Vatican Prefers Burial and Opposes Scattering Ashes

Lord knows Christians are scattering ashes in locations that are both meaningful and beautiful. Favorite fishing holes, golf courses, mountain vistas, parks and beyond. It doesn’t seem to matter where they as far as the Vatican is concerned. no where is good enough!

The second Italian-language edition of the ‘Funeral Rites’, produced by the Vatican Publishing House, was presented recently at the headquarters of Vatican Radio. Among other things, the new edition contains fully revised biblical texts and prayers.

The first innovation refers to the visit to the family, which was not part of the earlier edition. Msgr Angelo Lameri of the National Liturgical Office of the Italian Episcopal Conference, explained how “for a priest this a moment to share in the suffering, to listen to the mourning relatives, to learn about certain aspects of the deceased’s life with a view to a correct and personalised presentation during the funeral”.

Thou Should Not Scatter!

Another change involves the revised and enriched ritual for the closing of the coffin; with a number of different texts for various situations: an elderly person, a young person, or someone who has died unexpectedly.

Other changes involve the pronouncement of words recalling of the deceased at the moment of the committal, and the introduction of a broad range of possibilities for the prayer of the faithful.

However the most significant new departure, contained in the appendix of the book, concerns cremation. Msgr Lameri explained that the issue of cremation had been placed in an appendix to highlight the fact that the Church, “although she does not oppose the cremation of bodies, when not done ‘in odium fidei’, continues to maintain that the burial of the dead is more appropriate, that it expresses faith in the resurrection of the flesh, nourishes the piety of the faithful and favors the recollection and prayer of relatives and friends”.

In exceptional cases, the rites normally celebrated at the cemetery chapel or the tomb may be celebrated at the cremation site, and it is recommended that the coffin be accompanied to that site. One particularity important aspect is that “cremation is considered as concluded when the urn is deposited in the cemetery”. This is because,
although the law does allow ashes to be scattered in the open or conserved in places other than a cemetery, “such practices … raise considerable doubts as to their coherence to Christian faith, especially when they conceal pantheist or naturalistic beliefs”.

The new ‘Funeral Rites’ also focuses on the search for the meaning of death. Concluding the presentation, Bishop Alceste Catella, president of the Episcopal Commission for Liturgy, explained that “the book is testament to the faith of believers and to the importance of respect and ‘pietas’ towards the deceased, respect for the human body even when dead. It is testament to the pressing need to cultivate memory and to have a specific place in which to place the body or the ashes, in the profound certainty that this is authentic faith and authentic humanism”.

Here at Cremation Solutions we understand people are going to do what they want and often for disregard for the the rules of their church leaders. In the Jewish faith for example, cremation is strictly forbidden, yet I recent spoke recently to the owner of a Jewish funeral home in Florida who said he is now cremating 35% of the Jews he serves. He does not promote cremation at all, yet people continue to request it. Next thing you know dogs will be living with cats and watching kitty porn!

Christians now can choose to be scattered in the holiest land in all the world. Funeral homes are now working with a company called Holyland Ash Scattering. The company makes it easy to be scattered in their own private memorial scattering garden in Israel. Right along side the Jesus trail, where Jesus lived and taught his followers. People you use this service to return to the holy land are thrilled to be able to lay to rest the earthly remains of their loved ones on such sacred and protected grounds. Survivors can make the pilgrimage in the future and visit the memorial garden and reflect on the life that was, as they gaze out over the sea of Galilee. A popular trend now for people who choose to scatter, is to retain a portion of the ashes. With so many using cremation jewelry to keep and hold their loved one close to their heart and keepsake sized urns. I wonder what the Vatican thinks of people wearing jewelry that holds a portion of ashes. We may have to wait a couple hundred years to find out.

Scattering Ashes in the Holy Land
Serving Funeral Homes Everywhere

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Does Your Funeral Home Have Ghouls!

Sometimes there already there in the morning when you get to work. Lurking in the parking lot looking and trolling for tidbits, hoping you will tell them about your day. Many funeral homes have them and they don’t just come out around Halloween, although many of them are partial to that wonderful darkest of holidays. Where do they come from anyway? Even more pertinent when will they leave.

Almost every funeral home I ever worked at had these neighborhood trolls. They can be real pest and hard to chase off. I had one that would make an appointments to change his pre-arrangements every month, always asking questions that would even make Caleb Wilde uncomfortable. OHHHH now you know what I’m talking about! did a name or two just jump to the front of your mind.Some look and act perfectly harmless, that is until they get under your skin and begin to infect your very soul. The more you get to know them the less you want to know.

Do you Need Any Help Trimming the Hedges?

Many have mommy issues and although I’m no shrink, I’m pretty sure there’s some pills they should be taking that might help them with their magnetic attraction towards funeral businesses. I call them “Funeral Home Ghouls”.

