Catholic priest’s ashes turned into diamond against Church teaching

OSIMO, Italy (LifeSiteNews) — A Catholic priest arranged before his death for his cremated remains to be transformed into a blue diamond, prompting his diocese to emphasize Church teaching that cremated remains should not be turned into jewelry or other objects.

93-year-old Father Lanfranco Casali, who died on November 22, 2025, arranged to be cremated and have his ashes transformed into a gemstone through a costly process carried out by a Swiss company. His decision became public on September 6, when a video he recorded about one year before his death was released.

“It is my wish that my ashes be transformed into a diamond and that this diamond be placed in a sacred location designated by the local Church,” Casali said in his video statement. “This is a deeply symbolic process of transformation,” the priest added. “In a certain sense, it speaks to us of how … in a person, all that ultimately remains is his or her spirituality.”

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In explaining his reasoning, Casali connected the transformation of his ashes with the imagery of light, love, and transfiguration. He said that becoming a diamond would signify being transformed by God’s love and described the ashes as material that could become a “diamond with countless facets” reflecting God’s love.

“I would like to be a diamond with innumerable facets, so as to experience and reflect the blazing rays of God’s love! … Constantly going forth. I repeat: constantly going forth!” concluded Casali, echoing Pope Francis’ “avanti” refrain.

Casali also expressed the hope that his choice could become an option for others. He said he wanted the local Church to designate a sacred place for those who might choose the same form of burial in the future.

The Diocese of Fano-Fossombrone-Cagli-Pergola responded on September 9, asserting Casali had good intentions while clarifying that his decision had been “personal” and “was not shared with the bishop” or other diocesan authorities.

“It is a personal choice of the deceased priest that was not shared with the bishop or others,” the diocesan statement reads, later making mention of “the many good works” Casali had carried out during his ministry and directing Catholics to the Church’s authoritative teaching on cremation and the treatment of ashes.

In particular, Bishop Andrea Andreozzi of Fano, called “everyone to observe the authoritative Ecclesial Magisterium that defines the matter in question in the Instruction Ad Resurgendum cum Christo, issued by the then Congregation – now Dicastery – for the Doctrine of the Faith on August 15, 2016.”

The instruction states that burying the bodies of the deceased expresses Christian belief in the resurrection of the body and emphasizes the dignity of the human body as an integral part of the person. It also teaches that burial in cemeteries or other sacred places provides an appropriate expression of respect for the dead and encourages family members and the Christian community to remember and pray for them.

According to the instruction, cremation may be permitted when it is chosen for legitimate reasons – such as hygiene, economic considerations, or social circumstances – provided it is not motivated by reasons contrary to Christian doctrine. The Church nevertheless continues to prefer burial because it expresses greater respect for the bodies of the deceased.

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The Vatican document is explicit about what may be done with cremated remains, stating that, to avoid confusion associated with pantheistic, naturalistic, or nihilistic ideas, ashes should not be dispersed and should not be converted into “memorial mementos, pieces of jewelry or other objects.” It further notes that hygienic, social, or economic reasons cannot justify such practices.

While calling attention to Church teaching regarding the interment of human remains, the diocese stopped short of openly condemning Casali’s act.