At one time, the Catholic Church did not approve of the practice of cremation because of its historical ties to the persecution of Christians and a rejection of the belief in the Resurrection.  However, today the Church recognizes that people choose cremation for a variety of reasons that are not in conflict with the Church’s teaching on life, death and resurrection.  The Church not only allows cremation, but also has developed a specific liturgy for Masses with the cremated remains present, Memorial Masses, and Committal services.

The Vatican revised Church teaching on cremation in 1963; the Code of Canon Law now states: “The Church permits cremation, provided that it does not demonstrate a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body.” (Can 1176)