Your Options - About Cremation

In the early 1960s, the restriction against cremation was lifted for Catholics. Today, approximately 25 per cent of interments at The Catholic Cemeteries (Diocese of Hamilton) are cremations.

People choose cremation for many different reasons:

• Cultural or family tradition
• Environmental concerns
• Personal preference

The Catholic Cemeteries operates its own cremation centre near Brantford, both for Catholics and their families, and for members of the general public.

Process

If cremation is chosen, funeral home visitation and a traditional funeral can still be held. The process* is usually as follows:

• A visitation/vigil is held at a funeral home for one or more days
• A funeral Mass is held
• The body is taken to the crematorium by the funeral home while a post-funeral reception is held
• Cremation takes place a day or two after the funeral
• The Rite of Committal takes place when the cremated remains are buried or entombed

*Variations to the above-described process do take place. Our staff can provide you with information and assistance.

Options after cremation

The Catholic Church believes cremated remains should be treated with the same reverence and respect as the human body, and should be contained in a worthy container, e.g. urn, that reflects their sacredness. There are spiritual and emotional benefits from placing cremated remains in a proper place of burial or entombment. Families and friends have a place where they can focus their remembrance and prayers for the deceased. We provide the following options:

• Ground burial
• Entombment in an outdoor columbarium
• Entombment in a niche inside a mausoleum

Please refer to our Directory of Cemeteries to see the options for cremated remains at each of our cemeteries. Our family counsellors can explain the details, including the difference in cost, associated with each option.

Urns

A variety of cremation urns are available for purchase from The Catholic Cemeteries. "Urn" is the term used to describe any container for cremated remains, whether or not it is an actual urn shape.

Still have questions about Catholics and cremation? Please contact us at 905-522-7727, or toll-free at 1-800-661-5985.

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The Columbarium at Resurrection Cemetery, Ancaster

Niches in a room at Our Lady of Victory Mausoleum, Burlington

A Cremation Urn