Specifically, what does the Catholic Church believe?
The 1983 Code of Canon Law (canon 1176) states, “The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the dead be observed; it does not however, forbid cremation unless it has been chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching.” If cremation is chosen, the Church prefers that the body of the deceased be present during funeral rites, with cremation taking place later. However, if this is impossible, a funeral may take place in a church with the cremated remains present. The remains are then to be buried with full reverence in a cemetery or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium, and whenever possible a plaque or stone bearing the name of the deceased should mark the site. The Catholic Church does not approve of scattering remains, as it does not believe that scattering meets the requirements of reverent disposition.
The 1983 Code of Canon Law (canon 1176) states, “The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the dead be observed; it does not however, forbid cremation unless it has been chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching.” If cremation is chosen, the Church prefers that the body of the deceased be present during funeral rites, with cremation taking place later. However, if this is impossible, a funeral may take place in a church with the cremated remains present. The remains are then to be buried with full reverence in a cemetery or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium, and whenever possible a plaque or stone bearing the name of the deceased should mark the site. The Catholic Church does not approve of scattering remains, as it does not believe that scattering meets the requirements of reverent disposition.
