A Funeral Mass may be celebrated with the cremated remains of an individual.

However, the Catholic Church “clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral rites, since the presence of the human body better expresses the values which the Church affirms in those rites” (Order of Christian Burial).

Therefore, families opting to have cremation are strongly encouraged to have the body of the deceased present at the funeral, followed by cremation and burial in the next several days.

In every circumstance, the cremated remains of a body should be treated with the same respect given to the body from which they come.

This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes; carrying, placing and transporting the ashes with respect; and final disposition.

By civil and Church law, cremated remains may not be spread or buried in any place other than a designated cemetery or columbarium. Nor does keeping cremated remains at home constitute the reverent disposition that the Church requires.