Until this change, the Vatican had ruled out scattering loved ones’ ashes, although in practice many bereaved people ignored the ban.
The Vatican’s doctrinal body, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has now issued a document signed by Pope Francis that outlines the change.
“Church authorities may take into consideration and assess a family’s request to duly preserve a minimal part of the ashes of one of their relatives in a place that is significant for the history of the deceased,” said the document.
ANSA
