Your Questions About Cremation and Burial: Answered

Can I be cremated? Is it okay to donate my body to science? What about the relics of Saints, they aren't buried in the ground?
Last week, Fr. Mike began our discussion on death and burial, especially when it comes to the Catholic Church's teaching on "scattering your ashes." Today, he answers some of the most common questions from the comments of that video and delves deeper into why we should listen to our Mother, the Church, when she is instructing and guiding us in these matters.
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[@barbarahoffman1207]

Back in about 1992, I was reading our Catholic newspaper and said to my husband,"listen to this, it says now it's Ok to get cremated,but you can't bring the ashes in Church"My 4 yr. old grandson looked up from his coloring and said, "Oh yes you can grandma, 'cause that's where I got mine"

[@wamz9191]

Got his what?

[@slschoon]

@@wamz9191 That's where he got the ashes on his forehead on Ash Wednesday. He's only 4 years old. To him ashes are ashes.

[@janteynor5524]

😂❤😂

[@playlist1650]

@@slschoon 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@lenzieendz4234]

😂😂😂

[@sarahmcwhirter3814]

Thank you for this. My grandfather, who wasn’t Catholic, passed away recently and his funeral was today. He wanted to be cremated and buried in the family plot and my grandmother honored those wishes. It’s been heavy on my heart all day and hearing this at just the right time really feels as if a weight has been lifted. Thank you again, god bless you.

[@blairpham9429]

I’m sorry for your lost sister, I’m glad his video was able to give you clarity and peace ❤️

[@myheroesofamerica719]

I'm sorry for your loss

[@monalisaaydin2386]

My condolences to you and your family...May he RIP 🙏

[@cathleenlemire2730]

So glad you got this burden lifted from your mind. I have been catholic since 1978 and have lost 3 of my family members.Only one out of the three were catholic and 2 of them were cremated and the other was buried in the same cemetary that I will be buried with a full funeral(that was my husband). My daughter and her son were both cremated and we have spread their ashes where they requested. My daughter was raised Catholic but her son was not. Does that mean she is in Heaven now but her son is not? That would be so sad to think they are not in Heaven together. They were so very close.

[@AnaRamirez-is8yy]

May you be at peace.

[@lunasol1244]

My God I miss my Son he died 3 years ago O my God I miss him 🙏

[@S.ENTERTENMENT]

Which age your son die

[@etzdeir9745]

"wake up in a coffin" vs. "waking up in an oven..." This madre me chuckle. Thank you, Fr. Mike!

[@laheiny]

Lol😂

[@76TomD]

People have woken up in coffins, funeral homes and many other places.

[@sarahmulvey9560]

If God can take dry bones and breathe life into them he can breathe life into my ashes too. Ezekiel 37:1-14

[@michellefrench6617]

Yes

[@mariagarza7612]

Why would God go against His rules? Like Fr said, "you're doing it your way...". NOT God's way. What is it you don't get?

[@angelaborrayo9823]

With scattered ashes vanished.

[@wisewomanhealing]

That's not what it's about.

[@Cowgirlcath]

Amen!

[@stephanierobinson7151]

It all comes down to money. If burial were cheaper, cremation would not be so popular.

[@crystalharris7394]

I agree 100% I can’t afford a coffin or a burial plot, They’re so expensive.

[@danielkinsman1964]

The body that dies isn't the one you spend eternity in. When you die, Jesus gives you an eternal body.

[@crystalharris7394]

❤❤❤

[@josephinelovsin4961]

Respect the body God gave and don’t throw it away but let it rest in peace.

[@danielkinsman1964]

@@josephinelovsin4961 The soul rests in peace

[@cdmc965]

With me, it's cost. I don't want the burden on my children for a funeral. I don't want it my way. Thank you for sharing this.

[@franklyspeaking8335]

I would like to be buried near my dad, who was buried at a Roman Catholic cemetery. I love and miss him so much. I know that one day I will see him again.

[@Linda-jx9io]

So do I… I miss my dad too… May our Lord and our Lady take good care of them 🙏💛. May They be merciful to the faithful departed 🙏.

[@BitsyBee]

Get it arranged now and have a will. It's never too early...I need my own advice!

[@celiaescalante]

Thank you Father Mike. This made a tear roll down my cheek. People close to me were cremated. People affirm the cruelest things with other intentions. 😢

[@brendaappel2485]

It is important to talk about death with your loved one. My husband and I talked frequently as to what our wishes were. It was a good thing because he died unexpectedly this pass June. He wanted to be cremated but we still had a viewing. We also talked about where he wanted to be buried and at the last minute he decided he wanted to be buried in the ground next to me. This discussion took place about 3 weeks before he died. Glad we had the talk

[@enjoyfullifenatural.cultiv8441]

When you don't know the difference between real creator and creation (Making something extreme new from nothing is called 'Creation') then no question of your intelligence. Then what you will understand whether you are fake or not or more? You are following other humankind made fake and idol God. Humankind is focusing a deteriorated body, which will be destroyed. God, Jesus, Llord, Allah etc. are men made and given names for the fake and idol made by men. Lacking guidance of good - real is the root cause of mankind’s Problems All Religions & its God / men, make fakes & idols. The people leading the religion; is not even telling the truth. They are cheating and saying you lie as true. They are cheating you. They are given the God name to the fake and idols they have made and all others are worshiping that. Alas.... Depending on any men or mankind made things are the side effects - destruction of own life. Don't you it is the result of our failure to know the real truth and believing in others fake?? Elysium (the place of the owner of life, abundance, everything, all living water) and the world (part of the human body) = both are different. A. Providing inherent, infinite abundance- Creator b. Creation (mankind and all creatures). Elysium = life = natural, quieter, less use, etc. World = body = more, more powerful, louder, money, assets, facilities, higher education, jobs, etc. Owner = Your Hearty and Healthy Life on the Earth = Intrinsic and Infinite Abundance - Ceaseless Creator = 1 . (1 life, 1 breath, 1 pain, 1 sky, 1 earth, 1 wind, 1 thunder, 1 lightning, 1 water, etc.1) slave - Slavery = Men made thing in different ways like war, religion, politics, world money, wealth, assets, facilities, etc. and lot new more... If you are right then money and wealth are just for name sake to live abundance in the world. Self respect. Self awareness. Save your precious life. If you want, think, change yourself or…

