Catholic Cremation Traditions

Embracing New Traditions

Cremation is a practice that has been accepted by the Catholic Church for over 50 years. While traditional burial is preferred, as Christ was buried in the tomb, the Catholic Church offers two options when choosing cremation. In the Catholic Tradition, a funeral enables family and friends to join together in a celebration of faith to remember the life of a loved one who has passed. It is preferred that the body of the deceased is present for the vigil and funeral services; however, it is possible to have a memorial service with the cremated remains present.

To respect the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit, the Church teaches that cremated remains should be kept together (not scattered or divided) and preferably interred in the consecrated grounds of a Catholic Cemetery. The cemeteries offer sacred places for the living to memorialize their loved ones, with a variety of burial choices including personalized glass front niches and beautiful cremation burial sites.