Cremation Guidelines
Cremation Guidelines of the Vatican
New instruction from the Vatican restates the doctrinal and pastoral reasons for the Church’s burial preference for the remains of the faithful. The Church continues to prefer the practice of burying the bodies of the deceased because this shows a greater esteem towards the departed. Nevertheless, cremation is not prohibited unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian faith. When cremation of the body has been chosen, the human cremated remains of the faithful must be laid to rest in a sacred place (i.e., a Catholic cemetery). This helps to ensure that due respect is shown to the faithful departed and that they are included in the prayers and remembrance of their family and the Catholic community.

Understanding Cremation as Catholics
Human cremated remains of the faithful departed should not be scattered, or kept in one’s home, nor should they be divided among family members.
In 1963, the Catholic Church lifted the prohibition forbidding Catholics to choose cremation. The permission was incorporated into the revised Code of Canon Law of 1983 (Canon #1176), as well as into the Order of Christian Funerals.
Since 1997, the Church’s Funeral Rites may be celebrated in the presence of the cremated human remains. It is the Church’s preference that its funeral rites take place in the presence of the body of the deceased and not in the presence of the cremated remains, “since the presence of the human body better expresses the values that the Church affirms in its rites.” (Reflections on the Body, Cremation, and Catholic Funeral Rites, Committee on the Liturgy, NCCB, 1997) Assurance must be given that cremated remains will be properly buried or entombed. If a family indicates that the remains are to be scattered or disposed of in an inappropriate way, the cremated remains may not be present in the church for a funeral liturgy. Scattering is contrary to Catholic teaching that says the cremated human remains should be handled with the same reverence with which we handle a human body.
The cremated remains of a body should be treated with the same respect given to the human body from which they come. This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, and the care and attention to appropriate placement and transport, and the final disposition. The cremated remains should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium. The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains on the home of a relative or friend of the deceased are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires. (OCF no. 417)
The rite of committal follows the church service. The Church strongly recommends that a memorial plaque or stone recording the name of the deceased be placed where the cremated remains are buried or entombed. (OCF Appendix, 417)
Finally, the burial of the faithful departed in cemeteries or other sacred places encourages family members and the whole Christian community to pray for and remember the dead, while at the same time fostering the veneration of martyrs and saints.
For more information on cremation and the proper disposition of cremated remains please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
- As a Catholic, may I be cremated?
Yes. In 1963, the Vatican’s Holy Office (today the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith) lifted the prohibition forbidding Catholics to choose cremation. This permission was incorporated into the revised Code of Canon Law of 1983 (Canon #1176) and into the Order of Christian Funerals. It is now the standard practice to celebrate the funeral liturgies with the body and then take it to the crematorium. Most recently, the bishops of the United States and the Vatican have authorized the celebration of a Catholic funeral liturgy with the cremated remains when the body is cremated before the funeral. - Do I need to ask permission to be cremated?
No, but it is recommended you discuss this matter with your pastor or other parish ministers. - When should cremation take place?
The Church strongly recommends that cremation take place after the full funeral liturgy with the body. The body’s presence clearly represents and reminds those at the funeral of the life and death of the deceased, as well as better expressing the values that the Church affirms in its rites.
This the body once washed in Baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation, and fed with the Bread of Life. This the body whose hands clothed the poor and embraced the sorrowing…Thus, the Church’s reverence and care for the body grow out of a reverence and concern for the person whom the Church now commends to the care of God… However, when circumstances prevent the presence of the body at the funeral liturgy…it is appropriate that the cremated remains of the body be present for the full course of the funeral rites, including the Vigil for the Deceased, the Funeral Liturgy, and Rite of Committal. The funeral liturgy should always be celebrated in a church. (Reflections on the Body, Cremation, and Catholic Funeral Rites, Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy) - Is it necessary to embalm?
When cremation follows the funeral liturgy, embalming is usually necessary. When cremation follows soon after death, embalming is not necessary. Each state has its own regulations in this matter, but generally, the rule is that a deceased human body that is not buried or cremated within 24-48 hours must be embalmed or refrigerated. However, simple embalming and the use of a cremation casket need not lead to excessive costs.
