The Valley Catholic
COMMENTARY
August 19, 2014
17
Are you aware of the Catholic Church’s teachings on cremation?
By Kathy Fanger
On July 6, the Mercury News featured an article, “The
final resting place – Save or scatter? Many options for loved
one’s ashes” by Angela Hill, citing more Americans are
choosing cremation. California data from 2011 reports
the cremation rate at about 56 percent.
At one time, the Catholic Church prohibited cremation because it denied the sacredness of the human
body and belief in the resurrection. In 1963 the Church
lifted this prohibition but it still recommends burying
bodies of the dead. (1983 Code of Canon Law, Canon 1176)
• When should cremation take place?
The Church prefers that cremation take place after
the funeral liturgy wherein the body is present. “This is
the body once washed in Baptism, anointed with the oil
of salvation, and fed with the bread of life.” The Church’s
belief in the sacredness of life and the re