Church cites limits in following dying person’s wish

A person’s dying wish should conform with the teachings of the Catholic Church, an official of the Archdiocese of Manila said yesterday.

Fr. Roy Bellen, diocese communications office chief, said there are limitations when it comes to abiding by a person’s last will, such as in the practice of cremation.

Some people believe that scattering the ashes, keeping these at home or divided among living relatives is allowed under Catholic doctrine.

“It should be clear to the person who requested that his ashes be scattered at sea that it is not about being one with nature. The fact that you are going to die, you come from dust and to dust you shall return, there is no need to scatter your ashes,” Bellen said.

He said surviving family members could defy the will if the deceased had not been informed of the teachings on Catholic burial, which have to be “followed to the letter.”

The prelate said that chances are, a person’s notion about the wrong practices on cremation might have been influenced by what he has seen on television, movies or the internet that merely add to the “drama.”

These movies or shows may have been produced by nonChristians.

Bellen said they have been evangelizing people through education and guidance on how to treat the dead.

The urn containing the ashes should not be kept at home. It should be placed in a proper place such as a columbarium.

“As much as possible we should give value to the person. There is a place where he can be remembered and we pray for him. If you throw his ashes into the sea, where will you pray?”

The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith recently reminded Catholics that the ashes of the deceased should be buried properly and should not be kept in private homes or scattered on land or sea.

The congregation said the burial prevents the departed from being forgotten or their remains from being shown a lack of respect.