If you choose to have the body present for Mass, with cremation to follow, rental of a casket may be an option. Many funeral directors will offer regular caskets for rent and special cremation or shell caskets for purchase. - What is the proper container for cremated remains?
Appropriate, worthy containers (not necessarily expensive) such as a classic urn are appropriate for the cremated remains. Currently, the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy has determined only what is not a proper container. Although jewelry, dishes, statuary, and space capsules and other such designer containers are now being offered, they are not accepted in Catholic funeral practice. Also, it is unacceptable to have cremated remains made into jewelry, dishes, and the like. - How should cremated remains be transported?
Transportation of cremated remains is a matter of personal choice. Individuals personally carrying a deceased person’s ashes carry the additional responsibility of packing and transporting the urn. Using the principle of respect for the body, the container of cremated remains may be wrapped and possibly sent as accompanying baggage or carry-on luggage. Check with the airline office or the state’s Department of Public Health for specific information about your region of travel before preparing the cremated remains for transport by air. Where there are no legal regulations regarding transporting cremated remains, most cremationists ship the cremated remains in a standard shipping container by U.S. Mail or other common carriers. - Must cremated remains be buried/entombed?
Respectful final disposition of cremated remains involves either internment or entombment. Burial options include a family grave in a cemetery marked with a traditional memorial stone or an urn garden, which is a special section in a cemetery with small, pre-dug graves for urns. - May I scatter the cremated remains?
No. The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or friend of the deceased are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires. (Order of Christian Funeral, Appendix II #417) Burial at sea of cremated remains is allowed provided the cremated remains are not scattered but dropped into the sea in an appropriate and worthy container heavy enough to be sent to its final resting place (Order of Christian Funerals, #406.4). You should consult with the local government regarding environmental regulations. - May anything be added to cremated remains such as the cremated?
The mingling of remains is not an accepted practice. Respect for the cremated remains of a deceased Christian embraces the belief in the individuality of each baptized person before God. - What funeral rites are celebrated when a person is cremated?
The Church strongly prefers that cremation take place after the full funeral liturgy with the body. When this is impossible, all the usual rites that are celebrated with a body present may also be celebrated in the presence of cremated remains. In an appendix to the Order of Christian Funerals, the United States bishops have included prayers to be used when the cremated remains of a loved one are present in church (Order of Christian Funerals, Appendix II #432-438). - Should I schedule a funeral Mass before or after cremation?
The Church strongly prefers cremation after the Funeral Mass. However, if it is not possible for the body to be present at the Funeral Mass, the Vatican has allowed for the celebration of the Mass with the cremated remains in church. - What happens at the Funeral Mass with cremated remains?
The indult granting the diocesan bishops of the United States authority to permit a funeral liturgy in the presence of cremated remains has two requirements. First, the diocesan bishop must authorize this practice for his diocese. Second, each individual case requires episcopal permission, which your pastor will need to seek for you. - What length of time is there between death, cremation, and funeral Mass?
This varies, just as in the case of funerals with the body. The place of death, the location of the crematory, scheduling a time for cremation, the schedule at the parish church, and other circumstances must be taken into consideration. Once all arrangements have been made, you should generally allow at least one day between death and the celebration of the funeral liturgy. - What happens at the Funeral Mass with cremated remains?
A journey that began at baptism concludes when we enter into eternal life. Attention should be given to the symbols of the Catholic funeral liturgy as stated in the Order of Christian Funerals and its commentaries. The paschal candle and sprinkling with holy water symbolize baptism and should be used during the funeral Mass. However, the pall is not used. Photos and other mementos may be used at the vigil but are not appropriate for the Mass. During the Mass, the cremated remains should be treated with the same dignity and respect as the body. They are to be sealed in a worthy vessel. They may be carried in procession and/or placed on a table where the coffin normally would be with the Easter candle nearby.