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Cremation Services

Cremation in the Catholic Church

Cremation is a practice that has been accepted by the Catholic Church for over 50 years. While traditional burial is preferred, as Christ was buried in the tomb, the Catholic Church offers two options when choosing cremation. In the Catholic Tradition, a funeral enables family and friends to join together in a celebration of faith to remember the life of a loved one who has passed. It is preferred that the body of the deceased is present for the vigil and funeral services; however, it is possible to have a memorial service with the cremated remains present. To respect the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit, the Church teaches that cremated remains should be kept together (not scattered or divided) and preferably interred in the consecrated grounds of a Catholic Cemetery. The cemeteries offer sacred places for the living to memorialize their loves ones, with a variety of burial choices including personalized glass front niches and beautiful cremation burial sites.

To learn more, click on the resource below:

|  Vatican  |  USCCB  |  CFCS Video  |

For those choosing cremation, the Catholic funeral tradition provides sacred and beautiful rituals that bring comfort to loved ones. There are two options when choosing to have a church service that is a beautiful expression of faith and reverence:

Traditional Option:

Other Option:

Our CFCS Cremation Services

Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services (CFCS) of Colorado, a ministry of the Archdiocese of Denver, owns and operates its own crematory and offers a variety of cremation choices, from a simple gathering to a traditional ceremony. Our experienced and dedicated staff can guide you in selecting services to suit your family’s needs.

Cremation Plans

CFCS offers four cremation plans to best meet the needs of our local community. We are here to guide you through this process and to ensure that your wishes are fulfilled. See the information below on our cremation plans. Contact us with any questions or to schedule a meeting with one of our advisors to learn more.

Traditional Cremation Plan

Vigil/Visitation, Funeral Liturgy at Parish/Church or Funeral Home Chapel & Committal.

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  • Basic Services of our Funeral Director and Staff
  • Transportation:
    • Transfer of decedent into our care (Local Denver Metro Area)**
    • Funeral Coach (Hearse)
    • Utility/Flower Vehicle
  • Use of Facilities and Staff:
    • Vigil/Viewing/Visitation up to 4 hours
    • Funeral Liturgy at our Funeral Home Chapel or Church and Committal at cemetery
  • Preparation of Decedent:
    • Embalming
    • Dressing, casketing and cosmetics
    • Cremation following service (additional fee for oversized cremation)
  • Merchandise:
    • Memorial stationary package (includes registry book, 100 prayer cards/folders, and 25 acknowledgment cards)*
    • Crucifix/Cross (first Crucifix/Cross included, additional for an extra cost)*
  • Discount for Purchasing a CFCS Cremation Casket,* Container,* or Rental Casket & Urn*

*  Taxable items

**  Transportation outside of the Denver metro area will be subject to an additional charge per mile.

Visitation Cremation Plan

Visitation and Committal Only

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  • Basic Services of our Funeral Director and Staff
  • Transportation:
    • Transfer of decedent into our care (Local Denver Metro Area)**
    • Funeral Coach (Hearse)
    • Utility/Flower Vehicle
  • Use of Facilities and Staff:
    • Viewing/Visitation up to 2 hours and Committal at cemetery
  • Preparation of Decedent:
    • Embalming
    • Dressing, casketing and cosmetics
    • Cremation following service (additional fee for oversized cremation)
  • Merchandise:
    • Memorial stationary package (includes registry book, 100 prayer cards/folders, and 25 acknowledgment cards)*
    • Crucifix/Cross (first Crucifix/Cross included, additional for an extra cost)*
  • Discount for Purchasing a CFCS Cremation Casket,* Container,* or Rental Casket & Urn*

*  Taxable items

**  Transportation outside of the Denver metro area will be subject to an additional charge per mile.

Memorial Cremation Plan

Cremation, Memorial Service at Parish/Church or Funeral Home Chapel & Committal.

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  • Basic Services of our Funeral Director and Staff
  • Transportation:
    • Transfer of decedent into our care (Local Denver Metro Area)**
    • Funeral Coach (Hearse)
    • Utility/Flower Vehicle
  • Use of Facilities and Staff:
    • Memorial Service at our Funeral Home Chapel or Church and Committal at cemetery
  • Preparation of Decedent:
    • Cremation preceding service (additional fee for oversized cremation)
  • Merchandise:
    • Memorial stationary package (includes registry book, 100 prayer cards/folders, and 25 acknowledgment cards)*
    • Crucifix/Cross (first Crucifix/Cross included, additional for an extra cost)*
  • Discount for Purchasing a CFCS Cremation Casket* or Container*  & Urn*

*  Taxable items

**  Transportation outside of the Denver metro area will be subject to an additional charge per mile.

Direct Cremation

Cremation Only

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If you want to arrange a direct cremation, you can use an alternative container. Alternative containers encase the body and can be made of materials like fiberboard or composition materials (with or without outside covering). The containers we provide are made of cardboard. The decedent must be in a container or casket made of combustible ridged materials.

Our charges include the following services:

    • Fee for reduced services of Funeral Director and staff
    • Transportation:
      • Transfer of decedent into our care (Local Denver Metro Area)**
      • Transfer of decedent to the crematory
    • Cremation charge (additional fee for oversized cremation)
    • Includes Polyurethane temporary cremation urn
    • Cardboard alternative container from our mortuary*
    • Additional Cremation Casket or Container options are available. Please see our casket price list for prices.*
    • (Cremation container can be provided by purchaser at no additional charge)
    • Other cash advance items, merchandise and committal may also be added at addition cost (please see pages 6 & 7 of our General Price List).

*  Taxable items

**  Transportation outside of the Denver metro area will be subject to an additional charge per mile.

For questions about our Cremation Services, contact one of our friendly and experienced staff today at 303.502.9179 or send us a message.

To Receive Your Free Funeral and Cemetery Planning Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Church’s Position on Cremation?

While there is a preference for traditional burial, as Christ was buried in the tomb, the Church has permitted cremation for over 50 years. Cremation should respect the human body and belief in the Resurrection.

When Should Cremation Occur?

The preference is for cremation to occur following the funeral liturgy so that the body can be present for the vigil and funeral services. However, it is possible to have a funeral service with the cremated remains present.

What is the Proper Handling of Cremated Remains?

The Church teaches that cremated remains should be kept together (not scattered or divided) to respect the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and preferably interred in the consecrated grounds of a Catholic cemetery.

What CFCS of Colorado can Offer:

Our cemeteries are sacred places for the living to memorialize their loved ones, with a variety of burial choices including personalized glass front niches and beautiful cremation burial sites.

Financial concerns should never stop one from choosing a place of permanent remembrance. As such, we also provide to people of all faiths the dignified placement of cremated remains at no cost to the family with our Crypt of All Souls Program.