More and more people are choosing to be cremated. The Catholic Church allows cremation, but it is not preferred. Cremated remains are to be treated with the same respect as the full body. Honoring your loved one never means scattering their remains as doing so actually dishonors the deceased because it robs the family and friends of a certain place to go to pray for the deceased. It is also important to remember that the Christian is called to imitate Christ in all things, both in life and in death. Christians, therefore, prefer burial or entombment as a way to imitate the Lord Jesus. Father Daren Zehnle explains the history of cremation in the Church and what you need to remember.

Note, alkaline hydrolysis — otherwise known as biocremation, flameless cremation, or water cremation — is a cremation process that uses lye and heat. The Catholic Church does not approve of this method as it unnecessarily disrespects the human body.