Cremation: The clash of tradition and pragmatism I. Introduction
Main claim: In light of the rising costs of funeral and wake services, cremation becomes a more practical option for Filipinos because it is more affordable, and allows for a more efficient use of space, as well as accessibility to visitors; nevertheless, it is still controversial to those who rigidly follow traditional Catholic burial rites. A. Difference between cremation and traditional burial B. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines or CBCP’s preference for inhumation (traditional burial rites) and the liturgical guidelines on practicing cremation C. Filipinos’ initial reaction when introduced to the practice of cremation and their present response II. Presentation of Criteria A. Affordability 1. Claim: Cremation is more affordable than traditional burial rites, and many Filipinos—especially the financially incapable—will benefit more in cremating their deceased loved ones. 2. Supports: Price range of cremation versus that of funeral services (caskets, lawn lots, maintenance); Statistics of the increasing number of Filipinos choosing cremation for its lower expenses B. Availability of Space 1. Claim: Cremation allows for a more efficient use of space than traditional funerals, which require burial lawn lots. 2. Supports: Report on how major cities in the NCR are running out of burial plots to accommodate the deceased; Increase in sales of ash vaults (columbarium) in the Philippines C. Accessibility 1. Claim: Columbaria, where cremation urns are placed, are more accessible than cemeteries. 2. Supports: Controlled environment in Columbaria; Cases of bad weather and “traffic” in cemeteries in major cities that hinder relatives and friends from visiting their deceased loved ones. III. Argument
Regardless of expenses and advantages, some Catholics view cremation as an act of desecration and would rather pay the (often expensive) cost of continuing traditions, as per their religion or their religious communities’ request.
Counterargument: The Catholic Church no longer prohibits cremation and has made allowances for those who choose it, so long as the full course of the Order of the Christian Funerals should still be celebrated (wake, liturgy, and Rite of Committal). The Catholic Church has acknowledged cremation as a viable and beneficial alternative to traditional funerals, especially for the financially incapable, in order to save costs and space. IV. Conclusion
In the Philippines, where the cost of dying has been at close edge with the cost of living, cremation becomes a widely accepted funeral rite. Its advantages—lower costs, effective use of space and accessibility to visitors—have ushered Filipino citizens to consider it as a funeral rite and the Catholic Church has long since considered it being an option. The decision to bury or to burn lies not in the question of which rite is better, but which an individual values more: tradition or practicality.