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Why is the practice of cremation increasing? Is there still justification for the Catholic Church’s traditional preference by for the ancient custom of burial? The article discusses the arguments put forward in sociological, anthropological and pastoral terms and, most importantly, identifies a series of consequences for funeral ministry, not only as regards the essential ritual accompaniment of the cremation process (presence at the crematorium, deposition of the urn in the ground or in a columbarium), but also as regards the designation of local funeral teams who work with the family through the various stages (or stations) of the funeral ceremony. He also examines the totality of the recent practices and issues concerning cremation (keeping the urn at home, scattering the ashes in nature or in a memorial garden, the appearance of “oases of eternity” on a mountain, giving rise to “death tourism”, etc.).