Catholics’ ashes cannot be scattered or kept at home with relatives, according to new Vatican rules on cremation
Remains should now be stored in a church or cemetery so the community can remember the dead in a sacred place
NEW Vatican rules on cremation say Catholics’ ashes cannot be scattered, divided between relatives or kept at home.
They say remains must be stored in a sacred place such as a church or cemetery, so that the community can remember the dead.
Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, author of the document published yesterday, said: "The dead body isn’t the private property of relatives. We have to get over this individualistic thinking."
The document states bishops may make exceptions to the rule but does not mention in what circumstances. Pope Francis approved the measures in March.
For most of its 2,000-year history, the Church permitted only burial, to show faith in resurrection. Cremation was allowed from 1963.
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Though the new instruction insists remains should be kept together, Vatican officials won't be travelling the world to reunite saints' body parts.
A Vatican theological adviser said: "Going to all the countries that have a hand of someone would start a war among the faithful."