text: mokntx, you're absolutely correct, especially about the lost opportunity to discover, learn, and quite frankly wonder in awe. 
  i had great hopes that "Laudato Si" would set us in an entirely new frame of mind regarding ecology and catholic spirituality. i know that many saw it as a "liberal" document,focused on political and practical earthly matters,  but i read it as a document deeply rooted in tradition and with profoundly mystical contents. it seems this sensibility did not carry over to this statement on cremation.
  i guess i'm less uncomfortable with this announcement regarding cremation because is at least upholding something democratic and authentic in the practice of the faithful over the centuries rather than an imposition of a committee of bishops. 
  i would say, however, if the practice of the faithful is changing-and clearly it is-, perhaps the bishops shouldn't react with fear that the faith is being diluted and distaste for new developments, but search for the good instead