Expert: Fr. Michael - 9/12/2009

Question
My husband recently passed away (in Catholic skilled nursing facility--& as active Catholic) and was cremated per his wishes.  He wanted to be scattered (nothing fancy and no "viewing, etc.).  However, this leaves me with a "residue" of where/when and then I just saw your answer ashes CANNOT be scattered??? What does the Church suggest as I was going to take them to his favorite places of travel???  This was his wish, not mine, and I do respect a person's last wishes; however, I do not think he researched it well as just was a "no-drama" person.

Please tell me very soon what to do with dignity and the teachings of the Catholic church.

Sue

Answer
It is hard to image that an "active Catholic" would order his body to be burned and therefore deny himself ecclesiastical burial.  Certainly he could not have "researched" the matter; otherwise, he would have quickly discovered that what he ordered was condemned by the Church.

One option for you, who apparently are Catholic and want to act as such, is to get yourself out of the middle of this situation.  You could turn his ashes over to the mortuary that handled his funeral service and let the mortuary fulfil its contract with him.  There is no reason why you should have to be involved and a condemned practice that would compromise your Catholic faith.