Since the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country, the Vatican’s new stipulations on cremation would probably be of great interest to many Pinoys. It’s also timely — what with All Souls’ Day coming up on Nov 2.
A Reuters report noted: “The Roman Catholic Church prefers burial over cremation and wants ashes of the dead to be kept in ‘sacred places,’ not at home, divided among family members or scattered to the wind. A two-page instruction issuing new rules on cremation also said that there were even some cases where a Christian funeral could be denied to those who request that ashes be scattered.”
The instruction from the Vatican’s Department of Doctrine pointed out: “The conservation of the ashes of the departed in a domestic residence is not permitted except in grave and exceptional cases to be decided by the local bishop.”
The report likewise recalled that “for centuries, the Catholic Church prohibited cremation because it clashed with teachings about the resurrection of the body in the Last Judgment at the end of the world.” The Chuch started allowing cremation in 1963 but has reportedly “always frowned on the practice.”
The document was, which was approved by Pope Francis, also reiterates that “a Christian funeral could be denied if a person requests scattering of ashes as a means to mock the faith.”
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