Father Larry McBride shares Church teaching on cremation

Father Larry McBride, pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Henderson, Ky., spoke to the Sisters in Saint Joseph Villa on Sept. 23, 2022, about the Catholic Church’s position on cremation.

Several Sisters were unclear what the current Church position is on cremation. Father Larry explained that cremation is allowed as long as the deceased believed in the resurrection, that the cremains are kept together and that they are buried or interred someplace sacred.

Here are some photos from the day.

Father Larry McBride tells the Sisters that as long as the body is reverenced, cremation is allowed in the Catholic Church.
Father Larry McBride addresses the Sisters in the Rainbow Room of Saint Joseph Villa. He said funeral homes usually know the Catholic Church’s position on cremation and can help families who have questions.
Sister Suzanne Sims, left, Sister Alicia Coomes, center, and Sister Martha Keller listen to Father Larry. He said cremains must be buried or interred, and shouldn’t be kept in a house while awaiting another family member to die.
The Sisters are attentive as Father Larry talks about some of the scenarios he’s faced with families who don’t understand Church teaching on cremation. From left are Sisters Nancy Murphy, Grace Swift, Marie Joseph Coomes, Luisa Bickett, Kathleen Dueber, Mary Matthias Ward, Mary Timothy Bland, Lois Lindle, Mary Gerald Payne and Susanne Bauer (in the back by the wall.)
From left, Sisters Mary Gerald Payne, Susanne Bauer, Ann Patrice Cecil, Francis Louise Johnson and Maureen O’Neill listen to Father Larry say that there are prayers for burying cremains at sea, as long as they are contained in a sacred vessel and not scattered.