Catholic Cremation Package

Yes. In May, 1963, the Vatican lifted the prohibition forbidding Catholics to choose cremation. 

No, but it is a good idea to discuss your reasons with your pastor or other parish minister. 

The body is enclosed in an acceptable rigid container or casket and is placed in the cremation chamber. Through heat and evaporation, the body is reduced to its basic elements which are referred to as cremated remains. The cremated remains are placed in a permanent container or urn. An urn serves the same purpose after cremation that a casket does with burial. A final resting place may then be selected for the urn. 

The Church prefers that the body be present for the full funeral liturgy and the cremation to take place after the liturgy. However, if it is not possible for the body to be present at the Funeral Mass, having the cremated remains present at the Funeral Mass is acceptable. 

All the usual rites which are celebrated with the body present may also be celebrated in the presence of the cremated remains. The rituals that may be celebrated are: prayers after death, gathering in the presence of the body, vigil for the deceased, Funeral Mass, Funeral Liturgy outside of Mass, and the Rite of Committal. During the liturgies, the cremated remains are treated with the same dignity and respect traditionally afforded the full body in a casket.

When the vigil and Funeral Liturgy are to be scheduled prior to cremation, embalming of the body may be preferred, especially if there is to be an open casket. If all three liturgical rites are to follow soon after death, embalming is generally not necessary, especially if there is to be a closed casket. 

No. The only thing required is a simple container in which the body can be transported and placed in the cremation chamber. If you choose to have the body present for Mass, with cremation to follow, an inexpensive casket or even a rental casket are options. 

No. The practice of scattering on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home is not the reverent disposition that the Church requires. 

Yes. Burial at sea differs from scattering. An appropriate container, heavy enough to be sent to its final resting place, may be dropped into the sea. The Church requires the placement of cremated remains in a container that sinks to the bottom of the sea and does not release the remains in such a way as to be scattered across the surface. State and local jurisdictions may limit burial at sea. Families are advised to ensure that disposition does not violate the law.

A final resting place for cremated remains is in a Catholic Cemetery or Mausoleum. Catholic Cemeteries provide cremation graves for the interment of cremated remains, or the urn can be buried in a family plot. The urn may also be placed in a Mausoleum niche space. Some niche spaces provide a shelf for the urn where it may be viewed through protective glass. Other niche spaces provide a shelf for the urn that is placed behind a memorial plaque.