Do Catholics Cremate?

[Tony]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1350883792' post='2495851']
Yeah, I cannot imagine disrespect of mortal remains being anything other than grave matter.

Heh heh. Grave. Perfect.
[/quote]

[img]http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t162/the_ether/lolz/badum.jpg[/img]

[GeorgiiMichael]

Why is it disrespectful to hold onto the cremains at one's house? Many people have 1st class relics in their homes that they display on a shelf or mantle, how is that any different from holding onto the cremains of a loved one?

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='GeorgiiMichael' timestamp='1350972060' post='2496241']
Why is it disrespectful to hold onto the cremains at one's house? Many people have 1st class relics in their homes that they display on a shelf or mantle, how is that any different from holding onto the cremains of a loved one?
[/quote]
They are not relics. Two very different scenarios.
Cremated remains are treated basically the same as bodies, and it would also be inappropriate to keep a body in a house.

As Groo posted:

[color=#000000][b]2300[/b] The bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity, in faith and hope of the Resurrection. The burial of the dead is a corporal work of mercy;[sup][url="http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/epub/index.cfm#note3070"]92[/url][/sup] it honors the children of God, who are temples of the Holy Spirit. ([url="http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/epub/29-chapter12.xhtml#para1681"]1681-1690[/url])[/color]

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1350863732' post='2495762']
We have the option under the current Catechism, as long as it is not done as a sort of statement against the resurrection. And, of course, as long as the remains are treated with respect, which includes [i]not[/i] sitting in an urn on someone's shelf.
[/quote]
we are not to scatter the ashes either as far as i'm aware.

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

[quote name='Light and Truth' timestamp='1350863489' post='2495760']
Do Catholics cremate bodies or just bury? Why? I know the Orthodox don't-something about our bodies being there for the resurrection.
[/quote]


Unsure as to whether we resurect in our old bodies or in new glorious body, whatever that means
<edit> although i have toyed with the idea of the resurection being a scintific gift to mankind from GOD where people can be resurected from there d.n.a., like on that movie 5th element. Which than leads me to ask whether there is still D.N.A in the ashes of a cremated body. I vote skyrise crypts with a prayer oasis on the lower floor with like a whole rainforrest setup, kinda like a morgue set up with shelves(or the catacombs) with flower vases attached to the draw and also computers at the oasis that tell you which floor the paticular persons body is on. And maybe even computer screens on the draws that tell you a bit about the persons life. RAZZLE DAZZLE.

Edited October 23, 2012 by Tab'le Du'Bah-Rye

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

[quote name='Winchester' timestamp='1350880557' post='2495832']
I'm going to be launched into space, and burned up on reentry. You will all breathe my corpse.
[/quote]


Than we will be coffin and splutterin'.

Edited October 23, 2012 by Tab'le Du'Bah-Rye

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

[quote name='GeorgiiMichael' timestamp='1350972060' post='2496241']
Why is it disrespectful to hold onto the cremains at one's house? Many people have 1st class relics in their homes that they display on a shelf or mantle, how is that any different from holding onto the cremains of a loved one?
[/quote]


Nice one, very interesting.

[GeorgiiMichael]

But Nihil, 1st class relics are pieces of the body of the saint, usually a piece of bone.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='GeorgiiMichael' timestamp='1351006420' post='2496306']
But Nihil, 1st class relics are pieces of the body of the saint, usually a piece of bone.
[/quote]
Yes, but not all bodies are relics.

[GeorgiiMichael]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1351010394' post='2496332']
Yes, but not all bodies are relics.
[/quote]

That's true, to a point. But a relic is a relic if people venerate it for good reason.

I guess the point I'm trying to make here is that it isn't inherently bad to keep the ashes of a loved one on a shelf or mantle, it only becomes bad when those living stop treating the remains with respect.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='GeorgiiMichael' timestamp='1351095910' post='2496981']
That's true, to a point. But a relic is a relic if people venerate it for good reason.

