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Cremation
A few years ago Washington D.C. for the first time. One of the main goals of the trip was to visit Kennedy's grave. It's a place to remember, a place to pray, a place to gain strength. When I visit home I often go to the graves of my parents. Just think of the many people who make the trip to the grave of Elvis Presley or Princess Diana. Mark Twain is my favorite author, and I went out of my way to visit his grave and even bring flowers. How important it is to have a place to go to remember.
The bodies of John F. Kennedy Jr., Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and Lauren Bessette were cremated and buried at sea. Many of our members have heard news coverage that states that the Catholic Church is generally opposed to cremation, and that it recommends that the bodies of the deceased be present at the Funeral Liturgy. I provide this information to help us understand the teachings of our Church and its concerns in this area. Throughout this page I'll provide references to the Catholic Catechism. If you don't have a copy, why not consider acquiring one. There's an on-line version too, at: http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/ccc.html Respect for the dead2299 The dying should be given attention and care to help them live their last moments in dignity and peace. They will be helped by the prayer of their relatives, who must see to it that the sick receive at the proper time the sacraments that prepare them to meet the living God. When family members and friends are near death we treat them with great dignity and help them find the peace they'd like to have. As this paragraph in the Catholic Catechism tells us, they're helped by our prayers. There's a special page on our Web Site too, that includes prayers for the dead and the dying. Click here to go there.
2300. "The bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity, in faith and hope of the Resurrection. The burial of the dead is a corporal work of mercy;[Cf. Tob 1:16-18 .] it honors the children of God, who are temples of the Holy Spirit. " To view the context, please visit http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/fifth.html#PERSONS
366. "The Church teaches that every spiritual soul is created immediately by God - it is not 'produced' by the parents - and also that it is immortal: it does not perish when it separates from the body at death, and it will be reunited with the body at the final Resurrection.[Cf. Pius XII, Humani generis: DS 3896; Paul VI, CPC # 8; Lateran Council V (1513): DS 1440.]" To view the context, please visit http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/visible2.html#TRULY
My parents took us to funerals. We went to the funeral home at the earliest ages, and we looked at the bodies. We developed a certain acceptance of and comfort with death. The body of the deceased person is very important. It's what contained their soul, and it's how we knew them. It's good for us to show respect for the deceased by attending the funeral vigil and funeral, and it's important to the family that they have occasion to receive our good wishes and support.
In cases where cremation is planned, the Church counsels that the body should be present for the funeral. The body deserves certain reverence, that's for sure. The Church teaches too, that the soul will be reunited with the body at the final Resurrection. In the case of John F. Kennedy Jr, his wife and her sister, there was great discomfort in many hearts because they didn't know where the bodies were. There was great relief when they were discovered.
Many of us had an interest we might almost feel a little guilty about. Many of us would have liked to have seen some physical representation ... a body bag, a casket ... something. That desire may have been partially satisfied by seeing the two medical examiner vans that transported the bodies to the hospital. My guess is that someone has gone to bizarre lengths to get some photos of the transfer of the bodies, , and that we'll hear about their existence as time goes by.
We've seen crowds gather at the Kennedy compound and at the apartment site in Manhattan. People express their need to find a place to go and something to do. Many wrote poems or drew pictures. Our creative outlets help us express our grief as well. The human need to come together and mourn is expressed. The Irish Catholic community in New York gathered for a memorial Mass. An integral part of our Church funeral is the celebration of the Eucharist. The Eucharist itself is a memorial. We come together to recall the mysteries of our faith ... that Christ has died, has risen and will come again. We participate in that mystery through our Baptism. We come to recall what happened in the past, to give thanks, to be strengthened by it and to move on into the future with renewed hope and strength. If we think about it, the same thing happens when we visit a memorial or grave. We remember, pray, are strengthened and leave with new hope and resolve. There's great power in that! 366. "The Church teaches that every spiritual soul is created immediately by God - it is not 'produced' by the parents - and also that it is immortal: it does not perish when it separates from the body at death, and it will be reunited with the BODY at the final Resurrection.[Cf. Pius XII, Humani generis: DS 3896; Paul VI, CPC # 8; Lateran Council V (1513): DS 1440.]" To view the context, please visit http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/visible2.html#TRULY997. "What is 'rising'? In death, the separation of the soul from the body, the human body decays and the soul goes to meet God, while awaiting its reunion with its glorified body. God, in his almighty power, will definitively grant incorruptible life to our bodies by reuniting them with our souls, through the power of Jesus' Resurrection." To view the context, please visit http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/art11.html#OURS1016. "By death the soul is separated from the body, but in the Resurrection God will give incorruptible life to our body, transformed by reunion with our soul. Just as Christ is risen and lives for ever, so all of us will rise at the last day. " To view the context, please visit http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/art11.html#CHRISTCremation 301. "Autopsies can be morally permitted for legal inquests or scientific research. The free gift of organs after death is legitimate and can be meritorious.
