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Why did Christians move away from Although is now acceptable for At a cemetery the dimension of community is A Historical Perspective cremation? faithful Catholics, further reflection is needed: expressed. A Catholic cemetery is not just a ø Faith in the of the body what are the reasons for choosing cremation graveyard, but also a place where the living From 1886 to 1963 the practice of cremation ø Reverence for the body as a member of the and what does this mean for the Christian and the dead together bring about a was forbidden for Roman Catholics around the Body of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit and . communion of saints. world. In the spirit of Vatican Council II ø A strong reaction to persecutors' burning of (1962-1965), the practice was restored in bodies as a taunt against belief in the Is there a plan for burial as final placement? Will the cremated remains be placed in a 1963. Nevertheless, over 40 years later, Resurrection Many cremated remains linger in closets or worthy container? uncertainty regarding cremation remains basements, on shelves or tables. The statutes This doesn't necessarily mean buying an urn. prevalent among Catholics. Why can Christians choose cremation? of the State of Wisconsin declare cremation to Is there a worthy vessel, beautiful and be final disposition [HFS 135.06 (3) (b)], but significant, already in a family's possession Yes, Catholics can choose to be cremated. øTransfer of the remains from a distant place the teachings of the call for that could be used? The revised Code of Canon Law (1983) states: ø Financial, ecological or space gatherings, and rituals from the Order of The Church earnestly recommends that the considerations Christian . Final disposition is the act pious custom of burial be retained; but it does ø National or ethnic customs of placing the cremated remains in a cemetery. Cremation & The Order of not forbid cremation, unless this is chosen for ø Concerns or fears about burial or The burial place should be reverent, public, reasons, which are contrary to Christian entombment documented, marked and maintained. The Christian Funerals teaching (Canon 1176, paragraph 3). ø Simple personal preference or a choice decision to cremate is NOT the final decision in Obviously, denial of the Resurrection of the made on behalf of another When cremation is chosen, there are choices funeral planning. body or an attachment to non-Christian pertaining to the Order of Christian Funerals: (secular or religious) beliefs would be contrary Is too much attention being devoted to novelty ø If the cremation is done after the Mass of to Christian teaching. A Need For Reflection or unusual practices, rather than simply doing Christian Burial is celebrated— what is reverent and traditional? Going back into Christian history and tradition, The cremated remains of a body should be The Church prefers delaying the cremation Maintain an awareness of the Resurrection the Church has always expressed a preference treated with the same respect given to the until after the Mass of Christian Burial. and its future hope. Mingling, dividing up, for full-body burial, whether above-ground or human body from which they come. This Accomplish this by renting a casket with a scattering on water or land are NOT in keeping in-ground. The risk taken by Joseph of includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain removable liner for the Vigil and Funeral Mass. with the Church's teaching. Burial at Arimathea to claim the body of after his the ashes, the manner in which they are This allows the presence of the body and all means placing the cremated remains inside a on the cross shows the respect carried, the care and attention to appropriate the power it conveys. The mourners might be container and then into the deep, not scattering Christians have for the human body and its placement and transport, and the final able to journey with the body to the crematory. atop the water. Putting cremated remains into reverent burial. not only created us in the disposition. The cremated remains should be In any event, there should be a gathering after a locket or using them a "raw material" to fullness of our humanity, but also sent his Son buried in a or entombed in a mausoleum the cremation for the Rite of Committal when create an object is not proper. Sometimes the to take on our body and our nature. Being or columbarium. The practice of scattering the cremated remains are placed in a cemetery short-term desire for a "send off" that is made in the image and likeness of God makes cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or or mausoleum. The cremation by itself, in the customized and personalized overwhelms a our bodies innately honorable. on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in eyes of the Church, is not adequate final long-term view based on remembrance, the home of a relative or friend of the disposition of the body of a believer. Look at the elaborate efforts, again risking deceased are not the reverent disposition that permanence and prayer. arrest and death, of the Christians living in ø If the cremation is done before any of the the Church requires. Whenever possible, Will there be a fixed place where visits and persecuting Rome. They worshipped funeral rites — appropriate means for recording with dignity memorials can be focused? Will the place be underground and buried their dead in Sometimes a cremation cannot be delayed the memory of the deceased should be suitable for prayerful visitation? catacombs, over 300 miles of excavated until the funeral rites have been celebrated. All adopted, such as a plaque or stone which Your Catholic Cemeteries offer a variety of tunnels and caverns. records the name of the deceased. the rites of the Order of Christian Funerals can burial places and options for cremated remains — REFLECTIONS ON THE BODY , CREMATION AND still be celebrated accordingly. Cremated Actually, the Church did not have difficulty with where all this is possible. Urns can be buried in remains in a worthy vessel are to be treated CATHOLIC FUNERAL RITES (A Statement by the the ground in full or partial . Above- the process of reducing a human body to its with respect and dignity because they are the National Conference of Catholic Bishops of the ground niches come in different sizes, either component parts by fire, as much as with the remains of a human person. A picture of the internal attitudes or beliefs often underlying this , 1997, paragraph 417) inside or outside, with glass, granite or marble deceased may be used during the visitation external action. fronts. There are other features and and Vigil, but it is not appropriate during the memorialization options available. Funeral Mass when the remains are placed in ø An official Burial Rights Assignment Form is the sanctuary –much like a casket is closed the best way for an original owner (a married A Final Thought BURIAL OPTIONS during a Funeral Mass. Holy water and incense couple exercises joint ownership) or their heirs Your Catholic Cemeteries, owned and may be used to reverence the remains and the to clearly how and by whom a burial space will operated by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on Easter candle would burn nearby. be used. This Form can be completed with no behalf of the Catholic parishes, give witness to Cremation and the charge by contacting the appropriate Cemetery a faithful community of Christ’s disciples — the ø If the cremation and the final burial must Office. deceased, the living, even those still-to-be- precede the funeral rites — Catholic Church When neither the body nor the cremated born — of all walks and stations in life. remains may be present because of In Joyful Hope We are committed to your family…those circumstances, a memorial gathering, often deceased and those living. We invite you to with full celebration of the Mass following a Burial in a Catholic Cemetery is an affirmation come — to laugh, to cry, to remember, to pray, time of visitation, may be planned for family of the Christian Faith. The words of Jesus are to smile and to love. and friends to honor the deceased and to accepted and thereby proclaimed: I am the strengthen the living. The location of the burial Resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Your Catholic Cemeteries are holy places for should be mentioned. me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who prayer, for memory, for service, for renewed lives and believes in me will never die purpose. These are sacred environments (John 11:24). where…

