The Catholic duty to honor the deceased with dignified burial and Christian funeral rites
To bury the dead is to provide dignified Christian burial for the deceased, honoring the body as temple of the Holy Spirit and affirming belief in resurrection. CCC: "Bodies of the dead must be treated with respect and charity" (CCC 2300). Includes funeral rites, burial/cremation, ongoing prayer. Affirms human dignity in death.
Abraham buried Sarah (Gen 23). Tobit buried dead at risk (Tobit 1:17-20). Christ's burial: Joseph provided tomb (Matt 27:57-60). Early Christians buried martyrs.
Catacombs: Early Christians buried dead reverently. Medieval: Burial in consecrated ground, funeral Mass. Modern: Catholic cemeteries, Order of Christian Funerals (1989).
Burying the dead is rooted in Scripture and Church history. From catacombs to modern Catholic cemeteries, the Church provides dignified burial affirming the body's sacred nature and resurrection hope. This work includes arranging funerals, supporting bereaved, proper burial, ongoing prayer. Funeral rites commend souls to God's mercy and express faith in eternal life. When we bury the dead, we honor God's image and proclaim resurrection hope.