<p>My uncle, who was a devout Roman Catholic, died nearly a year ago, and his kids had him cremated. The family is supremely disfunctional, and they’ve also suffered loss of one of the siblings this year and another with serious mental illness. Meanwhile, Uncle is sitting in a box on a shelf in someone’s closet, which is apparently not appropriate for Catholics, and most definitely not what he wanted. There was no service (funeral mass?) when he died. (He did have last rites when he was in his final illness.)</p>
<p>So I’ve gotten involved in helping to coordinate an interment for him in the cemetery where my folks are buried, and where he wanted to be buried. He wanted military honors, and I know how to arrange that. But I don’t know if there is anything religious that is done at the interment when it involves cremated remains being put in a niche.</p>
<p>Is there a rite? Do I just call up the local Catholic church near the cemetery even though he wasn’t a member of that parish? If a priest (deacon?) comes out, what do I give him in the way of money? The remains are in whatever box the mortuary provided – do we need to fit that into another box that then goes into the niche?</p>
<p>Is the uncle’s own parish not in or near the same city/town as the cemetery? If not, I would go to the local priest and he’ll know what to do. A private funeral mass and trip to the cemetery would probably be adequate.</p>
<p>Yes, there are burial rites. I have no idea how it is handled a year after death, but imagine it would be similar to immediately following. If it is a Catholic cemetry, someone there will be able to guide you. If not, call the local, or the uncle’s parish and ask for help.<br>
Generally, you give the church a donation.</p>
<p>His remains must be in a burial vault to be interred. It is made of concrete or cultured marble and intended not to be broken or disturbed by regular cemetery maintenance - they run around $400 to $1500. The type of urn/container that is meant ot remain above ground will not be acceptable. Each state has rules about this so you should call a funeral director to find out.</p>
<p>We had a memorial and inurnment (that is the correct term) for my mother, who passed away about a month ago. I am speaking from experience.</p>
<p>You are kind and wise to try to comply with the known wishes of your relative. As advised here, please consult the parish of your uncle, or the one closest to you, for further advice. Best wishes.</p>