These folks can become a real sore spot in for funeral home PR. They usually mean no harm, but us funeral professionals aren’t used to putting people off. God forbid we offend anyone!. Even if it is the neighborhood freak. Were much better at diffusing conflicts and grief and have some pretty good organizational skills. My boss would say things to me like be nice and tell them you’re busy. What to do? They don’t have exterminators in the yellow pages with strong enough toxins to eradicate this sort of pest.

She Seemed so Nice

Some have chameleon like camouflage and blend right in with the heard.  We even had one that live in a hearse with his mommy and I’m talking winters in Vermont! One cute waitress where we often went for coffee always had to know just a little more about what went on behind our closed doors. One day she confided in me and explained how she always wanted to “do it” in a casket. I felt obligated to helping her out and responded the only way I know how. She had good taste and selected the Batesville Copper! I know many of you have your funeral home ghoul stories. Please share! (No Names Please) Ghouls have feelings too.

Some are Like Bugs!

Are you afraid you will lose their loyal business. Don’t be. And please when they start showing interest in the profession and ask about funeral school, do your job, and PLEASE steer them away and let them know how far better off they would be cleaning shoes for the bowling alley in another town. Don’t even let em cut the grass! It could only lead to more frustration in something you want no part of. Sorry I have no quick solution or should I say “Silver Bullet”. Allen Creedy hasn’t blogged this lessen yet. But I do have some advice. Don’t let it go as long as I did. Years in some cases. Nip it in the bud, it only gets worst and freakier. Leading them along and associating regularly can only tarnish the image of your funeral business. I  know I’m not alone and I have seen the ghoul situation really eat at some of my bosses.  I would love to hear how you handled your funeral home ghoul.

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Scattering Ashes is No Longer The Exception

We hear it a lot these days. “Just scatter my ashes and have a big party”.

Well that sounds pretty easy and parties are fun, right?  It should be easy, but without some thoughtful planning, survivors are faced with many unanswered questions. Often the scattering is put off because of all the questions and the ashes often end up on the top shelf in the hallway closet indefinitely.

Scattering Ashes in Alaska
Places of Natural Beauty Are Often Selected

Helping people learn how to have a creative and meaningful scattering ceremony is a large part of the reason that Cremation Solutions exist. Families are grateful to learn that they can create a meaningful event and still follow the persons request to “just scatter me”. Scattering ashes is often the final act of love survivors can participate in. Scattering is nothing less than a committal service, it is an event that should contain ceremony and ritual. It is important for family and friends to experience a meaningful and memorable final tribute. In some cases it is the only tribute, so let’s do our best. People who choose to have their ashes scattered do not consider scattering to be any less respectful or meaningful than any other disposition option. In fact, families that have scattered are experiencing a higher level of satisfaction. They consider scattering to be a more natural way to return to the earth. Scattering also allows families the flexibility of choosing a site that is personable and has special meaning to the deceased and the survivors. Sites with natural beauty are also often selected.

Scattering a friends ashes
Some Take Turns Scattering a Friends Ashes

The decision to scatter ashes is no longer unique. With more than half of all cremated Americans and Canadians as well choosing the scattering of ashes, scattering is NOW the #1 disposition of cremated remains in the United States and Canada and continues to grow. Funeral professionals are the only ones that aren’t catching on. Most funeral professionals consider scattering a dirty and unprofitable choice of final disposition. They will help you get buried or interred. They will help you create funeral and memorial events, but when the choice is to scatter, they will help you as far as the door! Some of the more progressive funeral homes now offer special urns for families that choose to scatter the ashes, but that’s about as far as it goes. Cremation Solutions was started when our founder, a funeral director for over twenty years noticed how those who choose to scatter have been neglected by the funeral professionals in general. Cremation Solutions has grown to become the #1 resource for those choosing to scatter.

Here are some things to consider when planning a scattering ceremony. Hopefully a funeral or memorial event will take place before the scattering ceremony. Planning these events are what funeral professionals are really good at. Even if you’re not having public viewing and or visitation, you should still give survivors the chance to gather and celebrate the life that was lived. This helps survivors not only with the healing process but also to continue important relationships with each other and to support those who really need it. Now for the scattering ceremony you should consider first if you want a public ceremony or will it just be the family gathering. For a public ceremony, you might want the scattering to follow the memorial event, just like when a procession follows to the cemetery for committal services. Will more than one person scatter the ashes or will there be a chance to share in the scattering of ashes. Will the gathering be at the place of the scattering or somewhere else, either before or after? Will they do more than one scattering if there are relatives or friends in another part of the country? If people know the date and time the scattering will occur, they can then take that time to honor the memory of the deceased in their own way.

