Burial Vs Cremation

[dUSt]

Ever since visiting Ireland and seeing all the really old cemeteries that were always on church property, I've had a desire to be buried as close to an altar as possible.

 

Obviously, with most cemeteries nowadays, that's not likely. But... My parish has a St Francis Garden, which is right in between the main church and the adoration chapel. Literally, yards from the main altar. They allow ashes to be buried in this garden, providing they are not in a container.

 

I told my wife this is where I want to be when I die. One, because the thought of my remains being so close to the Eucharist is comforting, but two, I like the idea of my family paying their respects and "visiting" me at the church instead of at a cemetery somewhere.

 

Thoughts?

 

My wife said she's not gonna do this because she wants me to have a gravestone, so it probably won't happen anyway, but still. There's a chance she dies first.

[CatherineM]

My husband and I are going to be cremated. We've already bought our niches in the Ukranian Catholic Cemetary not far from us. It's more economical, and more environmental. I had cousins in the funeral business, so I know what is involved in embalming, and refuse to have that done to my body.

If the church allowed it, I'd love to be made into an artificial reef ball, but having a headstone gives people a place to focus their grief.

[Era Might]

Whatever's cheapest, I'm not particular, but it'd be cool to be able to have a headstone and have a quote or something on it. I like Al Capone's headstone:

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/Al_Capone%27s_grave.jpg

Edited August 17, 2013 by Era Might

[Apotheoun]

Whatever's cheapest, I'm not particular, but it'd be cool to be able to have a headstone and have a quote or something on it. I like Al Capone's headstone:

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/Al_Capone%27s_grave.jpg

My mother's cremation actually cost more than burying my grandmother. But my grandmother did only want to be buried in a pine box, and did not want to be embalmed.

[Didacus]

I subscribe to Saint Monique's (mother of St. Augustine) approach; let me body and death cause no inconveniences. 

 

I actually hope to have my body thrown at sea (the ocean).  No tombstone, no burial.  Quick clean and easy.

[Didacus]

Whatever's cheapest, I'm not particular, but it'd be cool to be able to have a headstone and have a quote or something on it. I like Al Capone's headstone:

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/Al_Capone%27s_grave.jpg

 

My Jesus Mercy?

 

I don't get it...  Maybe I'm just slow or something.

[Era Might]

My Jesus Mercy?

 

I don't get it...  Maybe I'm just slow or something.

 

My Jesus Mercy...what's not to get?

[Didacus]

Maybe we're both slow?

:spike:

[FutureCarmeliteClaire]

I just want to be put in a casket and straight into the ground when I die. I mean, I may donate some organs if I can, but aside from that I want everything intact when I'm buried.

[CatherineM]

If they approve freeze drying by then, I'd do that, but not embalming.

[HisChildForever]

I just want to be put in a casket and straight into the ground when I die. I mean, I may donate some organs if I can, but aside from that I want everything intact when I'm buried.

 

I agree. When I see pictures/film of people who've been cremated -- whether they're people I knew or celebrities -- it just leaves me with a weird feeling. I can't explain it. That's just me though.

[havok579257]

I subscribe to Saint Monique's (mother of St. Augustine) approach; let me body and death cause no inconveniences. 

 

I actually hope to have my body thrown at sea (the ocean).  No tombstone, no burial.  Quick clean and easy.

 

 

I thought scattering ashes was not allowed?  I thought you have to be buried even if cremated.

[Annie12]

I don't know about y'all but I want a mausoleum. :love:

Edited August 18, 2013 by Annie12

[dUSt]

Besides the burial vs cremation thing, what are y'alls thoughts on being buried close to an altar? Like, saints and stuff are buried under/close to altars.

[Basilisa Marie]

Scattering ashes isn't allowed.  The Church used to not allow cremation, but now they do as long as the ashes all go in one place, in the ground (or in a mausoleum, or other appropriate ground-like place, not on your kid's fireplace mantle). 

 

What you might be able to do is get cremated, put in the garden, and then get a tombstone or other grave maker made.  Might be a good compromise, because they have someplace specific to go to, but you get to have your bodily remains close to the Eucharist. :) 

 

Personally, I want to be buried, in the ground. I like cemeteries, the idea of a peaceful, beautiful place to go and remember your loved ones. But that opinion might change someday.  I've altar served at funerals with a body and with just the box of cremated remains, and I definitely would rather have my body at my funeral.