the Lord’s Prayer. This is a significant moment – the last time we will say the prayer that Christ taught us over the body. A concluding prayer is said and a blessing over the people. Singing can – and should – be a part of this.

This is the basic structure. To it, the Order of Christian Funerals allows us to add customs from our culture: gestures of farewell, for example, like sprinkling earth on the coffin or laying a hand on it one last time before it is lowered in the earth or given over to fire or water.

We welcomed our new shepherd, Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski, to Saint Peter this weekend. This was his first visit to our parish and it was great to have him in our midst…even during these Covid times. We look forward to the day when we will be able to visit with him mask-free and a full church and face to face conversations. Have a great week everyone! I’ll see you in church or on livestream.