[@chommie5350]

@@enjoyfullifenatural.cultiv8441 Take a chill pill.please

[@enjoyfullifenatural.cultiv8441]

@@chommie5350 lack of your knowledge. you take a chill pill or give it to your father because the culprits face the consequences.

[@kathleensaenz4717]

Sorry for your loss.

[@TheLadymiss22]

@@enjoyfullifenatural.cultiv8441 🙄

[@17CW68fNv]

Cremation with burial, is a good choice. For those not able to afford a casket and burial, this is a good answer as well. Thanks for giving us reasons for doing these things. It's important. God Bless. Claire.

[@mistyviolet3825]

YESSSSSSS YES 👍🏻

[@lois7235]

That is what I am thinking about doing

[@hoofixrman]

Definatly expensive to be put in a casket an burried.

[@nehyeshua]

Yes, and most of all no maggots

[@adrianjohnson7920]

Smartest thing I did with an inheritance from my mother was to pre-pay two funeral plans for me and my spouse just before Corvid rocketed us into the new normal. At the same time I went online and purchased two matching urns, with little vaults for burying them in spaces we purchased in the Churchyard of the country Church where we had been married. The children and grandchildren know our burial plans. In this terrible inflation, they will not be burdened with the costs of burying us. I recommend anyone who is over 60 and can afford to, pre-pay your cremation/ funeral now, and tell your pastor what readings and hymns you want, so the grandkids don't choose something "modern and tasteless." And BTW, I specified that everybody wear black to concentrate the mind on the fact of death and the necessity of praying for the souls of the departed. One year afterward, if they like, and AFTER the "Year's mind Mass", they can throw a party to "celebrate" our lives.

[@mbalingcamu1550]

This video has helped me now I will tell my son to burry my ashes after cremation because I hate the exorbitant funeral expenses I can truly listen all day Fr Mike Ps; I am not Catholic but I appreciate the truth in your videos Thanks

[@Georgian1717]

You can pre pay for an an inurnment and can range from 400-1000. So you don’t have to burden anyone with costs.

[@gtibruce]

Cremation to ashes doesnt make any difference to me as the soul holds the bluse print of ones body anyway and so if the soul is supernatural will easily recover the blue print of the body period!

[@Bigchilezlife]

Hi Fr.Mike!!! I’m your fan. Hope I can meet you Father one day in person🙏🏻🙏🏻 And I’m praying for everyone that loves this channel! #AscenionForever

[@sharonsparks5121]

Thank you Jaime!

[@luzmagreene]

me encanta este sacerdote, pero habla muy rápido y entiendo muy poco el inglés, me gustaría que Google diera la traducción al español.

[@thomasmiller2440]

⁠@@luzmagreene Si, este sacerdote habla muy rápido porque no el tiene mucho tiempo para explicar el sujeto de programa. ¡Que lastima! Soy de los Estados Unidos pero fui profesor de español. Quiero traducir sus palabras para usted pero no sé cómo hacerlo. Lo siento mucho! Su hermano de rogar, Tomás

[@wilhufftarkin8543]

Under the last video, there were way too many people who completely misunderstood your point, Fr. Mike. I actually read some of the comments before I watched the video, and when I finally did, I was surprised that you didn't say at all what so many people were accusing you of, like for example that people whose ashes were scattered won't end up in heaven. I honestly think it's because from what I can see (I'm not American), the American culture is so heavily influenced by Protestantism, that the Sola Scriptura principle is applied to everything religious, not just the Bible, which means that everything has to be taken literally and absolutely, with no room for nuance at all. Btw, I noticed that you tried to speak slower in this video, probably because of all the comments that accused you of speaking too fast. I have no problem with your fast way of speaking. I actually like it. It's part of your character and what makes you so charming, so you shouldn't be ashamed of it. :) God bless you, Fr. Mike! Edit: I love that you had the courage to call out the "my way" attitude so many people responded with. It's a disease that plagues modern Christians (including myself) and many don't even realize how fundamentally satanic it is.

[@TheLadymiss22]

I had to slow the video down to 0.75 to listen! I call that my Ben Shapiro setting.

[@Arvy111]

Everyone please know WE are all spiritual beings. One with God. As spirit we can never ever ever be separate from God. Whether you are buried, cremated, ashes spread , put into a necklace, blown up, dissolved, separated into a thousand pieces, it makes absolutely no difference. Immediately at death your spirit (you) leaves the body. The body was simply a vehicle for a short time. It's like an old car , finished and ready to be thrown away now. YOU ( spirit, soul, consciousness) are eternal and safe. Any teaching that creates fear that you could ever be separate from God is a false belief based on fear. God is love , there is no fear in God. God never delivers fear...only love. So forget all this talk of making a mistake and know you are unconditionally loved and eternally safe. Then you can live with joy...forever. Peace to all.

[@donnaaspy7467]

You are endangering people's eternity with this talk. Your choice not to agree with it, but as you haven't died and experienced what happens when body and soul are reunited, you have absolutely NO EXPERTISE to speak on this and direct people away from what their faith dictates is the correct way to handle it. I think you need to be more respectful of others's faith.

