In the past, the Catholic Church prohibited individuals from being cremated. The theory behind not being cremated was that the body was going to be resurrected, and the body was not whole if it was cremated. This attitude carried on for centuries until the Catholic Church removed this ban in 1963. For many older Catholics, cremation is still something they aren't always sure about when it comes to their own remains. Cremation is barely discussed in the Bible, but it has never been considered a sin. For those with limited income, cremation is an option to keep funeral costs down.
Changes In Living Situations
For some families who decide to live in the south during the winter months, cremation makes more sense if a loved one wants to be buried back in the north but dies during the winter. It's easier and less expensive to transport cremated remains. It's a practical solution to what could be a complicated problem. Catholic funerals prefer that the body be at the ceremony, but if the body is already cremated, this is still acceptable. The cremated remains must be at the funeral and treated with the same dignity and respect as if there was a body.
Burying the Ashes of a Catholic
While some people are creative about where they have their ashes spread, the ashes of a deceased Catholic are supposed to be interred at a Catholic cemetery according to the religion. The remains should not be sitting on a mantle or spread at the ocean if the person was a practicing Catholic and wanted a traditional Catholic funeral. While cremation is legal in the Catholic church, how the ashes are treated is similar to how bodies are.
Cremation Is Slowly Becoming More Popular
Cremation is less expensive and makes it much easier to handle a loved one's remains. As the Catholic church continues to teach about the resurrection and eternal life being compatible with cremation, more people are choosing this method of dealing with human remains. With burial space limited in some areas, this is one way for people to be interred in a cemetery without needing an entire plot.
Cremation is legal within the Catholic church, and many people are now choosing cremation over traditional burials. It's convenient, less expensive, and makes it easier to travel with the body if travel is necessary for one to be buried at their home church.
For more information, contact a company like Neptune Society today.
