Yes. In May 1963, the Vatican’s Holy Office (now known as the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith) lifted the prohibition forbidding Catholics to choose cremation. This permission was incorporated into the revised Code of Canon Law of 1983, and its liturgies were written in the Order of Christian Funerals. At that time, it was standard practice to celebrate the funeral liturgies with the body present and have the body cremated following the ceremony. More recently, however, the bishops of the United States and the Holy See have authorized the celebration of a Catholic funeral liturgy with just the cremated remains present.
No, but it is a good idea to inform the Pastor of your intention.
No. The practice of scattering cremated remains on the sea, from the air, or on the ground, or keeping cremated remains in the home of a relative or a friend, are not the reverent disposition that the Church requires. Cremated remains, like a body, are to be placed in a final permanent resting place.
No. The principle of respect for the cremated remains of a deceased Christian embraces the deeper belief in the individuality of each baptized person before God. Throughout history, the mingling of remains has never been an accepted practice except in extraordinary circumstances.
The Church prefers that cremation take place after a funeral liturgy with the body present. The body most clearly brings to mind the life and death of the person and better expresses the values that the Church affirms in its rites. Nevertheless, it is permitted to have a funeral liturgy with just the cremated remains present.
You make the decision to be cremated while you are alive. However, your survivors could decide for you if your desires are not previously known. Rarely is it necessary to act against your wishes.
You can make your wishes known by informing the loved one who will be responsible for your funeral arrangements or in documents designed to help plan and prepare your funeral. (These documents are available from a funeral director.) It is not a good idea to specify your funeral arrangements in your will, because it may not be read until some time after the funeral.
Out of respect for loved ones, you will want to do all you can to carry out the wishes of the deceased concerning funeral services, provided they are in keeping with Church practice. You should keep in mind, however, the therapeutic value to the survivors by celebrating the funeral liturgy with the body present. This may outweigh your reasons for a liturgy with only the cremated remains present.
When cremation is to follow soon after death, embalming is not necessary. When cremation follows the funeral liturgy, embalming is usually required. While each state has specific rules, funeral homes also have 'best practices'. Embalming is not a requirement in NC, though a funeral home would likely require it or refrigeration if the burial or cremation is delayed. Green Burial is also an option for families. You might connect with a funeral home and discuss this option which simplifies burials/cremations, more closely reflecting what might have happened a hundred years ago.
No. It is not necessary to purchase a casket for cremation. If you choose to have the body present for the funeral Mass with cremation later, then rental of a casket is an option. All funeral directors offer casket rental. If your family wishes to have a private family visitation at the funeral home prior to cremation you do not need to purchase a casket.
The U.S. Bishop Committee on the Liturgy has determined that urns must be simple and unadorned. For the columbarium at St. Raphael the urn is a simple bronze cube. Ostentatious urns, statuary, and space capsules are examples of “designer” containers now being offered that are unacceptable in Catholic funeral practices. It is also unacceptable to have any art of the cremated remains be made into jewelry, dishes, art works, etc.
Yes. In North Carolina, a registered funeral director always performs the cremation. It is important to note you are not required to have a viewing of the body at the funeral home.
Although not customarily done, family members may choose to be present during cremation.
Typically, the cremated remains are delivered directly to the church by the funeral director at the time of the funeral, but the family is always welcome to transport them as well.
Yes. Respectful, final disposition of cremated remains requires burial or interment in a Columbarium.
In the Order of Christian Funerals, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have included prayers that are used when the cremated remains are present in a church. The following rituals may be celebrated:
The Church prefers cremation after the funeral Mass. However, an indult has been granted by the Holy See which provides for the celebration of the Mass with the cremated remains in church. Having the cremains present at the funeral is increasingly more common.
A journey, which began at Baptism, comes to conclusion as we enter into eternal life. Significant attention should be given to the primary symbols of the Catholic funeral liturgy, as stated in the Order of Christian Funerals and its commentaries. The paschal candle and sprinkling with holy water are primary symbols of Baptism and will be used during the Mass.
During the funeral Mass, the cremated remains are treated with the same dignity and respect as a deceased body. The sealed urn is carried in procession and set on a table in the center of the church. The urn is blessed at the beginning of Mass and then Commended at the end of the funeral just as a casket would be. The one specific difference is a casket has the pall placed on it at the beginning of the Mass.
If the body is present at the funeral Mass, the funeral director will advise you on the time necessary to do the cremation. Usually, it is a day or two. The inurnment then follows shortly thereafter. If the cremated remains are present at the Mass, the interment will usually occur immediately after Mass.
Yes. The Rite of Committal is very similar to the service conducted at a grave site in a cemetery.
A columbarium is an arrangement of openings into which an urn or urns containing the cremated remains of a deceased person is placed for permanent interment. These openings are approximately 12″ wide, 10″ deep, and 10″ high and are called “niches.” Our Columbarium consists of free-standing brick walls, each of which contains 100 marble niches.
This is a personal choice. Many people choose to be inurned in a columbarium because of a strong desire to be laid to rest on the grounds of the church that they have loved and served. Proximity makes it convenient for visits by loved ones, and for periods of meditation and reflection.
Also, the cost of inurnment in a Columbarium is usually considerably less than the cost of burial at a cemetery. Other factors that may enter into your decision are concerns about the environment and space availability at a cemetery.
At Saint Raphael, care of the grounds surrounding the Columbarium will be tastefully, continually, and perpetually provided.
Our Memorial Garden and Columbarium is on the church grounds across the parking lot from the Church. This location provides an exceptionally beautiful, private site for grieving, prayer and meditation. Our Columbarium was dedicated in 1999.
Yes. Each niche holds two urns. Your non-Catholic spouse may have a funeral rite at the Columbarium and then be placed in your Columbarium niche. All inurnment liturgies, however, will be in keeping with Roman Catholic rites. Exceptions require the approval of the Pastor.
The Columbarium is intended primarily for the parishioners of St. Raphael Catholic Church. Therefore, any active registered member of the parish may purchase niches and memorial plaques. The purchaser, however, may inurn family members who may not be parishioners, but this is limited to the spouse, parents, grandparents, siblings, children and grandchildren of the purchaser. The family members do not have to be Catholic. The Pastor must approve any exceptions.
A limited number of niches will be available for purchase by active and registered Catholics from other local parishes without columbarium facilities at their home parish.
Yes. A special wall adjacent to the Columbarium contains plaques that commemorate loved ones who may be buried elsewhere with an inscription of the name of the deceased.
No.
Our columbarium has been built to accommodate two six inch by six inch cube urns in each niche. Local funeral homes have these readily available.
No. The Columbarium site will be perpetually maintained in a manner designed to be beautiful, serene, holy and edifying. Temporary items left at the time of death will be removed by the grounds crew per their schedule.
Yes.
Contact Mike Unruh about plaques and niches.