The Catholic Church has specific rules and guidelines regarding burial practices that are rooted in tradition, theology, and canon law. Here is an overview of the Church’s teachings on burial and why burial in the ground is required for Catholics.
Quick Answers
– Catholics are required to be buried in consecrated ground or a Catholic cemetery after death as part of the Church’s teachings on respect for the body.
– Burial in the ground is preferred over cremation, although cremated remains may be buried in consecrated ground.
– The Church teaches that burying the body intact allows for the process of natural decomposition while the soul awaits resurrection.
– Catholic cemeteries have consecrated ground, meaning it is set aside and blessed for the burial of Catholics.
– Canon law states Catholics must be denied ecclesiastical funerals if they choose to be cremated for reasons contrary to Christian teaching.
Why Full-Body Burial is Required
The Catholic belief in the resurrection of the body at the end of time is a key reason for requiring full-body burial. The Church teaches that after death, the soul is separated from the body but at the final resurrection the body will be reunited with the soul and rise in glory. As the Catechism states:
The “resurrection of the flesh” (the literal formulation of the Apostles’ Creed) means not only that the immortal soul will live on after death, but that even our “mortal body” will come to life again. (CCC 990)
Therefore, the Church requires preserving the body intact through burial rather than cremation. The body is seen as a creation made in God’s image and it is not permitted to willfully or deliberately destroy it. As the Vatican stated in 2016:
By burying the bodies of the faithful, the Church confirms her faith in the resurrection of the body, and intends to show the great dignity of the human body as an integral part of the human person whose body forms part of their identity. (Instruction Ad resurgendum cum Christo)
Difference Between Burial and Cremation
The Church permits cremation as long as it is not chosen for reasons against Church teaching. However, burial is still the preferred option. The Vatican explains it this way:
The Church continues to prefer the practice of burying the bodies of the deceased, because this shows a greater esteem towards the deceased. Nevertheless, cremation is not prohibited, “unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine.” (CCC 2301)
When a body is cremated, the ashes must ultimately be buried in consecrated ground. Keeping ashes in a home or spreading them is not permitted. By requiring burial of ashes, the Church is able to maintain her beliefs about the body awaiting resurrection.
Requirements for Catholic Cemeteries
For a Catholic to receive a full funeral and burial, they must be buried in a Catholic cemetery or other consecrated ground. Canon law outlines the requirements for Catholic cemeteries:
Where possible, the Church is to have its own cemeteries or at least areas in civil cemeteries that are designated for the deceased members of the faithful and properly blessed. (Canon 1240 §1)
Catholic cemeteries are blessed and consecrated, typically by the local bishop or his delegate. Consecration dedicates the ground to God and separates it from all profane use.
Canon law also states:
Where there are no cemeteries, however, then after the local ordinary has listened to the Episcopal Conference the deceased members of the faithful can be buried in the blessed cemeteries of another Church sui iuris; but in this case, the local ordinary is to see to it that a priest delegated by him blesses the grave. (Canon 1240 §2)
Therefore, if a Catholic cemetery is not available, a grave in another Christian cemetery can be blessed and designated for Catholic burial. But the ground must be blessed by a Catholic priest to make it acceptable.
Grave Blessings and Prayers
The Order of Christian Funerals has prayers and blessings that priests use to consecrate Catholic cemeteries and graves. The rite states:
The celebrant blesses the grave with holy water, saying: “In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our brother/sister N.; and we commit his/her body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.”
Prayers then invoke God to grant the deceased eternal rest and peace. This act of blessing and laying the body to rest in sacred ground reflects the Church’s deep reverence for the body.
Denying Church Funerals
If a Catholic knowingly and deliberately chooses cremation or burial practices that contradict Church teaching, canon law prohibits granting them a Church funeral and burial in consecrated ground. The Code of Canon Law states:
Manifest sinners who cannot be granted ecclesiastical funerals without public scandal of the faithful are to be deprived of ecclesiastical funerals unless before death they gave some signs of repentance. (Canon 1184 §1)
And regarding cremation specifically:
The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burial be retained; but it does not forbid cremation, unless this is chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching. (Canon 1176 §3)
However, the local bishop can make decisions in particular cases for pastoral reasons. But in general, deliberately avoiding Catholic burial norms means forfeiting a Catholic funeral.
Past Controversies Over Cremation
Cremation was historically forbidden by the Catholic Church because it was associated with ancient pagan practices and a denial of the resurrection. In the 1800s some secret societies like the Freemasons promoted cremation to undermine Catholic doctrine.
The Church first lifted the ban on cremation in 1963, though maintained its preference for burial. And in 1997, the Vatican permitted Catholic funeral rites for those choosing cremation, paving the way for more widespread acceptance.
Conclusion
In summary, the Catholic Church mandates burial of the body or ashes in consecrated ground due to its beliefs about the body, resurrection, and saving rituals. While cremation is now permitted in many cases, full-body burial remains the preferred choice. By requiring burial in Catholic cemeteries, the Church affirms her teachings on the sanctity of human life and the body and offers comfort to the living through sacred rituals.