Abstract: A through flow exhaust particulate filter element of the type including a ceramic monolith structure having a plurality of thin interlaced gas filtering porous internal walls defining a plurality of parallel passages extending to opposite inlet and outlet ends thereof, said passages including a first group comprising inlet passages open at said inlet end of the element and closed by plugs at the outlet end and a second group comprising outlet passages closed by plugs at said inlet end and open at said outlet end, the plugs of the outlet passages at the inlet end of the element being of a ceramic porous material corresponding in porosity substantially to that of the porous internal walls whereby exhaust gases can flow therethrough so that particulates will be trapped by these porous plugs to thus permit flame travel along these plugs to adjacent inlet passages during incineration of collected particulates on the filter element.