CBCP sets guidelines for cremation

While it now accepts the practice of cremation, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) laid down guidelines to ensure the life and memory of the departed is honored. In a statement posted on the CBCP Web site Wednesday night, the CBCP said the Catholic Church holds that the cremated remains of the body be treated with respect, including the use of a “worthy urn" for it. “When cremation is held after funeral Mass, the rite of final commendation and committal conclude the Mass. While cremation is taking place, the family and friends of the deceased are encouraged to gather in prayer," said the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Liturgy (ECL). The ECL also strongly prefers that cremation take place after or before the funeral Mass, adding a liturgy of the “Word" may be celebrated or devotional prayers like the holy rosary may be said. It said the Church’s belief in the sacredness of life and the resurrection of the dead asks the faithful to celebrate funeral liturgies with the body or ashes present while affirming the value of human life. “When cremation precedes the funeral Mass, the rite of final commendation and committal may be performed in the crematorium chapel before cremation. After cremation the funeral Mass may be celebrated in the presence of the cremated remains," the ECL said in its Guidelines for Cremation. If funeral Mass is not celebrated, the funeral liturgy is held in the presence of the remains. The rite of final commendation and committal concludes the Mass or the funeral liturgy, it added. Also, the Church also requires the columbaria be built in a separate chapel adjacent to the church or in a crypt. Still, it said the Church continues to prefer and encourage the faithful to bury or entomb the bodies of their departed loved ones. "But if cremation is chosen for worthy motives, the church wishes to support the faithful in honoring the life and memory of the departed," it said. The CBCP said cremation is only prohibited if the person choosing such method is doing so to deny church teachings, especially that of the resurrection of the dead and the immortality of the soul. - GMANews.TV