Why is spreading ashes (rather than emtombment) unacceptable in Roman Catholicism?

Question

When I die I want things to be simply. I don't people to dwell on my death.

Answer 1

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 just is. Cremation is fine. However, the Church expects entombment of the ashes in a conventional grave, a mausoleum or a columbarium (cemetery niche for the container).

The Order of Christian Funerals approved for the dioceses of the United States by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Holy See contains an alternate prayer for cremated remains.

That prayer says, “My friends, as we prepare to bury (entomb) the ashes of our brother (sister)....” Later it continues, “Comfort us today with the words of your promise as we return the ashes of our brother (sister) to the earth.”

The Guidelines for Christian Burial in the Catholic Church, prepared by the Liturgy Advisory Committee of the National Catholic Cemetery Conference, state, “Unless otherwise directed by the diocesan bishop, the cremated remains should never be scattered or disposed of in any manner other than a dignified interment or entombment.”

Burial at sea is permitted for a body or a person’s ashes. Federal law prohibits such burials less than three nautical miles from land. Regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency specify that “cremated remains shall be buried in or on ocean waters.”

Answer 3

Cremation is discouraged in Catholicism because the Bible says when we are resurrected at the end of days, it will be with our bodies, just like Jesus. No body, no resurrection. That is why Christians were mutilated and desecrated during early ages because it would prevent them from receiving eternal life at the end of the world at God's side. They would have to be in the desecrated body, or if it was destroyed, left out.

Answer 4

Coz we're supposed to rise from the dead at the end of time.

Answer 5

That is something I didn't know. Thanks for the point and the tip!