Vatican Allows Personal Ashes Keepsakes in Special Circumstances

The Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has stated that, under certain conditions, Catholics may keep a small portion of a loved one's ashes in a personal place of significance. The request must be evaluated by ecclesiastical authority, and the family must reject any misunderstandings related to pantheism, naturalism, or nihilism. The ashes should be kept in a sacred place, and the Church emphasizes the importance of sacred respect towards the deceased. The commingled ashes of baptized individuals can also be set aside in a permanent sacred place. The Vatican's regulations on the preservation of cremated ashes, including the prohibition of spreading ashes, remain valid. The Church believes in the bodily resurrection of the dead, even if the body has been destroyed or dispersed, and the conservation of ashes helps prevent the deceased from being forgotten or shown disrespect.