[@josephinelovsin4961]

You’re one of the ones that does it ‘my way’.

[@isabelleon3360]

What is wonderful about Father Mike's posts and what I liked during the pandemic, is the feeling of him speaking directly to us, I love these so very much...Thank you very much Father for taking time to speak to us in this manner, and thank you to the Church for allowing these posts to take place...I attended Catholic school K-12 graduating in 1986, as time passed I would see other shows on T.V. but not from my own religion, so after finding Sister Angelica and Father Mitch, then finding Father Mike...it has been wonderful to dive deeper into the bible and what our religion really is, in detail, it is something so exciting and my heart and soul craves and loves...Thank you for your work and words.

[@richardcorwin1828]

Father Schnitz. Thank you for the clarification. God Bless you.

[@lmichaels1994]

Im not catholic but I wondered for along time why your church change their opinion on cremation. Thank you for these videos. I feel more at peace about wanting to donate my organs to others.

[@MrO7734]

Church is as big fraud just like government

[@staceydeveney-slater1976]

I love to hear you speak... you have delivered messages to me when I needed it most and you've answered many questions I have had. God bless you.

[@enjoyfullifenatural.cultiv8441]

When you don't know the difference between real creator and creation (Making something extreme new from nothing is called 'Creation') then no question of your intelligence. Then what you will understand whether you are fake or not or more? You are following other humankind made fake and idol God. Humankind is focusing a deteriorated body, which will be destroyed. God, Jesus, Llord, Allah etc. are men made and given names for the fake and idol made by men. Lacking guidance of good - real is the root cause of mankind’s Problems All Religions & its God / men, make fakes & idols. The people leading the religion; is not even telling the truth. They are cheating and saying you lie as true. They are cheating you. They are given the God name to the fake and idols they have made and all others are worshiping that. Alas.... Depending on any men or mankind made things are the side effects - destruction of own life. Don't you it is the result of our failure to know the real truth and believing in others fake?? Elysium (the place of the owner of life, abundance, everything, all living water) and the world (part of the human body) = both are different. A. Providing inherent, infinite abundance- Creator b. Creation (mankind and all creatures). Elysium = life = natural, quieter, less use, etc. World = body = more, more powerful, louder, money, assets, facilities, higher education, jobs, etc. Owner = Your Hearty and Healthy Life on the Earth = Intrinsic and Infinite Abundance - Ceaseless Creator = 1 . (1 life, 1 breath, 1 pain, 1 sky, 1 earth, 1 wind, 1 thunder, 1 lightning, 1 water, etc.1) slave - Slavery = Men made thing in different ways like war, religion, politics, world money, wealth, assets, facilities, etc. and lot new more... If you are right then money and wealth are just for name sake to live abundance in the world. Self respect. Self awareness. Save your precious life. If you want, think, change yourself or…

[@staceydeveney-slater1976]

@@enjoyfullifenatural.cultiv8441 firstly you really need to learn how to create a sentence in a manner that reads and speaks correctly. Secondly your trying to push your anti_religious propaganda on a religious page to which you will most certainly lose. Stop being a person who feels the need to question everyone and everything in life and let go of your Ill gotten views. Thirdly you talk about intelligence which is something you clearly don't have as you can't even form a grammatically correct sentence. Don't try and tell people what to think on a subject you hardly know anything about...... I'm sure you will try to comment something back but like I said at the least make it legible and able to read with out me having to strain my already superior brain. I think I lost brain cells attempting to read your dribble.

[@marybogan6110]

​@@enjoyfullifenatural.cultiv8441 ⁰p pu p

[@randymahony8157]

Father Mike I could listen to you all day and night. Thanks and God bless.

[@rosemaguire4472]

Fr.Mike thank you for your clarification. I thank God that all of my family believe in laying our departed loved ones to rest by burial in consecrated grounds in local cemetery. Having a funeral mass and laying their body to rest in the cemetery Being able to go to their grave and pray. Also the month of November for the Holy souls it was always a tradition to visit cemeteries It’s good to be able to visit our departed loved ones place of rest and pray for them. Get masses said for them. Lord have mercy on all the holy Souls Every night before I retire I sprinkle holy water for all the holy souls. 🙏🙏

[@mistyviolet3825]

We can bury the Ashes into the cemetery grounds

[@Linda-zv8ky]

When my son died suddenly, we had him cremated and interned in a niche in a cemetery that was blessed by the church. We had a memorial mass first but we wanted him to have a stone with his name and date of birth so the world would know he lived and loved and is loved. Then we moved and we moved his ashes with us . He is still part of our family. We visit the cemetery for every holiday birthday and family event. His sister and her husband often visit it’s him and our granddaughter and her fiancée also stop by the cemetery and are planning to have a PowerPoint presentation of him at their wedding. I know he knows how much we love him, how much we miss him and that we respect how much being a Catholic meant to him.

[@juliebriggs643]

My husband wanted to be cremated after planning his father's funeral. He was horrified by the cost. When he passed 6 years ago I honored his wishes. He was not Catholic. I am. I have planned my funeral, doing a pre paid plan. I spoke to my parish priest about my funeral before I when to the funeral home to do the pre paid plan to be sure I was not choosing something The Church would disapprove. I chose what hymns I wished sung and who I preferred to be the cantor. I will have a regular visitation with the rosary the evening before my funeral Mass. I will have a rented coffin. After my funeral Mass I will be cremated and both my husband and I will be interred at the same time together.

[@adrianjohnson7920]

Interred together! What a great plan! 😇😇

[@m.riveram9217]

That’s what I did with my husband when he died in a car accident. I will do the same.

[@janicecrose376]

Beautiful plan✝️🙏

[@m.riveram9217]

Me too.

