‘Ashes should be buried properly after cremation’

MANILA, Philippines – The Catholic Media Network (CMN) yesterday reminded that the family should follow the last wish of their deceased if the departed wanted to be cremated, but the ashes should be buried properly.

Some Filipinos prefer to put the ashes of their departed loved ones in urns and keep these at home or scatter the ashes to the favorite place of the deceased.

But CMN president Fr. Francis Lucas said that while the church allows cremation, “the church tells us that when they are cremated, their ashes have to be placed in a tomb or niche. Do not leave that at home.”

The urns should be placed in a tomb “because you really have to bury the dead. But you do not bury the ashes in your house,” he added.

 Lucas also said the surviving family members need not call on the services of a priest to sprinkle holy water on the tomb of their departed loved one. They just have to ask for holy water from the church. – With Rhodina Villanueva