Catholic Cemetery Principles LIFE is remembered, For generations, the Christian Faithful The Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic Departed of the Milwaukee area have waited in LOVE is deepened, Cemeteries holds to the following principles for steadfast faith and joyful hope in a Catholic HOPE is rekindled and FAITH is awakened, renewed the final disposition of cremated remains and cemetery. These eight Cemeteries of the has enacted these specific regulations: Archdiocese, operated on behalf of all and strengthened.

Placement — parishes, exercise a ministry of service that

The following placement regulations and continues uninterrupted since 1857. We are general policies insure that cremated remains guided by the Catholic Church, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the needs of are buried or entombed in a place that provides for distinguishable and adequate those we serve. Catholic Cemeteries memorialization of the deceased — ø Two cremation urns can be placed in a full- Holy Cross & Calvary 414-438-4420 sized grave, in a companion niche, or in a crypt About Our ø One cremation urn can be placed in a niche St. Adalbert & Holy Trinity 414-483-3663 or in a partial-sized grave Family Service Counselors Mount Olivet 414-645-0611 General — Our Family Service Counselors are a phone All Saints–Kenosha 262-694-2040 ø We do not place an urn in a crypt or grave call away after sudden tragedies or prior to already occupied by a casket burial anticipated losses in our community. St. Joseph–Waukesha 262-547-4927 ø We do not recommend the placement of an Therefore, as a requirement for employment urn inside a casket; this requires a separate with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Catholic Resurrection–Mequon 262-242-3850 burial service fee Cemeteries, every Family Service Counselor ø We do not place urns on top of an existing must successfully complete a rigorous training Visit our web site: www.cemeteries.org burial in grave spaces course covering the fundamentals of grief, as Archdiocese of Milwaukee ø We do not place urns in any space not well as possess a thorough understanding of designated or consecrated as burial space Christian burial practices. In addition, our General Administrative Offices at Holy Cross. Catholic Cemeteries ø A cremation vault is required for all in-ground Family Service Counselors participate in ©Copyright 2004 urn continuing education programs to better Archdiocese of Milwaukee (WI) Catholic Cemeteries understand grief and trauma. Revision 002 A Tradition of Comforting Concern