I have some background in the death care field, as I’ve mentioned before. I am in NO way arguing for the propriety of cremation, but some statements in the thread I do not believe to be accurate, from my reading and experience.
Though burial or entombment has always been the prevailing practice of Catholics (indeed until very recently of most people, regardless of their religious persuasions) the Church did not prohibit the practice of cremation until the 19th century, and this prohibition was enshrined in the 1910 Code of Canon Law. The specific prohibition of cremation (which was VERY rare, somewhat difficult to procure, and could be more expensive than burial at the time) came about because certain sects in Europe, often with Masonic connections, began to practice cremation to show their disbelief in the resurrection of the dead and other Catholic doctrines.
In spite of the canonical prohibition the Church did on rare occasion grant indults to permit cremation. One situation was in certain areas of Asia where land burial was difficult and incredible expensive because of population density and where cremation was the prevailing cultural practice and its use was unconnected to opposition to Catholic doctrine. I am positive of this as I’ve read it in reliable sources pre VII, but I do not have time to research the matter to provide citations. In any event such indults were rare.
The 1983 Code of Canon Law, and I realize that many here do not in good faith recognize its validity, removed the explicit prohibition against cremation, as long as it is not
chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine, which is not dissimilar to earlier Catholic understanding. Further, the Church expresses Her preference for traditional whole body burial or entombment, as stated in Canon 1176, cited in other posts. Canon 1184 states
those who chose the cremation of their bodies for reasons contrary to Christian faith ~ must be deprived of ecclesiastical funerals.
Current liturgical directives state the Church’s preference that the liturgical rites (Vigil and Mass) be performed
prior to cremation, and that the remains be committed to a consecrated space. I know
Novus Ordo priests who refuse to allow a funeral Mass with the urn ~ they will do a committal service only and will say a memorial Mass afterwards (usually one of the regular daily Masses). I know priests who will refuse a church funeral if the remains are not going to be committed to a consecrated space.
A good and concise background article from the Catholic Encyclopedia:
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04481c.htmThe Jєωs were always the ones who were pro-cremation. They scoff at the Last Judgement by spreading their ashes.
Actually, the Jєωs (yes, even the ones today) are more ardently opposed to cremation than Catholics traditionally have been. Some very orthodox Jєωs are even opposed to embalming, and the traditional Jєωιѕн custom is that burial should take place within 24 hours after death. I do grant that some “secular Jєωs” and even the liberal Reformed Jєωs are becoming more open to cremation, just as society is in general. This is a relatively recent trend, and still a minority position.
What is the issue about cremation ?- Spreading the ashes ?
From my experience cremation is chosen mainly because it costs less than a regular burial.
From the Code of Canon Law;
1176 §3. The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the deceased be observed; nevertheless, the Church does not prohibit cremation unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine.
I have more experience then you do, spreading ashes is prohibited. In the case of cremation ashes must be interred. It is not cheap to inter ashes in a Catholic cemetery either- 3000-5000 dollars.
A traditional funeral will cost the same, whether followed by burial or cremation. There
can be a savings with cremation as cremation caskets are generally less expensive than burial caskets (some funeral homes will permit you to purchase a cremation casket for ground burial, some wont). The savings with cremation comes at the cemetery, as the cost of an urn and a columbarium niche can be significantly less than a ground burial plot, vault, and marker, or the cost of mausoleum entombment. Also, the cemetery’s “service fee” (opening and closing) will be (or should be) significantly less for an urn placement, as it involves much less work for them than a burial.
Costs will vary depending on the area and between cemeteries in the same area. At Holy Cross cemetery in Spokane, WA a burial plot is currently $2,000 (mausoleum crypts start at about $4k I believe), the service fee is around $800.00. A basic concrete grave liner is around $500, vaults begin at $900 and on up to $12,000 (solid bronze). A flush with the ground granite marker will start at about $400. While one can spend A LOT on the memorialization of cremated remains, generally inurnment of cremated remains will be less expensive than burial or entombment of a casket.
Though costs vary widely Chicago Catholic Cemeteries publish their prices on line, to give an idea:
http://www.catholiccemeterieschicago.org/pricing.phpBy the way, my burial plot at Holy Cross in Spokane was purchased in 1999 for $765.00 ($1.235 less than today's price), so it pays to plan ahead, as this will result in considerable savings.
Topic: relatives (Read 4793 times)