I conclude the summary of Pope Francis's directives on the burial of the deceased and conservation of the ashes, by quoting directly from the directive when it comes to proper care of the ashes of the faithful who have chosen cremation. "When for legitimate motives, cremation of the body has been chosen, the ashes of the faithful MUST be laid to rest in a sacred place, that is in a cemetery or, in certain cases, in a church or an area, which has been set aside for this purpose," (paragraph 5) - like our Columbarium.
"From the earliest times, Christians have desired that the faithful departed become the objects of the Christian Community's prayers and remembrance. Their tombs have become places of prayer, remembrance and reflection." (paragraph 5). The Pope is stressing the fact that the person who has died was, through the waters of Baptism, made a member of God's family, and therefore, his or her ashes should be kept in a public, sacred place (not a home) where the faithful can gather to pray for the deceased. The directives say that this prevents the faithful departed from being forgotten, or their remains from being shown a lack of respect, which eventually is possible, most especially once the immediately subsequent generation has, too, passed away. Also, it prevents any unfitting (i.e., scattering of ashes) or superstitious practices. It is clearly stated in paragraph 6 that given the reasons stated above, the conservation of the ashes in a domestic residence is NOT permitted. Only in grave and exceptional cases (with the permission of the bishop of the diocese) can this be done. In cases in which interment of ashes cannot be done immediately for various reasons (like weather and frozen ground), our Sacred Heart Columbarium committee has agreed to allow the temporary placement of cremains in one of our unsold niches for a period of time. I urge those who are, or who will, face this situation for a loved one, to talk to me about it, and we will try to accommodate the temporary storage of your loved ones cremains in our Columbarium.
"From the earliest times, Christians have desired that the faithful departed become the objects of the Christian Community's prayers and remembrance. Their tombs have become places of prayer, remembrance and reflection." (paragraph 5). The Pope is stressing the fact that the person who has died was, through the waters of Baptism, made a member of God's family, and therefore, his or her ashes should be kept in a public, sacred place (not a home) where the faithful can gather to pray for the deceased. The directives say that this prevents the faithful departed from being forgotten, or their remains from being shown a lack of respect, which eventually is possible, most especially once the immediately subsequent generation has, too, passed away. Also, it prevents any unfitting (i.e., scattering of ashes) or superstitious practices. It is clearly stated in paragraph 6 that given the reasons stated above, the conservation of the ashes in a domestic residence is NOT permitted. Only in grave and exceptional cases (with the permission of the bishop of the diocese) can this be done. In cases in which interment of ashes cannot be done immediately for various reasons (like weather and frozen ground), our Sacred Heart Columbarium committee has agreed to allow the temporary placement of cremains in one of our unsold niches for a period of time. I urge those who are, or who will, face this situation for a loved one, to talk to me about it, and we will try to accommodate the temporary storage of your loved ones cremains in our Columbarium.