Recent surveys indicate that more and more people who identify as Catholic are choosing cremation of the body after death rather than traditional full-body burial. While this form of disposition of the human body is now approved by the Catholic Church, there are a few rules that the Church asks us to consider:

- Cremated remains are the same human body but in a different form (ashes as opposed to bone, skin, etc.) and, as such, must be treated with proper respect and reverence.

- Cremated remains may not be kept at home but rather, after the cremation, buried or entombed in a cemetery. - Cremated remains may not be scattered.

- The cremation should, as much as possible, take place AFTER the funeral Mass has been offered in the Church.

- If someone has been cremated before the funeral Mass has been offered, the cremated remains may be brought to Church for a funeral Mass but then must be buried or entombed immediately after the Mass.

- Families who desire a funeral Mass for a deceased person who has been cremated are asked to speak to one of the priests to discuss the final disposition of the remains.

We understand that there is a lot of emotion at the time of death of a loved one. We respectfully ask relatives and friends, at the same time, to understand that the Church does not have rules to limit freedom but rather, to help us live in the freedom that God gives us as His children. Such rules are not meant to hurt but to help us keep our eyes fixed on our goal of heaven.