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→Catholic Position on Cremation: improved
The Catholic position for two millennia was that cremation did not treat the body with the respect warranted for God's image. The respect for life also required a respect for the body in death.
The Catholic position for two millennia was that cremation did not treat the body with the respect warranted for God's image. The respect for life also required a respect for the body in death.
The Church relaxed its prohibition on cremation in 1963. "In 1963, the Catholic Church lifted its prohibition forbidding Catholics to choose cremation. Canon 1176 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law states, ''''The Church earnestly recommends the pious custom of burying the bodies of the dead be observed''', it does not however, forbid cremation unless it has been chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching.'"<ref>http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P4A.HTM (emphasis added)</ref>
The Church relaxed its prohibition on cremation in 1963. In 1963, the Catholic Church lifted its prohibition forbidding Catholics to choose cremation. Canon 1176 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law mandates, "''''The Church earnestly recommends the pious custom of burying the bodies of the dead be observed''', it does not however, forbid cremation unless it has been chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching."<ref>http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P4A.HTM (emphasis added)</ref>
In practice, however, recent years have seen a great increase in cremations among [[Catholics]], many of whom are unaware of the traditional teaching.
In practice, however, recent years have seen a great increase in cremations among [[Catholics]], many of whom are unaware of the traditional teaching.