On the occasion of the Feast of “All Saints’ Day” and “All
Souls’ Day”, the question that is usually asked whether Cremation is acceptable to the Universal
Catholic Church. The answer thereto has
been given again and again – and again!
But up to these times, for one reason or another, the question is still
heard here and there, in this or that occasion.
It is wherefore neither really futile nor irrelevant to give the
official answer to the query - taking good note of the following ethical and moral
realities:
First, the Good Book itself as above quoted already
forwarded the undeniable truth that the human body – a composite of dust itself
– when left behind by the human spirit that gives thereto, has but one standard
eventual way to go, viz., back to
dust. So it is usually considered an
enigma if not a downright miracle when a dead human body does not undergo
decomposition, does not go back to dust without any artificial means adopted
precisely to preserve it.
Second, on proviso that cremation is not resorted to for
questionable intentions such as anger, hatred or anything the like, then it is
considered ethically sound and morally right to do so – such as for any of the
following reasons: It has become more
and more costly to embalm a dead body, to place it in a decent coffin, to hold
a vigil for it and to finally bring it to a cemetery wherein even burial has become
costly.
Third, after the cremation, there are two main options for
those remaining behind in conjunction with the ashes left behind by their
dearly beloved. One, these are likewise
buried in a cemetery. Two, these are
buried in a so-called “Columbarium” built by and affiliated with this or that
Parish Church. The following however are
forbidden: One, keeping the ashes at home. Two, throwing the ashes to the wind and/or
the sea.
There is something else that is worth remembering: As “All
Saints’ Day” is time set aside to recall, celebrate, and pray to the spirit
of the departed already in the heavenly Kingdom, so it is that “All Souls’ Day” is time set aside and
meant for praying for the souls of the departed so that the same will
eventually go to the heavenly Kingdom.
The former is “Praying to”. The latter is “Prayer for”. So it is that
both Days are meant for praying – although making it also a Family Day is not
exactly wrong.
It is worth noting that a great number of people go to the
cemeteries on “All Saints’ Day” while
relatively few of them go thereto on “All
Souls’ Day”. Why? This is customary. But why has such become customary? It is because most people want to think,
suppose and feel that their dear departed are worth praying to whereas they are
already saints (small “s”). The rest of
them want to think, suppose and feel that their dear departed are still but
souls in need or prayers in order to become saints (small “s”) themselves in
due time.
Be what it may, “All
Saints’ Day” and “All Saints’ Day”
are meant for those departed – not for those still around.
