if you are catholic, is it a sin to cremate your body when you die?

Answer 1

It depends.

Catholics along with most Christians believe in the eventual resurrection of our bodies.

Cremation has been looked at as a denial of this doctrine but modern teaching recognizes that God is all powerful and cremation is not really an issue to our bodily resurrections.

The policy of the Catholic Church is: "While the Church recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the dead be observed, cremation is permitted as long as it had not been chosen for reasons contrary to Church teaching.

Cremated remains are to be treated with the same respect given to the remains of a human body, and should be buried or entombed. The scattering of cremated remains on the sea or on the ground, or keeping them in the home, is not the reverent final disposition that the Church requires.

An interesting sidelight: Scientist says cremation contributes to global warming: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070418/lf_afp/lifestylewarmingdeath_070418143046

For more information, see the Order of Christian Funerals: http://policy.archchicago.org/policies/bk4num700.pdf#search='Order%20of%20Christian%20Funerals'

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

It used to be considered a sin, because the act of cremation was at one time a deliberate statement of disbelief in the resurrection of the body.

However, in recent years, there have been some situations that have changed this regulation. Epidemics and pandemics typically require cremation to prevent the spread of disease, and so this is allowed. Also, in places like Hawaii where landspace is limited, governments have required cremation, and thus the Church in those areas have complied.

In other words, if a person is getting cremated for an acceptable reason, it's okay. If the person is getting cremated to protest the concept of resurrection, it's not.

If a person is cremated, the dispersement of ashes is not permitted for Catholics. The ashes must be properly interred.

Answer 3

It used to be. One used to go to hell for that. Now it's not. In fact, cremation is a big money maker for European Catholic cemeteries today. As Liberace said, they're laughing all the way to the bank. In some areas, more Catholics are cremated than buried the traditional way in funeral caskets.
That's one of those switches in dogma made by the European Catholic Church which asserts it never changes anything. A few years ago it was common to see lots of flowers in some cemeteries; now some cemeteries (not all) have rules where flowers are not allowed because it's easier to mow the grass without the flowers on the graves.

Progress is our most important product.

- Motto - European Catholic Churches...or is that the motto of some other corporation?

Answer 4

No, cremation is not a sin. The Church simply asks that you properly bury the remains in a cemetary, and not spread the ashes over the ocean or keep them in your house, out of respect for the body.

Answer 5

I believe it is not. God in his all powerful mercy and love will resurrect us whether we are cremated or not. particularly ywhen he knows that cremation was not an act of defiance or disobedience. However, I disagree in that having the cremated remains in an urn at home should not be sinful. It is done to care for the urn and out of love and a desire to stay closer to the loved one.

Answer 6

As far as my Catholic upbringing serves me right it is not a 'sin' to be cremated its just Catholics prefer to be buried because being burnt by flames in cremation is too reminiscent of the fires of Hell.

Answer 7

I agree with pgd, it used to be.
You couldn't be resurrected if you were cremated.
Therefore Catholics were against it
As for it being a sin I can't remember if it was a sin or just against Catholic Laws
It's been a long time ago since I was a Catholic.

Answer 8

No, I learned about it in theology. They taught us that it was not a sin and that people do it now because they move around so much that if buried the person may never be visited. But as he said as long as it is done with respect.

Answer 9

Not being Catholic I can't say for sure but I can say it would be best if did wait until you die. Just a thought.

Answer 10

Not really; however, it does depend upon what the real motive is all about. If you are doing it to defy God in some way, it would be a sin. Saving on expenses is OK.