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Questions / Living the faith

Can Catholics be cremated?

Church teaching

Answered on video by Ascension Presents

Video: Your Questions About Cremation and Burial: Answered, Ascension Presents, published Aug 24, 2022. Checked 10 October 2026. Loads from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play. Watch on YouTube

In short: Yes, as long as it isn’t a statement against the resurrection of the body. CCC 2301

The answer, in writing

Church teaching

The Church permits cremation, provided it doesn’t show a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body. CCC 2301

Our words

The Church asks that ashes be buried or placed in a sacred place, not scattered or kept on a mantel. Ask your parish about a funeral Mass.

Next step: Find a parish near you

Honestly? The best answers come from people, not websites. Take the next step: find a parish near you

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Sources on this page

How we know · 1 Catechism paragraph
  1. Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2301 (official text on vatican.va).

Stone & Incense restates Church teaching in plain words and cites every teaching claim. Our own wording is not an official Church text. Found a mistake? Report an errorCorrections.