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, those opting to have cremation are strongly encouraged to have the body of the deceased present at the funeral, with cremation and burial to follow in the next several days.

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

This includes the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes, the manner in which they are carried, the care and attention to appropriate placement and transport, and the final disposition.