Dear Parishioners,

I would like to take a moment to talk about Christian burial. As Catholics, we believe that the body is to be treated with the utmost respect. We show respect for the body by giving them funerals and burials, not just discarding them. The human body has dignity because it is an essential part of who we are. We are not just souls trapped within physical forms. When we were conceived, we were just as much a body as we were a soul. We believe as Catholics that God honors our bodies by resurrecting us when Jesus returns. That is how important the body is.

Many people can easily forget this especially when it comes to the practice of cremation. The Church does allow Catholics to be cremated and as far as I know the Church is not going to change that discipline any time soon. It has become very common because it is more affordable. Yet, the Church does not consider this practice to be the ideal. As the Order of Christian Funeral says, “Although cremation is now permitted by the Church, it does not enjoy the same value as burial of the body. The Church clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral rites, since the presence of the human body better expresses the values which the Church affirms in those rites.” (no. 413) One problem with cremation is that it destroys the body to the point that it no longer resembles a body. This process makes it easier to treat the body like it is an object. So, if cremation is chosen, we still have to treat the ashes like a body. That means we cannot scatter the ashes or let them remain at home or make them into jewelry. The body deserves a proper internment and it is up to the next of kin to provide it.

While we are on this topic, I would like to mention two other forms of disposal of the body that are not permitted by the Church. First, is alkaline hydrolysis where the body is dissolved in chemicals. The second is human composting which uses plant matter to turn the body into compost. Again, neither one of these options is permitted.

Lastly, one of the reasons to have a burial is to remind ourselves to pray for the dead. So, please remember to pray for them today and every day. Some day we will wish that someone is praying for us as well.

God bless!

Fr. Carter