[@CousinPaddy]

Thanks for tackling some of these difficult questions!

[@enjoyfullifenatural.cultiv8441]

When you don't know the difference between real creator and creation (Making something extreme new from nothing is called 'Creation') then no question of your intelligence. Then what you will understand whether you are fake or not or more? You are following other humankind made fake and idol God. Humankind is focusing a deteriorated body, which will be destroyed. God, Jesus, Llord, Allah etc. are men made and given names for the fake and idol made by men. Lacking guidance of good - real is the root cause of mankind’s Problems All Religions & its God / men, make fakes & idols. The people leading the religion; is not even telling the truth. They are cheating and saying you lie as true. They are cheating you. They are given the God name to the fake and idols they have made and all others are worshiping that. Alas.... Depending on any men or mankind made things are the side effects - destruction of own life. Don't you it is the result of our failure to know the real truth and believing in others fake?? Elysium (the place of the owner of life, abundance, everything, all living water) and the world (part of the human body) = both are different. A. Providing inherent, infinite abundance- Creator b. Creation (mankind and all creatures). Elysium = life = natural, quieter, less use, etc. World = body = more, more powerful, louder, money, assets, facilities, higher education, jobs, etc. Owner = Your Hearty and Healthy Life on the Earth = Intrinsic and Infinite Abundance - Ceaseless Creator = 1 . (1 life, 1 breath, 1 pain, 1 sky, 1 earth, 1 wind, 1 thunder, 1 lightning, 1 water, etc.1) slave - Slavery = Men made thing in different ways like war, religion, politics, world money, wealth, assets, facilities, etc. and lot new more... If you are right then money and wealth are just for name sake to live abundance in the world. Self respect. Self awareness. Save your precious life. If you want, think, change yourself or…

[@perrylc8812]

As an Orthodox I was going to say I’m surprised that the Catholic Church allowing this but then I remembered Vatican 2 how much things changed. We still don’t allow this with the exception of a couple reasons.

[@Alma.-]

Very well said Fr Mike thank you Lord help me to choose only your way not my way ✨🙏

[@caroldye433]

Glad you clarified this important topic! Thank you Fr Mike!

[@darlameeks]

Thanks, Fr. Mike! I have decided to have a natural burial...no embalming. There are funeral homes that will do this now here in Florida, and cemeteries that allow it. The body is cleaned and kept very cold until the time of burial and then wrapped in a cloth of natural fibers such as cotton or linen (as our Lord's Body was before He was laid in the tomb). You can be buried only in the shroud, or be placed in a casket woven of grasses, sort of like a wicker basket. I'd like to be buried facing east as the early Christians did (and many do today). Embalming fluid is so unnaturally harsh, and I don't want it in my body. It also seeps out into the ground causing problems for the environment.

[@Romans1.24-27]

Amen..very nice...I am in Florida and am discerning a job working in a funeral home.. I am conflicted on it

[@Romans1.24-27]

I've decided against the job, tried it for a day, head was spinning from the filing..vast amounts of filing... little to no actual dealing with the setup of services, burial..etc .

[@darlameeks]

@@moonytheloony6516 Christians live in the hope of the bodily Resurrection of the dead when Christ returns. My remains will be buried in light of that hope. I'm sorry you have made light of this. When Jesus returns, He will take up His rightful throne and make everything right. He will judge both the living and the dead. All of creation will be made new...a new heaven and new earth, joined together. Jesus will rule and we will rule with Him.

[@moonytheloony6516]

@@darlameeks Did I ask for a sermon? No. No I didn't. Now let's see your proof that your jesus is the son of god which unto itself is silly because they're one of the same. For 2,000 plus years this jesus of yours has been in the process of returning....any year now, any day now....and so far....nothing. What is your proof that your god exists This time, respond with evidence minus the sermon....that is if you can manage it by thinking for yourself instead of sounding like a recording...

[@rivermoon6190]

@@moonytheloony6516 Why are you trolling on here? Karma will pay you back, fear not!

[@carmelrose6327]

Amen❤ Father .....let us follow the church and be obedient to Jesus Christ

[@ElizabethSampson]

Thanks for the clarification! Very helpful!

[@enjoyfullifenatural.cultiv8441]

When you don't know the difference between real creator and creation (Making something extreme new from nothing is called 'Creation') then no question of your intelligence. Then what you will understand whether you are fake or not or more? You are following other humankind made fake and idol God. Humankind is focusing a deteriorated body, which will be destroyed. God, Jesus, Llord, Allah etc. are men made and given names for the fake and idol made by men. Lacking guidance of good - real is the root cause of mankind’s Problems All Religions & its God / men, make fakes & idols. The people leading the religion; is not even telling the truth. They are cheating and saying you lie as true. They are cheating you. They are given the God name to the fake and idols they have made and all others are worshiping that. Alas.... Depending on any men or mankind made things are the side effects - destruction of own life. Don't you it is the result of our failure to know the real truth and believing in others fake?? Elysium (the place of the owner of life, abundance, everything, all living water) and the world (part of the human body) = both are different. A. Providing inherent, infinite abundance- Creator b. Creation (mankind and all creatures). Elysium = life = natural, quieter, less use, etc. World = body = more, more powerful, louder, money, assets, facilities, higher education, jobs, etc. Owner = Your Hearty and Healthy Life on the Earth = Intrinsic and Infinite Abundance - Ceaseless Creator = 1 . (1 life, 1 breath, 1 pain, 1 sky, 1 earth, 1 wind, 1 thunder, 1 lightning, 1 water, etc.1) slave - Slavery = Men made thing in different ways like war, religion, politics, world money, wealth, assets, facilities, etc. and lot new more... If you are right then money and wealth are just for name sake to live abundance in the world. Self respect. Self awareness. Save your precious life. If you want, think, change yourself or…

[@richardc751]

Father Mike, thank you for this video. I am learning more every day. It was always my intention to be cremated but after watching your video, I will be buried in sacred ground. I don’t want to do it my way I want to do it God’s way.

