6.                  THE QUESTION WAS: What is the Church’s position on cremation?

 

A.     It’s always sinful.

B. Cremated remains should be buried, not scattered over the sea.

 

The ANSWER IS: B…. Cremated remains should be buried in a worthy vessel.

 

The Church has always encouraged BURIAL of the whole body as the way of giving greatest respect to our bodies, which were anointed in Baptism, and which served as temples of the Holy Spirit.

 

But if cremation must be chosen for financial reasons, the funeral should be held while the body is still whole, and the remains should be buried in one place to confirm our belief that our bodies will be raised whole when they are resurrected. The remains must be treated with reverence. A marker should be placed above the buried remains.

 

More Info on Cremation and Burial

http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac1097.asp (Cremation: New Option for Catholics)

http://www.seaservices.com/catholic.htm (Catholic Guidelines)

http://www.uscatholic.org/2004/03/gya0403.htm (quick summary of cremation view)

 

 

 

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