I guess the point I'm trying to make here is that it isn't inherently bad to keep the ashes of a loved one on a shelf or mantle, it only becomes bad when those living stop treating the remains with respect.
[/quote]

Keeping a relic is fundamentally different from keeping a body. I do not think a comparison really holds water here.

[GeorgiiMichael]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1351097164' post='2496991']
Keeping a relic is fundamentally different from keeping a body. I do not think a comparison really holds water here.
[/quote]
Maybe I'm missing something, but I'm not seeing a "fundamental difference". I can see practical differences, especially since many people do just "set and forget" their loved ones in urns. But that's again, not a fundamental difference. I can see the children/grandchildren of a very holy person wanting to venerate the remains. And in that way, it's not different from a relic at all.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='GeorgiiMichael' timestamp='1351111502' post='2497089']
Maybe I'm missing something, but I'm not seeing a "fundamental difference". I can see practical differences, especially since many people do just "set and forget" their loved ones in urns. But that's again, not a fundamental difference. I can see the children/grandchildren of a very holy person wanting to venerate the remains. And in that way, it's not different from a relic at all.
[/quote]

I believe you are overthinking this. If a person is not canonized a saint, then their body is a body, not a relic. Bodies must be treated with respect, which, after death, means a quick and dignified burial. Relics are subject to certain extra considerations, since a saint is worthy of veneration, but since it would be inappropriate theologically and pastorally to venerate someone not canonized (or at the very least beatified), those considerations do not apply to a 'regular' dead body.

You are correct in assuming that any body could become a relic, but the simple fact that it is not means that it cannot be treated like one. And that means burial, or at the very least cremation and interment.

[Mark of the Cross]

[quote name='InPersonaChriste' timestamp='1350885820' post='2495868']
And I am planning on being incorruptible....
[/quote]
I'm planning on being incorrigible !

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1351010394' post='2496332']
Yes, but not all bodies are relics.
[/quote]
Mine is an antique!

Edited October 24, 2012 by Mark of the Cross

[Mark of the Cross]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1350867064' post='2495780']
You put them on a shelf, and they may end up getting left behind and tossed out. When we cleaned out an apartment upstairs, a guy had left behind his parent's ashes. We took them to the police who actually have a procedure for it because it happens so often. Cop said most landlords just chuck them out.
[/quote]
My crucifix and Bible is on a shelf and is treated with the utmost of respect. I don't actually read the Bible, my monitor is much easier. The Bible is there for the same reason as the crucifix. It's a focal point and reminder of who and what I believe in. I wonder how many crucifix's and Bibles get tossed out by landlords?


[quote name='Tab'le Du'Bah-Rye' timestamp='1350979369' post='2496247']
Unsure as to whether we resurect in our old bodies or in new glorious body, whatever that means
<edit> although i have toyed with the idea of the resurection being a scintific gift to mankind from GOD where people can be resurected from there d.n.a., like on that movie 5th element. Which than leads me to ask whether there is still D.N.A in the ashes of a cremated body. I vote skyrise crypts with a prayer oasis on the lower floor with like a whole rainforrest setup, kinda like a morgue set up with shelves(or the catacombs) with flower vases attached to the draw and also computers at the oasis that tell you which floor the paticular persons body is on. And maybe even computer screens on the draws that tell you a bit about the persons life. RAZZLE DAZZLE.
[/quote]

[quote]Amen, amen I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falling into the ground die, [[url="http://drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=50&ch=12&l=24#x"]John 12:24[/url]] [[url="http://drbo.org/x/d?b=lvb&bk=50&ch=12&l=24#x"]Latin[/url]] [url="http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=50&ch=12&l=25#x"][25][/url] Itself remaineth alone. But if it die,[b] it bringeth forth much fruit.[/b][/quote]
Your mortal body replaced it's physical components a number of times throughout your life. The older bodies have more defects than the earlier ones. The body of the resurrection is immortal and free from all defect. It is not the[u] same physical[/u] body! It is the last and eternal body.