[@marypinakat8594]

"... I did it MY WAY" ... *The theme song of hell.* If that doesn't strike, what else may? Thank you Fr. Mike, it's your style that you drive home truth/message into our minds and hearts.

[@lancemangano4003]

I have been experiencing a lot of death recently!! My brother, friends, other Catholics...it has been overwhelming and I am trying to be OK since I am still alive!! I will be cremated and all arrangements have been made for a respectful treatment for my remains according to my faith!! Thank you for sharing and your encouragements!!!

[@katieann1908]

My biology teacher in a Catholic school said NEVER donate your body to science. She actually said they treat the body with complete disrespect. I will never forget this!

[@jcsmith3806]

You won't know either way... you'll be dead.

[@BitsyBee]

​@@jcsmith3806Right, it doesn't matter whether a dead person knows, but it matters what we the living know. And do. We the living know that desecrating a human body demeans us all.

[@williambechelli8192]

Thank-you Father Mike, on day 113 of CCC you have a gift of teaching. God Bless 🙌 you 🙏 ✝️

[@elizabethhunter4525]

I know someone who had her mum and dad turned into jewellery, she said by wearing it she felt close to them, another actually has some of the ashes of her mum in a necklace. I find it a very odd thing to do. So glad the Catholic church has stopped the relic thing, that never felt right to me either. I have also heard people say they don't want to be eaten by worms, they seem to forget that at that point they are dead !! Keep the videos coming Father Mike, they are always thought provoking, thank you.

[@themonsterunderyourbed9408]

You're in a wooden/metal box that is highly resistant to decomposition. Your body is dehydrated and mummified with embalming fluid. Which is highly toxic to living organisms. I don't think worms could get to you in modern burial practices. Even if they did, i doubt they'd be interested in eating you. You'd dehydrated and decompose extremely slowly.

[@MultiJoe84]

You’re also dead if you’re cremated !

[@ralph7748]

"For dust you are, and to dust you shall return."

[@ThingsAbove333]

Love the very last thing you mentioned....honor God above all 🤍

[@estherw2881]

I come from a culture that makes business out of someone dying. This has made me loath the whole business of being buried and fundraising over my death. I was convinced that if I can get cremated then I will be at peace knowing no one will take advantage of the situation. Thank you father for helping me understand the connection between my faith and my body and soul. Now I am ambivalent to cremation just for my reasons. I can express my will and also have my body laid to rest according to my faith.

[@Totustuus822]

Great talk! I'm glad the Church has standards about remains. In life, sometimes we do dumb things with our bodies, so it makes sense that in life and death the Church warns us of the boundaries about what's proper to do with our bodies. I've heard last requests which have made me very uncomfortable. So, I'm with you on some last requests remaining unfulfilled.

[@sunedee1172]

So for clarity I should bury my Dad’s ashes? I can’t keep them?

[@ritasaar2208]

Thank you Father Mike for sharing this information and educating us all. I truly appreciate this.

[@AscensionPresents]

We are so glad you found this video helpful, Rita!

[@medievalwolfgrrl]

Great video. Thank you, Father. It should indeed be His will, not ours.

[@hildegardvonbingem]

Thank you, I've been thinking lots on this lately. When I die I'd like to be buried in the ground in a sunny spot, and wildflowers planted for the bees above. I hope I can get a place blessed to do this. But hopefully not for a while yet anyway, it's something that I'd feel at peace with, more than a heavy cemetery place. But not yet awhile anyway. I liked your concept of the body..l think we do a lot of 'rejection of the ways of the flesh' but you are actually saying the body can and should be a good, holy and blessed thing. Respected and treated with dignity.

[@aliciasedor9976]

Thank you Father Mike, that was very clear and educational. The part that you said that we still want to do it “our way, my way”…that reveals that we don’t follow God’s will…in other words, the church’s will, the apostle’s will of Jesus, Jesus will. That opened my eyes, thank you.

[@joyceuyehara6698]

My goodness. This is something I need to pray about and plan for. I don't want to be a burden to my family. Yes, burial plots are expensive (unless you are in the military) and so are caskets. Thank you for the information.

[@sharonduke4124]

I have always had a heartfelt feeling that you do not separate ones ashes. It is so nice to listen to your teachings. Nondenominational Christian Atlanta Georgia.

[@jcsmith3806]

You receive a new body. Your old body is no longer needed. It doesn't matter what you do with any part of it. Lol.

[@josephinelovsin4961]

@@jcsmith3806you respect it.

[@sheilagallagher2221]

Thank you, Father Mike. This was awesome and so grateful you shared! God’s Abundant Blessings Always🙏😘

[@Hollergirlohio]

Thank you Father Schmitz. My father wanted cremation and wanted to be buried with my mom when she passes. I was feeling guilty for his wishes but you have now settled my heart. My dad will be buried with my mom when it's time.

[@lindafehr3283]

Thank you Fr. Mike! This is a never-ending evolving topic which leads to many places. My question/comment is regarding organ donation. You need to be declared “brain dead” to harvest organs which means they need to keep you “alive”. Is this not a major desecration? The term ”brain dead” was manufactured specifically for organ donation. Donating your second kidney, for example, while you are in good health and can still live while giving life to another is a great gift. The term ”brain death” is a very foggy grey and leaves a lot of room for…….. “grave” manipulation. 🤨 God Bless You and keep you. Linda FEHR

[@jameskearney4100]

Your last statement answered it all for me! Thank you Father!

