In 1963, the Catholic Church lifted its prohibition forbidding Catholics to choose cremation.

The 1983 Code of Canon Law clarifies the Church’s stand on cremation in Canon 1176, “The Church earnestly recommends the pious custom of burying the bodies of the dead be observed, it does not however, forbid cremation unless it has been chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching.” Cremation is prohibited only if the person choosing cremation does so to deny Christian teachings, especially those of the resurrection of the dead and the immortality of the soul. The church strongly prefers that cremation takes place after the full Funeral Liturgy where the body is present, for “This is the body once washed in baptism, anointed with the oil of salvation, and fed with the bread of life.” When this is not possible it is appropriate that the cremated remains be present for the Funeral Mass. The cremated remains are to be buried or placed in a mausoleum. Scattering cremated remains at sea, from the air, on the ground or keeping them at home is not the reverent disposition that the Church asks.