May a funeral mass be celebrated with the cremated remains of the deceased person?

Yes. The funeral liturgy, including the Funeral Mass, may be celebrated with the cremated remains of the deceased person present. The Church encourages the family to have the body present in the Church followed by cremation, however either way is acceptable.

At the funeral Mass, the cremated remains, in a dignified container, are placed on a small table provided for this purpose. The liturgy concludes with the final commendation and the subsequent interment of the remains. The Church asks that in keeping with a spirit of reverence, the cremated remains be buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum or niche provided for this purpose. (National Liturgy Office, "Catholics and Cremation," 1998.)

Does the Catholic Church permit cremation?
Yes. Cremation has been an acceptable option for Catholics since 1963. The cremated remains must be treated with respect. They should be either interred or entombed. Scattering of cremated ashes is not permitted.
 

Do Catholic Cemeteries accept cremated remains?
Yes. For more information, see the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops website where a leaflet in pdf format is also available.

What makes a Catholic Cemetery special?
A Catholic Cemetery is a ministry of the Catholic Church. Consecrated by a Bishop, they are sacred places that remind us all of our Lord's promise of the resurrection. Within the Greater Toronto Area, all Catholic Cemeteries are owned and operated by the Archdiocese of Toronto.

Who can be buried at a Catholic Cemetery?
Catholic cemeteries are reserved for the burial of Catholics. Special permission is required for the burial of non-Catholic immediate family members (e.g., grandparents, parents, children ...). Please consult our Catholic cemeteries about your plans.

May Catholics who have been divorced and remarried outside the Church or who have committed suicide be buried with a Catholic ceremony?
Yes. Such circumstances of themselves do not exclude the possibility of a Catholic funeral (Canon 1184). If any doubt occurs, consult the Office of Spiritual Affairs.

What is the difference between a Funeral Service and a Funeral Mass?
The Holy Eucharist is celebrated in a Funeral Mass, but not in a Funeral Service. A Funeral Mass is appropriate in many circumstances for a deceased baptized Catholic, except if the deceased rarely attended Mass or practised the faith or publicly repudiated Catholicism.

May a baptized non-Catholic deceased receive a Catholic funeral?
Yes, in the judgement of the bishop, Catholic funerals can be granted to a non-Catholic baptized person "unless their intention is evidently to the contrary and provided that their own minister is unavailable" (Canon 1183 §3).

For a fuller list, please visit the Q & A section at Catholic Cemeteries & Funeral Services website.