A baptized and practicing Catholic ought to have a Catholic burial. “To bury the dead” and “to pray for the dead” are corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The funeral Vigil, Mass and Committal are the rites of a Catholic burial. In some circumstances, however, these can be abbreviated to a Vigil and/or Committal only. Cremation is permitted, on condition that the cremains/ashes are: (1) buried immediately; (2) not scattered or made into jewelry. In death we retain our human dignity. The body may be in a different form, but it is still sacred, being once the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Professional funeral directors know very well how to arrange funerals; let them handle the arrangements for which you pay them. “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual Light shine upon them. May their sous and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”