www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology At the end of life

My wife and I recently had to create a special needs will to provide for the care of our disabled child. In the process we had to make a living will, since our child is incapable of making decisions for us. The topic came up of what to do with our bodies after death.

What are the current teachings of the church on cremation?

Also, is there a stand on the donation of one's organs/body to science? From what we understand, after the educational institutions have completed their studies the body is then released for burial or cremation.

Thanks,

mike

The Catholic Church no longer opposes cremation so long as it is a dignified action.

Donating one's body to a medical school for medical students is considered a great final gift. Two of my relatives donated their bodies. A Mass of Remembrance was held although it was not a funeral Mass, per se.

I wonder if any of the Catholic or Orthodox Churches have taken a position on cryogenics. There is a company in Arizona, I believe, that will deep freeze your body until a cure is found for your terminal illness. You are then brought back to life 100 years or so from now. Sounds bizarre to me, but some people are paying $10,000 to be frozen.

JP

The Catholic Church position on cremation changed in 1963. The Orthodox don't seem to approve of it, preferring burial.

I can't answer the second part of your question.

ICXC
NIKA

I read a story about that, the people are taking three chances:

- that a cure will be found
- that society will be interested in reviving a person over 100 years out of date
- that they can be revived, so far no one (oerson or animal) ha been successfully revived.

mike

The being dead bit is a problem for them. I suppose they are hoping for a Lazarus expereince but even he had to died eventually.

ICXC
NIKA