No, the Catholic Church generally prohibits scattering ashes, requiring them to be buried in a sacred place like a cemetery, as a sign of faith in the resurrection and respect for the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, though recent 2023 Vatican guidelines allow a small portion to be kept in a meaningful location if pantheism is ruled out, but still forbid scattering or keeping them at home.
The Catholic Church believes in the sanctity of the body, which is why cremated remains may not be separated. Under the guidelines of the Church, scattering or spreading ashes, whether on land or sea, is not allowed.
In many families, members live far apart. Dividing the ashes allows each person to create a memorial in their location, whether that's a small urn at home, a garden memorial, or something else entirely. This way, no one feels left out, even if they're not near the final resting place.
Prohibited areas
Local parks and on sports fields where people gather to picnic, exercise and relax. Waterways and oceans, as dispersing ashes in waterways is considered culturally inappropriate for Māori. Private property (unless the owner gives their permission).
Nevertheless, cremation is not prohibited unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian faith. When cremation of the body has been chosen, the human cremated remains of the faithful must be laid to rest in a sacred place (i.e., a Catholic cemetery).
They also do not allow people to share or divide ashes out of respect for the body.
Catholic teaching holds that each person, body and soul, is made in God's image and destined for eternal life. Today, cremation is permitted within the Church, provided it aligns with Catholic teachings on the dignity of the body and the hope of resurrection.
The technique of trenching is another option. Dig a small trench in the location of your choice, place the remains (or a biodegradable urn containing the ashes) within, and cover with soil. Raking is another technique used. Pour the remains on the surface of the soil and use a rake to mix the ashes.
Untreated cremation ashes disrupt the sensitive chemical and biological balance of soils that will cause lasting damage to soil and plant health. Scattering cremation ashes which are untreated also creates other environmental issues such as salinity, eutrophication and acidity.
It's important to note that there are no explicit verses addressing cremation or the keeping of ashes. The Bible does not directly discuss these specific issues and there are different interpretations of what this silence might mean.
Bones and teeth are the only parts of the body that survive the cremation heat. That's because they're denser and harder to break down than soft tissues.
While some DNA may remain in cremated ashes, the intense heat of the cremation process typically destroys most genetic material. As a result, the amount of DNA present in cremated remains is minimal and may not be suitable for genetic testing or analysis.
Is it a sin to separate ashes? No, it is not a sin to separate ashes. The Bible does not specifically mention cremation or the scattering of ashes, so there is no ruling on this matter. However, some people may have religious or spiritual beliefs that say cremation and the scattering of ashes are not acceptable.
That's the question so many people ask. And the honest answer is: no one really knows. Some believe the spirit departs at death; others believe part of it stays with the ashes until they are released.
5. Make a circle on the ground. Scatter the ashes into a circle in your garden or a local park, then ask friends and family members to step into the circle and say a few words about your loved one. You can then rake the ashes to spread them out across the earth.
When a Catholic makes use of the permission to be cremated, the remains are to be placed in a worthy vessel and cared for much as one would care for the dead body. The vessel containing the cremated remains must be buried in a grave or placed in a mausoleum or columbarium (a place where cremains are interred).
Burial, whether of the body or the ashes, is seen as a physical sign of belief in the resurrection and eternal life. Scattering ashes, by contrast, is seen as diminishing that link between body and resurrection. The Church has always placed great importance on the dignity of the dead.
Superstition: Superstitions about bad luck often stem from fear of the unknown or from cultural traditions. Some believe that keeping ashes at home can disrupt the natural order, leading to misfortune. However, these beliefs are not universal and are not grounded in any scientific or religious doctrine.
Scattering ashes on a family grave or in a cemetery
Not all cemeteries allow scattering ashes, so check with the cemetery directly for their rules. If you own a plot of land in the cemetery, you should be able to scatter ashes over a family grave. Your funeral director can help you to make these arrangements.
Yes, it is safe to touch the ashes but most people prefer to release them from a cremation tube. This is a specially designed tube that allows you to scatter the ashes without touching them.
You do not need permission to scatter ashes on a beach or in tidal coastal waters. However, you'll have to comply with a few guidelines from the Environmental Agency if it's within 5 miles of the coast. For instance: While ashes themselves don't affect the quality of water, don't scatter any non-biodegradable items.
What To Say When Scattering Ashes
The cremation process doesn't destroy all parts of the body. It only consumes all the soft tissues, leaving behind bones and parts of the teeth. These bones are processed into a fine powder, making up cremated remains.
What does the Bible say about cremation? According to most Biblical study websites, there is no explicit scriptural command for or against cremation. There are no passages that forbid cremation, according to most Biblical scholars.
The Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, also considers themselves to be the original Christian church along with the Roman Catholic Church.