To the editor:
I found it curious to include a book review of “Hope to Die” by Scott Hahn, which is critical of cremation on “theological grounds” in the same issue that features a full back page advertisement for Angels of God Cremation Garden in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
Granted, the book review did address the cost comparison between burial and cremation as a deciding factor for many, but did not address the negative theological implications purported by Mr. Hahn in his book.
The Church’s position should have been clearly stated that cremation is NOT, in and of itself, a violation of current theological teaching.
A clarification is warranted.
Jerry Norton
Railway Crossing, Webster
EDITOR’S NOTE: The inclusion of disparate elements is not unusual, since journalistic norms dictate that editorial decisions be made in isolation from advertising concerns. Coincidentally, however, this issue features a story on the cremation garden’s Sept. 19 dedication, and in response to Mr. Norton’s suggestion, we have added a brief summary of Catholic teaching on cremation.
