I still can’t figure out why anyone would see this ritual as beautiful except they’ve been so conditioned to body parts and death and copses that ashes would just be one more thing to give the priest a purpose for being a Priest.
If they ever saw the truth the priesthood ceased altogether there would be no catholic church.
Because our religion is ancient and has lived through tumultuous times - like I said, the Black Death and numerous plagues.
Death is a part of life and you need to get used to it - because like me, you’ll one day be wormwood.