Don’t keep cremated remains at home – Archdiocese of Manila

MANILA, Philippines—As families prepare to remember their departed loved ones this Undas, the Archdiocese of Manila has reminded Catholics that cremated remains should be laid to rest in a grave, mausoleum or columbarium.

In an Oct. 24 circular released on Friday, the archdiocese cited the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ Liturgical Guidelines on Cremation.

“The cremated remains should be buried in a grave, mausoleum, or columbarium…the urn should not be kept permanently at home or family altar,” the guidelines read.

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Separately, Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos told the Inquirer that the guidance reflects the Catholic faith in the resurrection of the body and the dignity of the human person.

He also emphasized the importance of having a designated place for families to remember their departed loved ones.

“A cemetery or columbarium also gives family and community a shared place to pray for and remember the deceased.”

Alminaza said keeping an urn at home is generally not permitted, except in grave and exceptional circumstances under conditions specified by the Vatican.

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His comments come as Mandaluyong City allows families to temporarily take home urns from the Ash Repository and Columbarium of the Garden of Life Memorial Park for Undas.

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The city government said the arrangement aims to prevent overcrowding in cemeteries during the observance and give families an opportunity to remember their departed loved ones at home.

Families are expected to return the urns on Nov. 5.

While acknowledging families’ desire to honor their departed loved ones, Alminaza said leaving urns in their designated resting places would be more consistent with Church guidance.

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“In light of the Church’s guidance, the more fitting practice is to leave the urn in its resting place and make it easier for families to visit, pray, and remember there.” /gsg