(Latin: cremære, to burn)
The destruction by fire, of the human body, in opposition to the burying of corpses. It was customary among the semi-barbarous Pre-Canaanites, but neither universal nor constant among the Greeks and Romans. The Jews buried the dead. Hence, the Christians had the example of the Semites for their own exclusively employed form of burying their dead. The Church has never deviated from this time-honored practise. Although no article of faith would be jeopardized by cremation, it was looked upon as an abomination in the sight of God, being a violent and unnatural destruction of the human body, as Boniface VIII declared. It is well known that Freemasons especially promoted cremation in a defiant way, particularly since their meeting at Naples, 1869. The number of crematories does not increase rapidly, as men instinctively abhor the process. The Church has frequently warred against it, consequently the law of the Church reprobates cremation. It is not lawful for a Catholic to carry out the order of anyone who chooses or directs that his body be cremated (canon 1203). Those who order their body to be cremated, unless they retract this order before death, are deprived of ecclesiastical burial (canon 1240). Those who dare to command or compel competent authorities to give Christian burial to such as have their bodies cremated incur excommunication reserved to none.
Note: the most recent Code of Canon Law states:
The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burial be retained; but it does not forbid cremation, unless this is chosen for reasons which are contrary to christian teaching. (canon 1176.3)