Because of the popularity of scattering ashes, suppliers to the funeral industry have been inventive and prolific in providing ways to remember. Three popular product types that relate specifically to families that desire to scatter are scattering urns, keepsakes, and keepsake jewelry. Scattering style cremation urns can be displayed at services, creating a focal point and sense of reality. They allow the cremated remains to be easily disbursed while adding dignity to the process. The location of the ash scattering sometimes determines the style of scattering urn to be used. The most popular location is over water and there are many water soluble urns that are specifically designed for this purpose. The second most popular location is on the family property. Birdhouse memorial scattering urns are a great option for these families because they are scattering urns that will convert into a memorial birdhouse, providing comfort for the years to come. Some scattering urns can be kept as an art piece or provide a place to keep mementos of the deceased or be used as a vase. Because scattering is irreversible, keeping portions of the ashes is even more important to the family that chooses to scatter. If families relocate, they can be left with feelings of abandonment. Keepsake urns and jewelry help provide the comforting knowledge that part of the earthly remains can always be kept close. They come in many sizes and styles and often match the style of the scattering urn. Keepsakes can be used to contain the ashes as well as jewelry, hair or other mementos of the deceased.

Scattering is nothing new, it has been happening for over a thousand years, but it has lost much of its ritual, most of which never made its way into modern times. Research tells us that today’s families still want meaningful celebrations of life with ceremony and personal memorable tributes. The people of today just won’t settle for the cookie cutter, insert name here funeral service anymore. Many are hiring or consulting with funeral celebrants to help create and a more meaningful and memorable event.

Funeral Celebrant
Celebrant Reading For Scattering Ceremony

Funeral celebrants are ceremony specialists who have a sound background in the history of ritual, ceremony and funeral traditions in many cultures and religions. Funeral Celebrants have been drawn to this work by a strong realization that every life has meaning and deserves to be celebrated and celebrated well. Many have experienced grief themselves. All are convinced that funerals can be a valuable source of healing. Nothing can take away the grief, but a genuine, well prepared tribute may ease the pain. Whether your family is secular, religious, spiritual or interfaith, or if you simply wish to express yourself in a manner of your own, choosing a Celebrant can help to create a meaningful, memorable, fitting end of life tribute.

As a response for so many wanting to scatter in the perfect location, a new company has risen from the ashes. You can now hire a professional ash scattering service that will scatter the ashes in the holiest of all locations. In their private memorial scattering garden Holyland Ash Scattering will scatter your ashes on the land where Jesus lived and taught his followers. Now anyone can follow Jesus for all eternity by arranging their final tribute in this very special location. This service is available through any funeral home. Survivors will even receive a video of the actual scattering in Israel. To have final rest where our spiritual roots were set in the beginning is to be truly blessed.

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A Fitting Farewell: Marines Scatter the Ashes of Their Fallen Comrade in a Daring Skydive

A group of high flying Marines recently paid tribute to their daredevil colleague in a spectacular group sky dive as they scattered the ashes of Sergeant Brett Jaffe in mid air, while in a group free fall thousands of feet above the Arizona desert. People have been getting increasingly creative with the final act of scattering ashes. Appropriately this group of brave marines choose the Phillips drop zone on the Yuma proving grounds in Yuma Arizona.

Marines Scattering Ashes
How did they do that with the American Flag

Speaking to Home Post, The Military Life, Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Marty Rhett said: ‘It was an honor and privilege to take this Marine on his last jump and give him a proper hail and farewell.’

Ashes Scattered in Perfect Location
He Would Approve

Sergeant Jaffe had served in the Marines for 11 years. While stationed in Reno he met his wife Elizabeth and married in 2005. Together they traveled the world and enjoyed action adventures including jet skiing, snowboarding, motorcycling and hiking.

Sgt Jaffe, 41, was killed in a Jet Ski accident on July 15 at the Boca Reservoir in Northern California. The skydive took place just last week. Brett would have done the same for one of his buddies.

What would you do for a friend or family member that wanted to be scattered to the four winds. Here at Cremation Solutions we are hearing more and more stories of adventure on the road to final farewells. Often survivors can not choose just one special and meaningful location, so they scatter the ashes in multiple locations. Its a win win! Often a small amount of ashes are saved for other memorial options such as cremation jewelry and mementos of eternal meaning. Their really is no wrong or right way. With ash scattering even the sky is not the limit as demonstrated by these creative comrades.

Their are even professional scattering services now that can fulfill your scattering wishes. Boats, planes, balloons and space are all options. A new company called Holyland Ash Scattering can even scatter your ashes in the land where Jesus taught and performed miracles of biblical proportions. Now your ashes can rest eternal on this sacred ground.

Where and how would you want your ashes scattered. Its OK be creative, we love to hear from you at Cremation Solutions

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