As cremation has become more popular—with the US cremation rate at over 60% in 2024 and its expected rise to over 80% in the next 20 years—the Vatican, like other religious institutions, has struggled to keep pace with the growing trend. The Vatican’s view on cremation has changed, as today the Vatican now allows Catholic families to preserve a small portion of their loved one’s cremains in a place of significance to them instead of a church or a cemetery.
The Vatican’s Evolving Stance on Cremation
The Vatican’s views on cremation have evolved over the years, as cremation has long been a topic of debate within the Catholic community. Today the Vatican continues to ease and reshape the Catholic’s Church’s views that once forbade cremation to a much more accepting stance in response to the growing cultural preference for cremation.
In 2023 the Vatican updated its instruction for the dissemination of ashes. In a letter, later signed by the Pope, Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna states that a portion of the ashes may commingle and be spread in a special place, following specific guidelines. This change marks a significant push for reform and reflects the changing attitudes of today. Discover how the Vatican’s stance on the practice of cremation has changed over the centuries.
Vatican’s View on Cremation: 1886
Cremation grew greatly in popularity during the 19th century as an acceptable funeral custom largely due to the concern for hygiene, conservation of land and the rise of aesthetic views.
Towards the end of the 19th century, the Church officially condemned the practice of cremation in 1886, in response to its early proponents who specifically saw cremation as a way of denying the Christian teachings of life after death and the resurrection of the body.
Vatican’s View on Cremation: 1917
The Church’s 1886 rejection of cremation was further reinforced in the 1917 Code of Canon Law, the law which governs the Church’s way of life. The law (no 1203) forbade cremation and stated that anyone cremated must be denied a church funeral, except in instances of public necessity like natural disasters or during dangerous infection outbreaks.
Vatican’s View on Cremation: 1963
After decades of debate, the first move towards permitting cremation came in 1963 when the Vatican’s Holy Office (now the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith) changed its stance on cremation and lifted the prohibition on Catholics to choose cremation.
The new instruction officially allowed cremation after the celebration of the funeral rites where the physical body was present. The instruction stated:
“In circumstances when cremation is chosen because of sanitary, economic or social considerations, this choice must never violate the explicitly-stated or the reasonably inferable wishes of the deceased faithful. The Church raises no doctrinal objections to this practice, since cremation of the deceased’s body does not affect his or her soul, nor does it prevent God, in his omnipotence, from raising up the deceased body to new life. Thus cremation, in and of itself, objectively negates neither the Christian doctrine of the soul’s immortality nor that of the resurrection of the body.”
However, the instruction also stated that the ashes must be laid to rest in a sacred place, like a cemetery or, in certain cases, in a church or an area, which has been set aside for this purpose. The rationale was to prevent the departed from being forgotten, or their remains from being shown a lack of respect.
This instruction prevented scattering ashes outdoors, dividing up ashes and keepsakes for ashes so that the appearance of pantheism, naturalism or nihilism would be avoided
Vatican’s View on Cremation: 1983
The Vatican’s permission to allow for cremation was incorporated into the revised Code of Canon Law of 1983 (Canon # 1176), as well as into the Order of Christian Funerals. It then became standard practice to celebrate the funeral liturgies with the body and then take the body to the crematorium.
Vatican’s View on Cremation: 1997
In 1997, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments granted an indult for the United States to allow the diocesan bishop to permit the presence of the cremated remains of a body at a Funeral Mass.
Later that year the Congregation confirmed the special texts and ritual directives, which were then published as an appendix to the Order of Christian Funerals. The Order of Christian Funerals’ Appendix on Cremation stated:
“Although cremation is now permitted by the Church, it does not enjoy the same value as burial of the body. The Church clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral rites , since the presence of the human body better expresses the values which the Church affirms in those rites.”
The preference at this time, was if a family choose cremation, the cremation would take place at some time after the Funeral Mass, so that there could be an opportunity for the Vigil for the Deceased in the presence of the body (during “visitation” or “viewing” at a church or funeral home).
Vatican’s View on Cremation: 2016
In 2016 the Vatican again issued revised guidelines in response to the growing popularity of cremations. At that time, the guidelines stipulated that ashes of the dead must be laid to rest in “a sacred place”—like a church or a graveyard—and not kept at home. Ashes of the dead must also not be scattered “in the air, on land, at sea or in some other way, nor may they be preserved in mementos, pieces of jewelry or other objects.” Those who wished to have their ashes scattered were to be denied Catholic funerals.
Vatican’s View on Cremation: 2023
Because of the increasing popularity of scattering ashes, in the latest 2023 issuance by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican declared it will allow families to keep part of their loved one’s ashes in a special place of meaning.
What this means is that Catholic families may now request to preserve a portion of their loved one’s cremains in place special to them instead of a church or a cemetery, according to the Vatican, in an easing of its stance on the practice.
In the new instructions signed by Catholic doctrinal prefect Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández of Argentina and approved by Pope Francis Dec. 9, 2023, ashes can also now be mixed in common cinerary urns, provided that they indicate the identity of each of the deceased “as not to lose the memory of their names.”
Cardinal Zuppi said in his letter, dated Oct. 30, that his archdiocese had been seeking “to give a Christian response to problems arising from the increasing number of people desiring to cremate the bodies of the deceased and scatter their ashes in nature.”
What This Means for You
Today, the Catholic Church accepts cremation in all circumstances, although it still recommends traditional burials when possible. However, with burial space becoming increasingly scarce and costly, many families find themselves exploring cremation.
For many Catholic families, Better Place Forests offers a spiritual, meaningful and respectful option. Its Memorial Forests located coast to coast in iconic locations, provide a serene and protected environment where cremated remains can be returned to the earth respectfully. This approach aligns with the Vatican’s views and offers a modern, environmentally conscious alternative to traditional burials.
Remembered Respectfully
Many of our Catholic customers find solace in the tranquility of a Memorial Forest. They feel closer to God in nature, appreciating the chance to be laid to rest at the base of a dedicated Memorial Tree in a protected Memorial Forest.
Better Place Forests Forest Memorial ceremonies are conducted in beautiful, natural settings, offering a peaceful and intimate experience. The ceremony can be customized to reflect your spiritual preference around your private Memorial Tree, and a Memorial Marker will mark the location, providing a place for loved ones to visit and honor your loved one’s legacy and memory.
Planning Your Legacy
Choosing Better Place Forests promises a protected Memorial Tree that stands as a living tribute for generations to come. If you have questions, we are here to guide families of different faiths. Whether starting your end-of-life plans or ready to reserve your Memorial Tree, our team is here to help. Book a free online consultation and begin planning a meaningful legacy that aligns with your values and vision.
We’re Here to Help
Need help with memorial options? We have Guides to help.
See our Privacy Policy to learn how we use your information.
