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Practice of Cremation
n In 1963, the Catholic Church lifted the prohibition
forbidding Catholics to choose cremation. The permission was incorporated
into the revised Code of Canon Law of 1983 (Canon #1176), as well as into
the Order of Christian Funerals.
“The Church strongly prefers
cremation to take place after the full funeral liturgy with the body. The
presence of the body most clearly brings to mind the life and death of
the person and better expresses the values that the Church affirms in its
rites”(Church and Cremation, para.3).
“The body forcefully brings to mind
our belief that our human bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and
destined for future glory at the resurrection of the dead. When the rites
of the Order of Christian Funerals are fully celebrated they ritualize
the journey from life through death to the fullness of God” (OCF
412).
Disposition and Memorialization
of Human Cremated remains
“The Human Cremated remains of a
body should be treated with the same respect given to the human body from
which they come. This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain the
ashes, the manner in which they are carried, the care and attention to
appropriate placement and transport, and their final disposition. The Human
Cremated remains should be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum
or columbarium. The practice of scattering Human Cremated remains on the
sea, from the air, or on the ground or keeping Human Cremated remains in
the home of a relative or a friend of the deceased are not the
reverent dispositions that the Church requires. Whenever possible,
appropriate means for memorializing the deceased should be utilized, such
as a plaque or stone that records the name of the deceased” (OCF
426).
Arrangements should be made with the
family of the deceased or funeral director and cemetery for proper
handling of the Human Cremated remains. The Human Cremated remains should
be treated with respect when handled, transported and finally put to
rest.
Cremation Requirements
- Original “Certificate of Right of
Interment/Entombment” must be presented to cemetery. If lost
or misplaced, a notarized affidavit must be signed by original owner
or ALL SURVIVING HEIRS, if the owner is deceased.
- Original crematory slip.
- Signed Archdiocesan authorization from
original owner or all surviving heirs
- Check for current opening fee; MasterCard
and Visa are accepted.
- All paperwork must be sent and approved by
the cemetery office, prior to Human Cremated remains being mailed to
cemetery. Any Human Cremated remains sent without prior approval
will be refused and returned.
- Twelve working hours are required to open a
grave for Human Cremated remains.
- If a priest is requested to be present at
the time of interment it is up to the funeral director or family to
make the arrangements.
- For the protection and sanctity of the Human
Cremated remains, the Archdiocese of Newark requires all Human
Cremated remains to be interred in an urn vault. The type of urn vault and sizes are
outlined herein:
The maximum
external dimensions of the urn vault should not exceed 16” long x 16”
wide x 19” high or not less than 14” long x 9” wide x
13” high. Any deviation in
size is subject to space availability and certificate rights within the
grave.
- Please keep in mind, the family placing the
order is taking the responsibility of a funeral director and will
have the gravesite service conducted in a timely fashion, as are all
funerals.
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