Cynthia from Chicago called in with a real-life moral dilemma: her late sister asked for her ashes to be scattered in the ocean, but Cynthia’s pastor said, “Nope, can’t do it.” Cue the Catholic teaching moment! 📚



Here's Fr. Simon's response!



The Church’s Teaching: We believe in the sacredness of the body: it's not just some shell for the soul. Nope, it’s you! That’s why scattering ashes or keeping them in random places doesn’t fly. Burying or placing them in a columbarium or mausoleum shows reverence for the body, as it waits for resurrection. 🙏



“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust”: Fr. Simon reminded Cynthia this phrase reflects the biblical belief that our bodies return to the ground, not water. He also pointed out how burial aligns with Jewish and Christian tradition, contrasting with pagan practices of scattering remains.



A Creative Solution: Cynthia was feeling bad about breaking her sister’s wish. Fr. Simon said, “Hey, honor her memory another way!” Maybe toss a biodegradable picture into Lake Michigan (bonus: it flows to the ocean 🌊) or something symbolic, like a figurine. 💡 Just don’t litter, y’all.



Oh, and he threw in a spooky cautionary tale about people who didn’t bury their loved ones properly and ended up with, uh, mysterious noises at night. 👻



Fr. Simon’s Mic-Drop Moment:



“A bad promise is better broken than kept.” (Thanks, Abe Lincoln.)





Big Takeaway: The Church’s rules aren’t just red tape: they’re rooted in love and respect for who we are, body and soul. Cynthia left the call feeling relieved, with a plan to honor her sister in a way that’s creative and Catholic. 🙌



Fr. Simon’s mix of humor, history, and pastoral advice? 10/10. 🏆





The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Cynthia from Chicago called in with a real-life moral dilemma: her late sister asked for her ashes to be scattered in the ocean, but Cynthia’s pastor said, “Nope, can’t do it.” Cue the Catholic teaching moment! 📚
 
Here's Fr. Simon's response!
 
The Church’s Teaching: We believe in the sacredness of the body: it's not just some shell for the soul. Nope, it’s you! That’s why scattering ashes or keeping them in random places doesn’t fly. Burying or placing them in a columbarium or mausoleum shows reverence for the body, as it waits for resurrection. 🙏
 
“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust”: Fr. Simon reminded Cynthia this phrase reflects the biblical belief that our bodies return to the ground, not water. He also pointed out how burial aligns with Jewish and Christian tradition, contrasting with pagan practices of scattering remains.
 
A Creative Solution: Cynthia was feeling bad about breaking her sister’s wish. Fr. Simon said, “Hey, honor her memory another way!” Maybe toss a biodegradable picture into Lake Michigan (bonus: it flows to the ocean 🌊) or something symbolic, like a figurine. 💡 Just don’t litter, y’all.
 
Oh, and he threw in a spooky cautionary tale about people who didn’t bury their loved ones properly and ended up with, uh, mysterious noises at night. 👻
 
Fr. Simon’s Mic-Drop Moment:
 
<blockquote>
“A bad promise is better broken than kept.” (Thanks, Abe Lincoln.)
</blockquote>
 
 
Big Takeaway: The Church’s rules aren’t just red tape: they’re rooted in love and respect for who we are, body and soul. Cynthia left the call feeling relieved, with a plan to honor her sister in a way that’s creative and Catholic. 🙌
 
Fr. Simon’s mix of humor, history, and pastoral advice? 10/10. 🏆
 
 
The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

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