Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cindy47452/2876871918/
Publisher: American Catholic
Author: Marion Amberg
Article Excerpts:
Dust to Dust:
…Geographically, the percentage of Catholic cremations varies widely and is closely tied to state trends. Rates are highest in the far western states but substantially lower in the South, where more faithful seem to reverence the traditional funeral and burial…
Lifting the Ban
…In 1997 the rules were relaxed even more: American bishops received an indult that permitted the presence of cremated remains at the funeral Mass. (Canadian bishops were granted a similar indult in 1985.) A random survey by this writer suggests about 30 percent of cremations today occur before the funeral…
Works of Mercy
…Bereavement ministry isn’t solely for survivors; it also consoles and assists the dying in planning their last rites. A few weeks before my father died, he, my sister and his pastor met to discuss his funeral. Dad had been a devout Catholic all his life and wanted the funeral to reflect his faith.
“I was comforted by the priest’s willingness to work with us and respect Dad’s final request,” says my sister, Rita Waldref. “We chose Scripture readings and music that spoke of Dad, his faith-walk and his family.” As Dad would have liked, the funeral Mass was a community and family celebration…
Grave Responsibilities
…In the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, about 45 to 50 percent of Catholics are being buried in Catholic cemeteries, estimates John Cherek, director of the archdiocesan-run cemeteries. That number compares with 75 to 80 percent in 1960.
Where have all the Catholics gone? To other cemeteries, for one thing: The Vatican no longer mandates that Catholics be buried in a Church cemetery. Another reason is cultural practices that suggest burial of the remains is not necessary…