Death is the separation of soul and body, when the body of a human being becomes lifeless while the soul continues to live. For a Catholic, a funeral is the service for the deceased and the ceremonies connected with the burial of the dead. What is perishable when it is sown is imperishable when it is raised. A cemetery is a place for burying the dead. For Catholics the ground or plot of land is to be consecrated or blessed.
Cremation is the reduction of a human body to ashes by fire.
The Church earnestly recommends that our ancient custom of burying the dead be observed. Cremation, however, is permitted unless it has been chosen for reasons which are contrary to the Christian teaching on the resurrection of the body. Reincarnation is the erroneous concept that the souls of the dead return to earth in new forms or bodies. After death and individual judgment a person may go to heaven for all eternity, or to purgatory temporarily and then to heaven, or to hell for all eternity. Right now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then we will see face to face.