The catechism of the Catholic Church states: "2301 ... The free gift of organs after death is legitimate and can be meritorious. The Church permits cremation, provided that it does not demonstrate a denial of faith in the resurrection of the body."
The revised Order of Christian Funerals in the Catholic Church establishes a preference for three sequential rites consisting of:
- A Vigil usually held in the funeral home
- A Funeral Mass with the casket in church
- A Committal of Cremated Remains at the cemetery or columbarium.
The Catholic Church has long supported organ and tissue donation.
