Burials Are Out, So Cemetery Hopes It Can Cash In

Newhouse News ^ | 8/7/2007 | Anna Griffin

[Zetman]

The Church permits cremation, provided that it does not demonstrate a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body.

Dang uncatechized catechism writers!

Yes, the article gets into that later on, in the "non-historical" part - where the author is arguing his position that older Chruch Traditions must be maintained. "Uncatechized" was not the best word I could have used, since the concept of cremation does indeed appear in more recent Catechisms. Whether or not this is good or bad is a separate topic of discussion.

[Larry Lucido]

Actually, you said “poorly Catechised,” and I inadvertantly changed it.

I guess my thing is that if the Church permits it (with the noted qualification), then as far as a good Catholic is concerned, it’s permitted, history notwithstanding.

Historically, some Church officials may have condemned the practice without qualification - but then, some Church officials approved of the live cremation of “heretics,” too, so historical backdrop is of limited import.

[Billthedrill]

I just want my ashes scattered at a Code Pink rally.

By a claymore mine.

[coop71]

“Slowly decaying isn’t much better, if you’re conscious of what’s going on.”

What’s that smell?!

[inrepose]

Memorializing and archiving family information and stories and facts is all moving, like all information, to the internet. That way, you can have a centralized family “plot” even if you are cremated and scattered in the ocean, your great grandfather is buried in Ireland and your Mother is in an urn in California.

I have always loved the beauty of cemeteries and yet, felt the stories of the people were hopelessly hidden. It no longer has to be that way!

We discuss these issues and more at InRepose, and offer multimedia online memorials too.

By the way, there is a facinating new form of reducing the body to ash in a cleaner way, its called resomation. See my blog post here:
http://inrepose.typepad.com/in_repose_blog/2007/08/resomation-is-n.html

[Patriotic1]

tradition vs Tradition. I’d just as soon be cremated - on Ash Wednesday we’re told that we are dust. I can just get to that state a little faster. I trust God will know how to put me back together!

[Titan Magroyne]

When you get your 21-gun salute, the soldiers hand the next-of-kin the empty shell casings. I'm gonna have my son put some ashes in each of them and have them sealed with a soldered lid--for my kids. (They can toss the rest of the ashes.) I keep trying to get my daddy to agree to do this too.
Matra fact, that is a ROCKIN idea. I imagine a jeweler could be induced to etch your name, rank, service & dates on them, tho cost may be prohibitive.

I love old cemeteries with their personalised markers. But I will join the ranks of crematees when my time comes. Can't see much point in taking up more reale estate.

I've always thought it grotesque to pretty up a dead body with makeup for the odd ceremony of ppl saying, "Look how pretty/handsome." They lie! LOL Nobody looks like they did when alive after a stranger gets done smearing their faces and styling their hair. For Pete's sake, recognise the validity of the dead human vessel. It's simply another stage of this earthly life cycle.

(Besides, after all that expert cosmetic attention, wouldn't it just blow chunks if everyone walks away thinking you look better than in life? Heh heh)

That said, I will honor my mother's wishes for the traditional treatment, including the viewing. Blecch

[Pan_Yans Wife]

My father-in-law and brother-in-law are Southern Baptist pastors. They believe that cremation is fine, as long as the remains are either stored, buried or scattered with respect.