Texas Catholic cemeteries are developing free burial options for aborted babies

The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops is in discussions with Catholic cemeteries in the state to provide proper burials for aborted babies at no cost.

Earlier this month, the Texas Department of Health and Human Services finalized a new regulation that would require abortion facilities and hospitals to cremate and bury the remains of aborted fetuses.

The conference stated in a Dec. 12 news release that many hospitals already work with families, funeral homes, and cemeteries to provide proper burials for children who die in the womb, the Catholic Herald reported. It also noted that many Catholic cemeteries in Texas have provided such services for years.

"To bury the dead is a work of mercy. As Pope Francis reminds us, the victims of our 'throwaway culture' are 'the weakest and most fragile human beings.' It is right and just for us to be assisting the victims of abortion," said Jennifer Carr Allmon, the conference's executive director.

Catholic cemeteries have estimated that the burial costs will range from $1,500 to $13,000 annually. There are more than 50 Catholic cemeteries in Texas, and the conference hopes to work with other cemeteries, funeral homes, and mortuaries.

Allmon said that the Catholic ministry will be available to all, regardless of their situation.

"We must treat the remains of all human beings, no matter how long they lived or how they died, with dignity, charity and respect. In addition, this ministry offers a place to pray for healing to those who regret their abortion, or for abortion workers who leave the industry," she said.

According to a report from the Department of State Health Services, 54,902 abortions were performed in Texas in 2014. There were 2,200 fetal deaths in the state that same year.

Meanwhile, the Center for Reproductive Rights and other groups filed a lawsuit to prevent the state from implementing the regulations on the proper burial of aborted babies.

The new rules were supposed to take effect on Dec. 19, but U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks blocked it until, at least, next month. The lawsuit argued that the requirements intend to shame women who seek abortions and make it more difficult for doctors to provide them.