You may not have noticed, if you looked at the funeral planning form that I provided a few weeks ago that offered choices for the Mass of Resurrection, the first two involved having the body present in a casket followed by either interment OR cremation and then interment in the ground or in a columbarium. I purposefuly put the options in the order I did, as they reflect the "Church's" preferences though obviously on such a form, there is not room to include the "why's" of these preferences. I can honestly say that while the choice of cremation has become the norm in our parish and we are blessed to have a beautiful Columbarium garden with four columbarium with niches that hold the cremains for one or normally two people, most are still not informed as to why the Catholic Church "urges" that the body of the deceased be present at the funeral liturgy or liturgies before cremation takes place.
It does so firstly out of respect for the body that was the temple of the Holy Spirit and that was washed in baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation and fed with the bread of life. Also, to be considered, is the reality of the grieving process which is strongly supported and effective when a body is present and when possible is viewed at least by the family before the funeral liturgies take place. We have seen and no doubt remember certain "dignitaries" who lied in state before their funerals took place in order for many people, family and others "pay their respects" and grieve the loss. This is important and should be considered as one makes their own or their loved one's arrangements for what is done after death.
Funeral homes are ready to rent out a casket for a person's funeral rites with the understanding that cremation will follow. While there are additional costs for arranging to have a person's body present for the funeral liturgies before cremation, I would hope that financial costs would not in this important matter be the first or only consideration in what is done after a person dies. While cremation is understandably the choice of many in our parish for some very practical reasons (like insufficient cemetery space around here), I want to encourage you to ponder the Church's view on the value of having a person's body present for the liturgies the Church offers after a person has died. Please remember, too, that the Church urges that we inter a person's urn as soon after the funeral ligurgies as possible and decries any plans to scatter cremains or divide them up for any reason after the cremation takes place.
Also, let me say that if the choice of immediate cremation is made, I will always to supportive of the family in the planning of the funeral liturgies, in lifting up the one who has died in the Mass of Resurrection and in offering bereavement support as is welcomed by the family of the deceased person. I pray "pastoral sensitivity" will always be practiced by all who are involved in bereavement ministry as we lift up to the Lord of love and mercy those who have passed from this life into the hands of God!
It does so firstly out of respect for the body that was the temple of the Holy Spirit and that was washed in baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation and fed with the bread of life. Also, to be considered, is the reality of the grieving process which is strongly supported and effective when a body is present and when possible is viewed at least by the family before the funeral liturgies take place. We have seen and no doubt remember certain "dignitaries" who lied in state before their funerals took place in order for many people, family and others "pay their respects" and grieve the loss. This is important and should be considered as one makes their own or their loved one's arrangements for what is done after death.
Funeral homes are ready to rent out a casket for a person's funeral rites with the understanding that cremation will follow. While there are additional costs for arranging to have a person's body present for the funeral liturgies before cremation, I would hope that financial costs would not in this important matter be the first or only consideration in what is done after a person dies. While cremation is understandably the choice of many in our parish for some very practical reasons (like insufficient cemetery space around here), I want to encourage you to ponder the Church's view on the value of having a person's body present for the liturgies the Church offers after a person has died. Please remember, too, that the Church urges that we inter a person's urn as soon after the funeral ligurgies as possible and decries any plans to scatter cremains or divide them up for any reason after the cremation takes place.
Also, let me say that if the choice of immediate cremation is made, I will always to supportive of the family in the planning of the funeral liturgies, in lifting up the one who has died in the Mass of Resurrection and in offering bereavement support as is welcomed by the family of the deceased person. I pray "pastoral sensitivity" will always be practiced by all who are involved in bereavement ministry as we lift up to the Lord of love and mercy those who have passed from this life into the hands of God!