The Catholic Church forbade people to keep the ashes of dead people in houses or places that are not considered sacred (such as the cemetery or church). It also banned to scatter ashes in the air, land or sea. If the ashes are scattered, a funeral will be denied.
Pope Francis validated the document entitled “Instruction Ad resurgendum Christo cun” in which there are other provisions regarding the funeral and burial of dead people.
On the subject of cremation, it establishes that not keeping ashes in sacred places could lead to desecration and disrespectful acts. Authorities added that by applying this provision, the possibility of forgetting or ill-treatments, as well as superstitious practices, are avoided.
The church also declared that ashes will not be allowed to be spread among family or used to make souvenirs. Church authorities stated that the deads are not owned by living people, they are children of God, part of God and and they expect the holy resurrection in a holy place.
The preservation of the ashes at home is only contemplated “in cases of severe and exceptional circumstances”, or when a person asks for it due to merciness or closeness.
The new position of the Church has unleashed all kinds of reactions around the world. Several priests have indicated that they do not see any doctrinal reasons” in the decision. They declared that cremation does not touch the soul and it does not prevent the resurrection of the body. However, secretary of the International Theological Commission Thomas Bonino called cremation a “brutal practice” as it is an unnatural process and it does not allow people to get used to the lack of a loved one.