Catholic Cemeteries of Brooklyn and Queens: http://www.ccbklyn.org

Instruction regarding the burial of the deceased and the conservation of the ashes in the case of cremation:  Ad resurgendum cum Christo (To Rise with Christ), 15 August 2016.

Why does the Church prefer burial of bodies to cremation?

“In memory of the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord, the mystery that illumines the Christian meaning of death, burial of bodies is the most fitting way to express faith and hope in the resurrection of the body…. By burying the bodies of the faithful, the Church confirms her faith in the resurrection of the body, and intends to show the great dignity of the human body as an integral part of the human person whose body forms part of their identity.”

Does the Church prohibit cremation?

No. “The Church raises no doctrinal objections to this practice, since cremation of the deceased’s body does not affect his or her soul, nor does it prevent God, in his omnipotence, from raising up the deceased body to new life.”

Where should the deceased be buried?

“Following the most ancient Christian tradition, the Church recommends that the bodies of the deceased be buried in cemeteries or other sacred places….When, for legitimate motives, cremation has been chosen, the ashes of the faithful must be laid to rest in a sacred place, e.g. a cemetery.”

Why is burying cremains more respectful to the faithful departed than scattering their ashes?

“From the earliest times, Christians have desired that the faithful departed become the objects of the Christian community’s prayers and remembrance.  Their tombs have become places of prayer, remembrance and reflection.”

Why does the Church prohibit scattering of ashes?

In order that every appearance of pantheism, naturalism or nihilism be avoided, the church does not permit anyone to “scatter the ashes of the faithful departed in the air, on land, at sea or in some other way, nor may they be preserved in mementos, pieces of jewelry or other objects.”

Does the Church permit keeping ashes of the departed at home?

No. “The conservation of the ashes of the departed in a domestic residence is not permitted.”

Why is a sacred place more suitable than a home?

“It prevents the faithful departed from being forgotten [by subsequent generations]... or their remains from being shown a lack of respect...”

When a Catholic requests to be cremated and to have their ashes scattered, may they still have a Catholic funeral?

No. “When the deceased has requested cremation and the scattering of their ashes ... a Christian funeral must be denied to that person according to the norms of the law.”

Note: The above information was summarized from the Vatican document Ad resurgendum cum Christo (To Rise with Christ), 15 August 2016.