To view the context, please visit http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/fifth.html#PERSONS
It's important that, if cremation is to take place, that it's done for the right reasons and at the right time. It's important for friends and relatives to understand that the deceased is truly dead. The first stage of grief tries to convince us that it isn't really true. Viewing the body can help us know that it is. It can be less expensive than a full funeral. Sometimes, when the loss of a loved one is especially painful, it can be tempting to minimize our involvement in what's happening. It can seem desirable to avoid contact with relatives and friends during this difficult time. Sometimes too, the relationship with the deceased may not be as close, and it can seem desirable to have the body cremated for that reason.
In case of tragic death, it can seem desirable to avoid looking at the body. Many of those involved in grief work see viewing of the body as extremely important. If the body is not seen, our imaginations seem to be able to conjure up images much worse than what we'd see if we viewed the body. Our seeing seems to help put those imaginations to rest, so healing can continue. Once a cremation is done, that chance is forever lost. The Church wisely counsels that, if the body is to be cremated, that it be done after the funeral. This gives relatives and friends the chance to view the body, express their condolences, etc. It also counsels that the cremains then be buried in blessed ground. This provides a place to visit and to pray. Many cemeteries allow cremains to be buried on top of another grave, or for two or more cremains to be buried in the same cemetery plot.
Entombment in a mausoleum also provides a place and many opportunities to pray and remember. As time goes by, that place to visit and remember becomes very important indeed. Some people travel to Europe to visit the graves of their ancestors and family members. A visit to Arlington National Cemetery can't help but touch us deeply. Cremains brought to Church?"It is greatly to be preferred that the funeral liturgy take place in the presence of the body of the deceased prior to its cremation." This quote, from the Vatican Indult regarding allowing cremains to come to Church expresses the feelings of the Church. The presence of the body shows reverence for the body, can contribute toward our belief in resurrection of the body, and provides the closure of seeing the body of the deceased.
Until a short time ago, the Catholic Church didn't allow cremains to come to Church. The funeral was always celebrated with the body present. The citations from the Catholic Catechism found on this page provide the reasons, along with the personal considerations that make the presence of the body desirable.
A recent letter from the Vatican has cleared ground for celebrating the funeral Mass with the cremains present. That's a change, and any change requires learning and understanding. Each diocesan bishop has the right to decide whether to allow the practice in his diocese. Any good shepherd would want the faithful to have good understanding before introducing something that could be confusing or misunderstood. My desire in the creation of this page is to help us come to greater understanding of what the Church teaches ... and why. The link below provides the text of the Indult, or letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments that opens the door for such permission. Indult on CremationOn April 18, 1997 Bishop Anthony Pilla informed the bishops of the United States that he had received a letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments which responded favorably to the NCCB's request for an indult to allow the presence of the cremated remains of a body at the Funeral Mass.
Bishop Pilla called attention to the language of the indult which gives to each diocesan bishop the right to decide whether to allow the practice in his diocese. In his letter, Bishop Pilla alerted the bishops to the Committee on the Liturgy's statement,"Reflections on the Body, Cremation, and Catholic Funeral Rites" which is now available as a catechetical tool to help dioceses understand the Church's position on burial and cremation.
Finally, Bishop Pilla asked the bishops not to utilize the indult until the texts and ritual directives, which had been approved by the bishops last November, are confirmed by the Apostolic See. Follow this link for the text of the letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments: Vatican Letter regarding the presence of cremated remains at the Funeral Mass So it isn't a simple issue. The Kennedy family received permissions for burial at sea, cremation, etc. We hope it was a wise decision as far as all are concerned. It may have helped us grieve better as a country to have had the experience of filing past the caskets, seeing them lifted into the funeral coaches, watching the burials and having a place to go to express our grief and offer our prayers. Many people would have treasured the ability to personally greet the family members and offer their sympathy as well. It's not our job though, to second guess the family. They've certainly faced tragedies beyond our imaginations. We can assume that their reasoning is well thought-out. They have a history of closeness with the Church and its clergy. I'm sure everything we've addressed here has been discussed by them.
I hope this page has been at least a little helpful. We continue to rely upon the power of the holy spirit and the wisdom of our Church to make many good decisions. May God bless us with the knowledge and courage we need. Feel free to visit our Grief Support page for some good information and even more links that can help us pray for the dead and dying, and support the loved ones they've left behind. May their souls
and the souls of all the faithful departed,
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Many
of us remember John John Kennedy from the poignant picture of him saluting his
father's casket. Arlington National Cemetery has become a great gathering
place for those who would like to remember John F. Kennedy, Jackie, and the many
heroic men and women who have served our country in the armed forces. We
remember Jackie's funeral, the televisions picture of her casket, and the
satisfied feeling many of us had when she was reunited with her husband at
Arlington.