[@JohnBrown-ks8bn]

Thank you for this video . I recently started to get closer to God and I’m trying to do as God would want . This really helped me .

[@Nitramphoto]

This answered so many questions from the last video, plus you answered our questions about organ donors, thanks Padre!

[@margaretferrara1008]

My twin sister just died, I am not in charge of her remains, some of my family members are doing what my sister requested cremated and maybe scattering her ashes. Very sad, I have no say. What c a n I do,?

[@stephanierobinson7151]

@@margaretferrara1008 I’m so sorry!

[@anastasiae.5338]

I brought my parents ashes up to Michigan to scatter them in the water and to put some of my dad in front of the sign they constructed at his fraternity. I'm not Catholic, but it's nice to know that cremation is okay. My parents both donated their bodies to science. My father had nearly everything wrong with him, so I like to think he was of some help.

[@vivilad3181]

thank you for covering this topic!

[@josephrumpolo7328]

LOVE YOU FATHER, GOD BLESS, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK,

[@larrywiegel1015]

Father Mike, you mentioned several times about being buried in sacred “ground”. Is being placed in a mausoleum considered the same thing? It seems like it would be. Great videos. God Bless. 🙏👏👍🇺🇸

[@SallyGordonMark]

It's a wonderful thing you're doing, Father Mike, to answer questions and address people's concerns. You have such enthusiasm and a clear direct way of expressing yourself that I'm sure you help thousands of people understand what they're concerned about, relieving them of their worries. I've learned a lot from what you said in this video. Thank you and God bless you!

[@piggylicous1]

Please pray for my family to rethink their decision to keep my Poppy’s remains in 3different houses as well as the graveyard. I’m hoping one day all of his ashes can be buried together at his grave, however I don’t ever see that happening. He passed in February this year at 73 years young. I maybe able convince my father to one day bury the ashes at his house but I don’t even know how to bring it up to my grandmother and aunt. As you can imagine it is still a very tender subject for us all so i don’t even know how to go about it.

[@mc4dj1304]

God Bless you and your family - my dad passed this year too, he was 78.

[@adrianjohnson7920]

Time will alter things. After 2 or 3 years you can bring up the subject. Rethink burying ashes at a homestead. Eventually homes get torn down and developers build apartments or shopping centres on them. Safest place is a cemetery, even if it's a small country one. Just make sure it's officially recognised by the county where it is.

[@josephinelovsin4961]

Maybe getting them to watch this video will convince them.

[@rayfrancoeur2916]

thank you for this Father

[@MariaTeresaTosto]

Pray for my mother. She was a devoted catholic, but I'm ill, alone in this world and without a job. I've spent all my money to grant the best doctors, the best cures I could give her. I've made everything I could in order to find a priest to confess her and to give her the Holy Eucharist. Now I am fully poor and without prospects and everyone blames me but my mother is always with me even if now she is with the Lord. I will love her for ever

[@souperstar7050]

I'll pray for you. Dear Lord in the name of Jesus Christ heal my fellow follower in Christ mind, body, soul and improve their financial situation. God Bless with love.

[@MariaTeresaTosto]

@@souperstar7050 God bless you dear soul for your kind, compassionate heart...you made me cry with tenderness because you too are a sign of the love of Jesus Christ. From this moment on I will pray for you and for your loved ones. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another" God bless and protect you.

[@gesuador8024]

I will keep you in my prayers.dear Maria Teresa. May the love and the Grace of our Heavenly Father be with you all ways 🙏 and given you conform and courage and remember that you are not alone, God loves you so much ❤ keep it going and never lose hope lots of love and blessing my friends ❤️ ❤❤

[@MariaTeresaTosto]

To all the kind, gentle hearted, and compassionate people who have written to me to give consolation and encouragement, may God bless you and your loved ones. Two months have passed since my beloved Mother has come back to the Father's House but no one has cared for me except for a friend of mine (who has known the pain of losing the parents) and for you who have written on this channel. Really, Jesus has shown His love through your kindness and your prayers for me..I will pray for all of you ❤

[@MariaTeresaTosto]

It is interesting to remark this : that friend of mine who has tried to help me is as poor as a church mouse...on the contrary, other friends and relatives have suddenly vanished...they deliberately prefer to ignore if I can or cannot eat... but I have no hard feeling. I trust in Jesus. ❤

[@lorettagallagher9577]

My sister died 4 years ago. Her cremains remain in my other sister bedroom. Please pray that my nephew and sister will bury her in sacred ground. 🙏

[@Alma.-]

🙏🙏🙏

[@sammyc9617]

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@eyesofamessenger]

My mom is still at my brother's house.. I pray for the same thing

[@lorettagallagher9577]

@@eyesofamessenger my prayers are with you.

[@eyesofamessenger]

@@lorettagallagher9577 Thank you❣

[@ivonnerazo6203]

Thank you so much Father Mike 🙏

[@dellchica2373]

Both my parents were Presbyterian and I am Catholic. They were cremated and their ashes scattered at the same beach. God forgive me.

[@Yzabeaux1]

Dell Chica, if He hadn't forgiven you; He never would have given you His breath of "Life."😁🙏🏻👍🏻Because you are here on earth; He has you on His mission.😁🙏🏻👍🏻

[@mikefanelli545]

Now, and the hour of death. The two most important times of our lives. Amen, Fr. Mike.

[@joannebywaters4154]

Great teaching, I need to listen again, take notes & ponder!! Thank you Fr Mike & ascension...praying we all choose Heaven!!❤🙏

[@orlindacalmeid2358]

I had changed my mind to donate to zcolumbia University because it goes onto the soil vvs Downstate the ages of not claimed would be thrown 100 miles away from. The coast. The latter ought to void the former forms at downstate hospital hunter downstate hospital Bklyn and Man. bklyn and manhattan .

