Palms from Palm Sunday, having been blessed, are considered holy objects and should be treated with respect. Here are the proper ways to handle and dispose of them:
What to Do with Blessed Palms from Palm Sunday
- Keep as a Sacred Reminder : Many people keep their palms at home as a sacramental, placing them behind religious pictures, crucifixes, or on prayer tables as a reminder of Holy Week and Palm Sunday throughout the year
- Craft with Palms : While fresh, palms can be shaped into crosses, palm roses, banners, or other religious symbols. These crafts serve as devotional items and help keep the spirit of Holy Week alive
- Proper Disposal : Since blessed palms are sacred, they should never be thrown in the trash. The respectful ways to dispose of them include:
- Burning : Palms can be burned, and the ashes are often saved by the church to be used on Ash Wednesday the following year, connecting the liturgical cycle
* **Burying** : If burning is not possible, palms can be buried in a place where they will not be disturbed, such as under a tree or in a natural area
- Returning to Church : If you cannot burn or bury the palms yourself, you can bring them back to your parish. Many churches collect old palms to burn them for making ashes for Ash Wednesday
Additional Notes
- Avoid throwing palms in the garbage or landfill, as this is considered disrespectful to their sacred nature
- If you have no access to a yard or garden, you can bury palms in local woods or other natural settings, making sure they are not trampled
- Palms can be kept fresh for a short time in water to enjoy before crafting or disposal
In summary, blessed palms from Palm Sunday should be kept as sacred objects, used for devotional crafts, or properly disposed of by burning or burying, ideally through your parish's collection for Ash Wednesday ashes
