Topic:  Is it acceptable for a Catholic to be cremated?

Source of this posting: Moderator response

Date originally posted: April 11, 2003

Moderator who originally posted this source: Cathy Rusin

Question:   My question concerns the Churches teaching on Cremation. Is it acceptable for a Catholic? Thanks, Grizelda Nunn

Answer: 

Thank you for your question. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994) has only one sentence regarding cremation (paragraph 2301), “the Church permits cremation, provided that it does not demonstrate a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body”.

Since the Catechism’s publication, longer explanations have emerged to help us understand cremation as Catholic Christians, and to clarify what happens during the funeral rites when the body has been or will be cremated. Let me refer you to the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops website for a thorough article on cremation.
http://www.usccb.org/education/catechetics/cremation.htm

I know that in our Diocese, several parishes are now including columbariums (walls/vaults to intern ashes) on their grounds and although the presence of a body at the funeral is preferred, liturgical provisions have been made for the presence of the cremated remains in the church. So yes, cremation is an acceptable option for a Catholic.

Peace,
Cathy Rusin