Dictionary
A modern dictionary of Catholic terms, both common and obscure. Find accurate definitions of words and phrases.
BURIAL, CHRISTIAN
Internment of a deceased person with the Church's funeral rites in consecrated ground. Since it is an honor granted by the Church, it follows that the Church may determine who is worthy of it. The general practice of the Church is to interpret certain prohibitions of Christian burial as mildly as possible. Doubtful cases are referred to a bishop. If the burial is to take place in a cemetery that has not been consecrated, the grave must be individually blessed before a Catholic person is interred.
All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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