Many take it for granted that the “Order of Christian Funerals,” which includes the Reception of the Body, the Vigil Service (Wake), and Holy Mass, will culminate at the Catholic cemetery with the Rite of Committal, prayers at the graveside and interment. More and more today this isn’t the case.
On entering to greet a third-grade class, a little girl’s hand shot up with a sense of urgency. I couldn’t avoid calling on her. “My grandma died,” she reported matter-of-factly. Stunned, I responded with “I’m sure she’s in a good place” and “One day you’ll see her again.” The girl answered instantly: “I know she is. I saw her this morning; her ashes are on our kitchen table.”
In Sacred Scripture
The Books of Maccabees emphasizes the importance of giving the dead a proper burial, portraying it as a sacred and religious duty. Maccabees also connects the practice of burying the dead and praying for them with a belief in the resurrection. Proper burial distinguishes the pious from the ungodly, whose bodies were treated with dishonor. In the Gospel narratives, in sharp contrast to the way Jesus was cruelly treated on Calvary, his body is prepared for burial with gentleness and great care by Joseph of Arimathea and others, then placed in the tomb.
In Tradition
Note that many Catholic churches in Rome, particularly the major basilicas, are built on or near the tombs of martyrs or other saints. This practice began in the 4th century. In many cases, churches were built in these sacred locations to honor the martyrs and allow pilgrims to venerate their relics. “Following the most ancient Christian tradition, the Church insistently recommends that the bodies of the deceased be buried in cemeteries or other sacred places” (Ad resurgendum cum Christo, #3).
The Human Body is Sacred
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the Christian meaning of death is revealed in the light of the Paschal mystery of the death and resurrection of Christ, in whom resides our only hope (CCC 1681). Therefore, the bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity; and burial is above all the most fitting way to express this (CCC 2300). In life and death, the human body is sacred. The body washed in baptism, anointed in Confirmation and nourished by the Body and Blood of the Lord is a temple of the Holy Spirit. In death, the sacredness of the body is not lost. Care should be taken to reverence the dignity of each person, remembering what each has done in the body in imitation of our Lord.
Cremation
The Catechism explains that creation is permitted, “provided that it does not demonstrate a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body” (CCC 2301). The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has clear instructions reflecting the Church’s teaching the about the placement of the cremated remains in a cemetery or place of respect such as a mausoleum or columbarium.
This November, as we pray with greater intention for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed, make it a point to visit the cemetery. Pray the “Our Father,” three “Hail Mary’s” and a “Glory Be” for the eternal rest of deceased family and friends. Place flowers and other mementos if permitted at the grave. Offer a Mass for the deceased. Light a candle in church.
This November, our Diocesan Cemeteries will offer a discount for the interment of cremated remains of any Catholic who has yet to be interred or placed in a columbarium. If you haven’t yet given your loved one a proper burial, please consider this invitation. Please call the diocesan Office of Catholic Cemeteries for further details: 401-944-8383.
A few months ago, I received a text message from a priest friend. He was in Toledo, Ohio, at Calvary Cemetery, and had just finished graveside prayers. The text included a photo of a headstone with the family name LEWANDOWSKI on it. His message made me smile. “I saw your name as I was leaving the cemetery. Any chance you know these folks? I said a prayer for them.” The “folks” as he called them are my grandparents. I thanked him for his prayer and said a prayer for them myself. His kind gesture filled me with feelings of gratitude. I felt grateful for my grandparents, for the good people that visit cemeteries, and for our Catholic practice of holding sacred the places where our loved ones are laid to rest.
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.”
Let us help you with a sacred burial of your loved one(s), more at https://provd.io/NovDiscount