[@HardRockMaster7577]

Listen at 50% playback speed for best comprehension. It only sounds a little slow at 50% speed.

[@adamvediz8495]

Thank you Fr. Mike!

[@michelelindseth8250]

Thank you for answering my question about body or organ donation. You mention that we will be using bodies in eternity. As God is Who He is, l trust Him to give my soul whatever He will.

[@stevenbook2351]

I’ve been respiratory therapist for a I’ve been a respiratory therapist for 40 plus years. The public needs to realize that the human body does not go on forever. I’m tired of torturing these poor souls until the outcome. Not what I was trained to do, or what I was taught to preserve. Our friends and families need to be observant of what they would want.

[@ginaaldridge9556]

What do you do if you made a mistake & seperated ashes of loved one before learning it was wrong to do so?

[@barblacy619]

Look up definition of sin in catechism. You must willfully disobey. But now that you know better, don’t repeat that error.

[@annemariezeckzer3594]

Fr. Mike, Thankyou so much. I have 2 Relics from Saints that were given to me by a dying man. I am getting older and need to know what to do with them so as to keep things Holy. I am a practicing Catholic in Phoenix Arizona and if you could lend some advice I would greatly appreciate it. I love and feel so inspired by your videos. Thankyou for any Holy advice.

[@MonicasHopeMinistry]

My ministry would welcome relics

[@suzannesellers7383]

My parents died many years ago and were cremated. I have their ashes. My sincere desire when I die is to be cremated and have my ashes mixed with my parents. There seem to be some legal issues with this, unless they are buried on private property, which is not ideal either. I’m praying for a solution.

[@helenhiggins5621]

I'm very poor and could not afford to put My dad in the cemetery but I do plan on it someday I hope he is still going to heaven I feel so bad now I Love him so much I want him to be with the lord

[@JMU9402]

I lost my baby girl at the age of 26 yrs old. Someone dropped a recliner chair on the freeway causing her to go into the median and over like a slip and slide to the opposite side of the road where a man was not paying attention because he was on his phone. He drove into her car even though everyone else saw her coming across. He drove toward her and landed on top of her killing instantly. That was my baby girl. I had said the Rosary many times before asking God to please never take my children from me. And then that happens. I was so angry at God. I have my baby’s ashes because one I put them in the ground I will longer have them. I treat her ashes with importance because that is all I have left of her. He fiance was mad at me because he said she is supposed to be in the ground. Please tell me what God wants me to do with them. I pray that she is with the Blessed Mother, Jesus/god the Father and all the Saints. My Lacey is with her baby sister brother or sister I miscarried.

[@lucerogzz2565]

I am so, so sorry for your loss. For SURE your beautiful daughter is cuddled by our blessed Mother’s Mary’s arms! And she is also playing with Jesus and her siblings! And one day , in many years, your souls will blend in the sweetest hug for eternity. I send you a big hug..😊

[@cherylh.3628]

Thank you for your last comment about not having to scatter remains because that was their request. My sister and I stopped talking to each other for 7 years because this was what my mother wanted. I refused to be any part of this and my sister’s idea of a church service. Instead I had a memorial mass by a priest-friend with just my family and friends attending. I always felt conflicted but you cleared that up for me. Thank you.

[@MultiJoe84]

Surely it’s up to the individual tho?

[@MultiJoe84]

Surely it’s up to the individual tho?

[@dawnwoods3368]

Hi Fr. Mike, I can't pay for a casket or cremation. No family left. I am on disability with no extra money. What will happen to me? Will the church take care of me as a member of the body of Christ? Many thanks, Dawn

[@josephinelovsin4961]

Talk to your priest.

[@williamjourney6753]

Thank you for diving deeper into this topic. I've no doubt there are many people that will benefit from your explanation, as I will. I have no intention of lying to a man of God, so if I'm being honest, there's this: No surprise that many burials with dignity require money that many simply don't have. Distrust in mortuaries have risen due to; body stacking, shaming, capitalization on grief, and other atrocities. I find myself having to make this decision quickly, as my best friend has a terminal heart condition. Thanks to your explanation (if I'm still alive at the time), I will treat his remains with respect. I will also do the same for his mothers' ashes that have a place of honor in his home.

[@annabarrette5997]

What if ypu want to put your ashes in the ocean

[@HardRockMaster7577]

I think that embalming is an indignity to the body, as far as that goes. But it's very common and acceptable.

[@andrea9797mdd]

Such a good explanation. Thank you and God bless you, Father Mike!

[@AscensionPresents]

Thank you for your support, Veronique!

[@lynnw.realtor]

Thank you for the clarity! I feel much better about how I want my body to be treated when I die.

[@MarieJGann]

Father Mike, I understand what you are talking about. I believe that Our Father is so merciful that He understands why my daughter's ashes are near me on the table. I believe that God is so merciful to me that if my daughter's ashes comfort me by being near me at home, He's ok with it. Remember the pharisees and Sadducees had all kinds of rules and Jesus pretty much told them they were wrong. I believe that the Catholic rules puts our Father, Our God in a box. My God can do anything that us humans deem 'impossible'. If Our Father wants to renew my daughter's body and I had scattered her ashes at the four corners of the earth, He will command her ashes to come together, and they would obey and come together for Him. Yes, I have her ashes in a cross. I wanted her to be with me when I graduated college. I have shattered her ashes at different beaches because she LOVED the beach. Do I think I disrespect her or her body? No, I think she is pleased with being at the beach all the time and I think God recognize my intent of shattering her ashes at the beach. The ocean is a bridge to the 'other side'. Water is very symbolic in the bible. The first miracle involved water. Jesus is baptized in the river Jordan. The woman at the well. Jesus asking for water to drink from her. Jesus walking on water. Jesus calming the sea. Jesus washes feet. In fact, water is mentioned a total of 722 times in the bible. More often than faith, hope, prayer, and worship. Water is such an essential component of life, it was created on the very first day. In Revelations water is mentioned again, and it is almost the last words of the Bible. Revelations 22:17, “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes would take the water of life as a gift.” Water flows throughout the scripture, and this should remind us of its importance…both spiritually and physically. Jesus, the source of Living Water, extends an invitation to all who thirst. So, I believe that God is so merciful that He is ok with her ashes with me at home. When I die, her ashes will be entombed with me at a cemetary.

