When the choice has been made to cremate a body, it is recommended that the cremation take place after the funeral liturgy. The Church prefers that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral rites. The cremated remains should be treated with the same respect given to the human body from which they come, which includes final disposition. The proper disposition for the cremated remains is to be buried or entombed at a cemetery or mausoleum in a manner that will provide a guarantee of perpetual care.
The practice of scattering cremated remains or keeping them in the home of a relative or friend of the deceased is not considered reverent disposition, and is therefore not approved by the Church.
For additional information on cremation, consult your Catholic pastor or talk with a Catholic Cemeteries and Funeral Homes representative.
Funeral and Cremation Packages
The Church strongly prefers that cremation take place following a funeral Mass with the body present. However, when this is not possible, all the usual rites which are celebrated with a body present may also be celebrated in the presence of cremated remains.
Choices range from simple containers to a more traditional looking cremation casket when choosing to have the body present for Mass. Some caskets may be personalized to better reflect your loved one’s beliefs, hobbies or associations.
The Catholic Church requires the cremated remains be buried or entombed in a family grave, urn garden or a columbarium. Scattering or keeping cremated remains in the home are not considered reverent forms of disposition.
The Church requires that the cremated remains be housed in one urn. Therefore, designer keepsake urns such as jewelry are not acceptable in Catholic funeral practices. We offer a wide variety of memorial urns that are suitable for burial or entombment.
All of our packages include the services of a funeral director and staff. Basically, we take care of everything related to your traditional Catholic funeral, including the vigil, funeral Mass and committal. We do not, however, arrange for the cemetery space, whether ground burial or mausoleum entombment. That must be preplanned separately with our Catholic cemetery of your choice. We can also advise you and your family on most of the death-related matters that we do not actually handle. More than a service, it is our ministry to serve and comfort families in their time of need.
Services of Funeral Director and Staff
- Conducting the arrangement conference
- Planning the funeral
- Consulting with family and clergy
- Housing the remains
- Preparing and filing necessary notices
- Obtaining necessary authorizations
- Coordinating with the cemetery, crematory or other third parties
- Proportionate share of our basic overhead costs
