Cremation is no longer prohibited in the Catholic Church.
But the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) noted the Church only allows the practice of cremating remains of the dead when it is not done to deny Catholic teachings.
“Cremation is no longer forbidden unless it has been chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching,” the catechism of CBCP stated.
Retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said it is important for the person to still believe in “resurrection of the dead” and the “immortality of the soul” at the time of death before cremation.
Speaking on behalf of CBCP, Cruz also clarified the cremation must be conducted right after or shortly before the funeral Mass.
Citing CBCP’s Episcopal Commission on Liturgy, the Catholic bishop noted the cremated remains including the use of a “worthy urn” must be treated in the same respects as the body prior cremation.
“When cremation is held after funeral Mass, the rite of final commendation and committal conclude the Mass,” Cruz said.
“While cremation is taking place, the family and friends of the deceased are encouraged to gather in prayer,” he advised.
CBCP’s guideline for cremation advised that should cremation precede the funeral Mass, the rite of final commendation and committal may be performed in the crematorium chapel before it.
“If funeral Mass is not celebrated, the funeral liturgy is held in the presence of the remains,” it stated, requiring columbaria be built in a separate chapel adjacent to the church or in a crypt.
Seeing it as a sacrilege, the Catholic Church prohibited cremation until the Vatican lifted the ban in 1963 and allowed priests to officiate cremation ceremonies three years after.
Cruz admitted that cremation is gaining popularity among Filipinos due to certain economic advantages.
The Catholic official explained having remains of a dead loved one cremated is much more convenient than having it buried in a cemetery.
“It is becoming more convenient to go to a columbarium, where the ashes are deposited, instead of going to the cemetery with the traffic,” Cruz said.
“There’s also a question of space in the cemetery. There is less and less space… How do you visit your dead in the 14th floor (of multi-level burial sites) if there are no stairs?” he asked.
But amid these advantages, the church still encourages Catholic believers to bury the departed in tombs and graves.
“If funeral Mass is not celebrated, the funeral liturgy is held in the presence of the remains,” it stated, requiring columbaria be built in a separate chapel adjacent to the church or in a crypt.
Seeing it as a sacrilege, the Catholic Church prohibited cremation until the Vatican lifted the ban in 1963 and allowed priests to officiate cremation ceremonies three years after.
Cruz admitted that cremation is gaining popularity among Filipinos due to certain economic advantages.
The Catholic official explained having remains of a dead loved one cremated is much more convenient than having it buried in a cemetery.
“It is becoming more convenient to go to a columbarium, where the ashes are deposited, instead of going to the cemetery with the traffic,” Cruz said.
“There’s also a question of space in the cemetery. There is less and less space… How do you visit your dead in the 14th floor (of multi-level burial sites) if there are no stairs?” he asked.
But amid these advantages, the church still encourages Catholic believers to bury the departed in tombs and graves.
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