Last weekend I quoted from the Church's official teaching on cremation. It says "Although cremation is now permitted by the Church, it does not enjoy the same value as burial of the body. The Church clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased person be present for the funeral rites." My experience as a priest is that when a body is present for the vigil/rosary service and for the Mass for the deceased person, the people (family and friends) are given a unique opportunity to grieve the loss of the person in a way that is unlike when the cremains of the person are present.
Funeral homes can make it possible for cremation to take place after the funeral rites. The family would then gather at the place of internment a few days after the funeral with a priest or deacon for the final prayers and blessing of the person's resting place. I ask that, if cremation is your decision for yourself and/or your loved one, that you consider the Church's teaching on the value of having the body of a deceased person present for the funeral rites and inform your family and me of your desires for yourself and your loved one. If immediate cremation is your final decision, know that it is permitted to have the cremains present at the rosary/vigil service and/or the funeral Mass. Practical and logistical factors with regard to all of this, should, of course, be recognized and considered.
Funeral homes can make it possible for cremation to take place after the funeral rites. The family would then gather at the place of internment a few days after the funeral with a priest or deacon for the final prayers and blessing of the person's resting place. I ask that, if cremation is your decision for yourself and/or your loved one, that you consider the Church's teaching on the value of having the body of a deceased person present for the funeral rites and inform your family and me of your desires for yourself and your loved one. If immediate cremation is your final decision, know that it is permitted to have the cremains present at the rosary/vigil service and/or the funeral Mass. Practical and logistical factors with regard to all of this, should, of course, be recognized and considered.