USCCB on the Disposal of Remains of the Dead

Cardinal Luis Ladaria, S.J., Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has written to USCCB President Archbishop Jose Gomez concerning newer techniques for the dispostition of last remains that are touted as more ecological alternatives to creamtion. Cardinal Ladaria warns that "this practice implies an approach that, in fact, tends to eliminate any trace of a sense of the sacred and of effective pity for the mortal remains of the deceased." He also askes the USCCB "to explain to the faithful the incompatibility of these practices with the teaching of the Catholic Church" and to make the contents of his letter known to the public.

Read the letter here