Our promise: Your data is stored and processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Reply. Lastly, Jesus himself, as the believer’s example, was buried and raised bodily from the dead. There is no Bible command regarding either burial or cremation of the dead. are not the norm. In Genesis 2:7, the Bible says God formed man (Hebrew asah). Cremation generally involves the application of high temperature, typically between 1,400 and 2,100 Degrees Fahrenheit (760 to 1,150º C), to a wooden box or casket which contains a dead body. Whether cremation or burial, more likely, the deceased already had said their wishes before they passed away. What are the most common reasons why Christians wanted their dead buried and not burned? Will Christians Go Through The Tribulation? The Bible itself doesn't give clear guidance about cremation or burial. It is burial that Paul has in view in using the analogy of sowing seed in the, be happy if I go with cremation and not burial. Bible-era practices are described in Unger’s Bible Dictionary as follows: “Interment in Bible times followed soon after death, as is evident in the narratives of the burial of Sarah (Genesis 23:1-20), Rachel (Genesis 35:19-20), and Rebekah’s nurse (Genesis 35:8). The comparison about the cost between burial and cremation. Some of these variations are for religious or cultural reasons; others are for practical reasons. It’s true there is no explicit command against cremation in the Bible, but there are still some texts that may apply in a less direct way. Ultimately, burial customs reflected the worship of God in the context of cultural norms. In Amos 6.8–10 there is an apparent reference to cremation as a normal practice: 'If ten people are left in one house, they too will die. The Bible does not give specific directions for the disposal of the body following death. What does the Bible say about cremation… should a Christian be cremated? There is no command to bury, and there is no prohibition to cremate. But the most compelling Biblical support for burial is seen in the death and burial of our Lord Jesus Christ himself. Here I am thinking I am to young to worry about dying, when in our congregation, one of our Brothers in Christ passed away and he wasn’t even forty himself. There is really no right or wrong answer to this question as we have studied God’s Word. The question of burial or cremation is within the realm of Christian freedom. After bouncing this idea off a few friends and theological types I soon found out that some Christians are strongly opposed to cremation. Cremation was practiced in biblical times, but it was not commonly practiced by the Israelites or by New Testament believers. Big eye opener for me, made me rethink about not leaving any burden to my family when the good Lord takes me. How many evangelicals would choose cremation if it cost as much or more than a simple, traditional service of burial? First, I am not saying that by using cremation that we are not Christians. Both run around $1,000 each. Apart from practical considerations like cost, the main thing is that the service should speak powerfully of Christ's victory over death and of the Christian's eternal hope. Most Relevant Verses. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps … Rate of cremation in the United States from 1998 to 2018. All that remains in the cooled ashes are bone fragments, which are ground into sand-like particles that contain only 1 or 2 inorganic elements which would not be recreated back to life by a changeless God who originally created life from the six or more initially select. What does the Bible say about cremation… should a Christian be cremated? Our Bible Q&A series explores the questions you've asked us about the Bible. Christ’s body was carefully prepared with spices, wrapped in strips of linen, and then buried in a tomb owned by a rich man. Cremation in the Bible and references to burial are mentioned throughout the course of it. © Copyright and permissions Privacy policy Cookie policy Terms and conditions Safeguarding summary Pension Scheme, British and Foreign Bible Society operates in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.And we also work with a network of local Bible Societies around the world. The history of cremation attests to its roots in pagan societies whose idea of a human being is similar to Greek gnosticism, and who have no hope of a bodily resurrection. Can I Lose My Salvation Being A Christian. | (Photo: Passion Conference) Christians should prefer burial rather than cremation based on what the Bible says about the human body in relation to God and resurrection, John Piper advises. Very few. When we consider how God created mankind, it supports this fact. It is burial that Paul has in view in using the analogy of sowing seed in the ground. Although, burial was certainly the favoured method and is referenced on many occasions in the bible. The main reason alot of people choose cremation is the cost, let us be honest, how many of us are prepared for death. The costs for burials differ from cremation costs. Some Christian Churches have tended to favour burial over cremation because it seems to speak more clearly of belief in resurrection – though of course in most circumstances the complete destruction of the body is still the end result. 1. This burial in a rich man’s grave was even foretold by Isaiah, “And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death” (Isa 53:9), pointing to the importance of his burial. NEWSLETTER & BLOG SUBSCRIPTION. I share some reasons why in this video and the article that follows. Burial prices are through the roof. The attitude of the Christian's heart will show deep respect for the wonderful body that God designed. Our bodies are like corruptible seeds in the image of earthly Adam sown into the ground, but in the resurrection, we will have incorruptible, spiritual bodies in the image of the Man from heaven (1 Cor 15:42-49). What does the Bible say about cremation? How should a person plan for a Christian funeral? First of all, burial, not cremation is exclusively mentioned and recommended in the Scriptures. The funeral home gave us this information for us to share with anybody that needed their services. But neither is right nor wrong. They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days. We believe in a, that brought bones back to life (Ezekiel 37), how can we not expect. Registered charity 232759. Some people respect the process of allowing the body to decompose naturally and consider cremation merely as hurrying the process while others believe that cremation denotes reverence. Philippians 1:21-23. It’s true there is no explicit command against cremation in the Bible, but there are still some texts that may apply in a less direct way. Is God and Jesus the same or are they differente? Whether motivated by economics, a concern for land use, or the loss of community ties, those who chose cremation over burial made up 25.5 percent of all deceased in 2000. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Before he died in Egypt, Joseph instructed his people to carry his bones out of Egypt to be buried in the Promised Land, believing in God’s promise that Israel would someday return to their homeland (Gen 50:24-26; Jos 24:32). How bodies are disposed of after death has varied very widely around the world and across the centuries. Does The Bible Say Marriage Is Between A Man And A Women, What Does God Say About Tattoos And Body Piercings. Did we Honor and Glorify His name while we where alive? Frequently, people choose cremation because they perceive it to be cheaper than burial. Secondly, because Christ himself was the Word became flesh in the incarnation, and given a glorified body at his resurrection, the human body should be hallowed as well. Your email address will not be published. Cremation and burial in the Bible. When people pre-plan their funerals and think about what will happen to their body after they pass, they often have many questions about the differences in cremation and burial. Scriptures have no direct or explicit command prohibiting burning or cremating the dead. The Bible teaches that God never changes. In almost all cases where the disposal of a body is recorded in scripture, burial is the method described. No rules about burial or cremation. Secondly, burial is included in the Scriptural definition of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as written in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). 8 Bible Verses about Cremation. The Christian Church gave primitive burial practices a dignity that expresses the church’s importance. Every body, whether it is dried up into dust, or is dissolved into moisture, or is compressed into ashes, or is attenuated into smoke, is withdrawn from us, but it is reserved for God in the custody of the elements.'. Joseph commanded that his bones be carried out of Egypt (Genesis 50:25). Cremation and burial in the Bible. Take a look at the following information to see what this entails. First of all there is no specific teaching in the Bible about cremation and any concerns one has about it is self imposed and irrelevant, having said that. Me, made me rethink about not leaving any burden to my family when the good Lord takes.! 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