[@annehancock6734]

This is kind of a sore subject for me, because my mom was cremated. I really did not want it to happen. But I did not have much control as my brother had power of attorney not me. It is just the thought of what happened that makes me sad. Of course, I realize her body would have disintegrated over time, but still can’t help but be sad about it.

[@BitsyBee]

I know! I can't imagine even myself being cremated. It seems so violent. But many have to because of expense or limited burial ground. We have no Catholic cemetery in our town just a new parish mausoleum...for cremation!... and it's very, very small!

[@MultiJoe84]

Maybe that’s what she wanted. Everyone’s different I guess. There are some people that find burial unpleasant too. Is there a third way ?!

[@kateforshaw8177]

Yes, there’s now “aquamation.” Bishop Desmond Tutu had that when he died, as a matter of interest.

[@TheLadymiss22]

The cemetery where my Mom’s family is buried are offering burial in just a shroud in a new section.

[@maxcat7630]

With the cost of burial today, some have no Choice but to cremate. 😢

[@randym1544]

What if someone has unknowingly scattered their loved one’s ashes or portions of the cremains thinking they were doing the right thing honoring that person? For instance scattering at sea?

[@barblacy619]

If you didn’t know better it’s not a sin. Go to confession and the priest will explain. Now that you know better, don’t repeat that behavior. That’s what my priest told me. I scattered some of my husband’s cremains per his request BEFORE I returned to Catholicism and found out it was not right. I gathered back the little family urns that remained and had them placed in the vault with rest of his cremains.

[@atomic_poppy]

My Catholic mom and dad got a crypt to be buried together. Sadly my Dad passed in his early 50s, and my brother passed a few years later. My mom wanted to be buried with both of them, but a third casket would not fit, so she opted to be cremated so she could be in the same crypt with them.

[@SenorCinema]

It provides my mom great comfort to have my dad in an urn beside her bed.

[@eyesofamessenger]

Ha! That's great. "Theme song in Hell. I did it my way"... Oh my goodness 🤣🤣 so true

[@fggamesoft4949]

In ancient times was very needed and helpful.

[@vickihoneycutt456]

I listened to you talk about cremation and scattering ashes ,my husband passed 3 yrs ago I still have his ashes however he wanted them scattered. I didn't know as catholics we aren't suppose to. My question is if I scatter them per his wishes am I committing a sin?. Love your sight I'm learning alot and have been catholic all my life.

[@leroymartinez112]

I would like to say “I want to do it your way” for your the holy One!

[@scottyp.644]

Excellent

[@christinetuthill8249]

Thanks Father

[@momemakaheilala2158]

thank you father

[@makalikasan3339]

I remember the verse on dry bones. This issue has been bugging me for long time because I remember one line in the Bible which says that in the end time our body will be glorified and the dead will raise from their tomb. What if the body is cremated and the ashes scattered how can they be raised? Thank you.

[@themonsterunderyourbed9408]

That's why Jehovah's witnesses don't want to donate or receive blood/organs or be cremated.

[@happyandblessed5640]

I think this comes under the verse, If I give my body to be burned and have not love. Corinthians 13. Some saints were burnt, like St Joan. Some poor Christians are blown to bits in war, so 😕 God understands

[@robertstellon7525]

Nice...We are catholic, scattered our son's ashes from a mountain top on Shenandoah, that is God's holy ground to us because He created it. We prayed and scattered the ashes. The body is a husk.

[@joesimons7387]

I believe in the resurrection of the body. Saying that if I am buried rather than cremated I have a problem that thousands of years from now I don't want some archeologist digging me up and desecrating my remains if there is any. I plan on being being Cremated and buried next to my daughter in our family plot in a Catholic Cemetery to wait for the Resurrection. Oh yes I have all this set up now before I pass with a Cremation service that I prepaid for.People regardless of age should do some final planing and not put the financial burden on the family.

[@Paslayas]

My aunt who was not Catholic was cremated per her wish. I don't if she wanted her ashes distribuited among her three children and my mom. I remembered her daughter in law, saying that she had at her house, my mom's portion of her ashes. I calmly replied, y'all need to reunite her ashes and bury her. My cousin, her daughter, expects me to bury my mom with my aunt's ashes. My mom raised her half sister, my aunt, after their passed away. I'm glad you explained why is good to donate organs. I'm a donor organ but wasn't sure if the Church allowed organs' donation, and of cadavers. I'll keep my donor option. Thank you for a clear, positive and always welcome explanation of what God wants and expects from us.

[@rubypersha5881]

my nephew passed on the 26 of april and my sister is having a viewing then cremation then we all will have abit of his ashes in a necklace the Lord loves us all Amen🙏

[@hectors.sanchez23]

Fr. If we come from dust, and dust we return. And God will come for all his children, dust or not God comes for his children. I believe that just as long we bless he dead we are in God's favor.

[@wendyluckie4537]

Amen to Sarah Mulvey. His ability/POWER is boundless. Alleluia