May We Scatter the Ashes Of Loved Ones?
Question: Does the Catholic Church permit the scattering of ashes of a person after cremation?
Answer: The Catholic Church has taught since 1963 that the practice of cremation is acceptable, as long as it is not chosen for reasons that are contrary to Christian doctrine, such as a denial of the belief in the resurrection of the body.
The Church believes that the body, even in death, should be treated with reverence and dignity, as it is a temple of the Holy Spirit and will be resurrected on the last day. The Church therefore has specific guidelines regarding the handling and disposal of ashes after cremation.
Sentimentally attractive as scattering the ashes of a loved one into the sea or off a mountain (as far as that is permitted by local laws) may be, this practice is not allowed by the Catholic Church, because it does not maintain the dignity of the deceased or the belief in the resurrection of the body.
Keeping the ashes in a private home is also forbidden, for the same reasons. It can be permissible “only in grave and exceptional cases dependent on cultural conditions of a localised nature”, and with permission from the local bishop.
But, according to a 2023 response issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, “a minimal part of the ashes” may be kept “in a place of significance for the history of the deceased person” — but, again, only with the permission of the local bishop. Ashes may not be divided among various family members.
The dicastery’s 2016 instruction Ad resurgendum cum Christo (“To Rise with Christ”) notes that the preferred method for the final disposition of the ashes is burial “in a sacred place, such as a cemetery, or in an area dedicated to this purpose, provided that it has been so designated by the ecclesiastical authority”, such as a garden of remembrance.
“An attitude of sacred respect” must be maintained towards the ashes of the deceased person, and these are to be kept in “a sacred place suitable for prayer”, the instruction says. This follows “the most ancient Christian tradition” of the pious practice of burying the dead in cemeteries or other sacred places, as it is considered one of the corporal works of mercy and, mirroring the burial of Christ, more clearly expresses hope in the resurrection when the person’s body and soul will be reunited.
In the case that a Catholic person has an unusual request regarding the disposition of their ashes, it is best to consult the local parish priest or bishop for guidance on the appropriate handling of ashes in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
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