A family in Slovenia has now had to experience a funeral
of a somewhat different kind: Because he did not agree that the ashes
of the deceased should be scattered, a Catholic priest left the ceremony
unexpectedly.
The relatives were left perplexed, as reported by Slovenian media (Thursday).
According to the newspaper reports, the deceased's wish came as a complete surprise to the priest at the cemetery.
Instead of delivering the eulogy as planned, he "shouted" at the family, said a prayer - and left the ceremony in indignation.
"It seems more and more like a dream," said the shocked daughter of the deceased.
Diocese: priest not allowed to take part
As he left, the parish priest in Martjanci in eastern Slovenia is said to have described the planned ceremony as a "sin".
The Slovenian Bishops' Conference stated that priests are allowed to lead a farewell ceremony, but not to take part in the scattering of the ashes of the deceased.
The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Victor Fernandez, confirmed the ban in a document dated 9 December.
In it, he refers to an ecclesiastical regulation from 2016, which provides for the burial of ashes in cemeteries.
This remains valid.
Meanwhile, experts in Germany are calling for more openness when it comes to burials.