What Does Jesus Say About Cremation?

Does the Bible Address Cremation?

  1. This familiar refrain is typically heard at funerals or, more precisely, at the grave site just before burial.
  2. ″Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust″ is a phrase that is widely repeated.
  3. However, not everyone chooses to be buried in the customary manner.
  4. Cremation is becoming increasingly popular among individuals.
  5. According to a recent poll performed by Choice Mutual, 44 percent of Americans chose cremation over conventional burial, with only 35 percent preferring the latter.
  6. Funerals are extremely expensive, averaging between $7,000 and $12,000.

This is one of the primary reasons people choose cremation over traditional burial.Contrast that with cremation, which may be performed for as little as $1,000..However, as Christians, we cannot simply put the cost as the deciding factor.It’s also important to understand what the Bible says regarding the practice of cremation.To answer your question, the Bible does not clearly state that cremation is wrong.But we need delve a bit further so that we may have a complete understanding of the situation.

What Happens to the Body at Death?

  1. According to the book of Genesis, man was created out of the dust of the earth.
  2. Death entered the earth as a result of Adam and Eve’s transgression.
  3. We are now subjected to pain and death as a result of their sin.
  4. Following our deaths, the following occurs to our bodies: ″You will eat your sustenance by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground, for you were taken from it; for you are dust, and to dust you will return″ (Genesis 3:19).
  5. After death, the body’s natural development is such that it will ultimately decompose and revert to dust.
  6. The time of this process can vary depending on how the body is managed after death, but it will occur regardless of how the corpse is treated following death.

You may even consider cremation to be a more expedient version of what will occur naturally in the body.During biblical times, cremation was not performed inside the country of Israel; instead, burial was the accepted practice.In both the Old and New Testaments, we see evidence of this.Here are two illustrations: ″Then David rested with his forefathers and was buried in the City of David,″ according to 1 Kings 2:10 – ″ ″Godly folk buried Stephen and wept bitterly for him,″ according to Acts 8:2.These are only two examples, but there were many more, including Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Hezekiah, Lazarus, and even Jesus himself, to name a few names.It was considered to be a significant part of the process of mourning and showing respect for people who had passed away.

Despite this, the Bible does not state that the corpse of a deceased person must be treated in this manner at the time of death.While this is unquestionably a cultural decision, it is not necessarily one that is spiritual in nature.

Was Anyone Ever Cremated in the Bible?

  1. The Bible does contain a reference to the cremation of a deceased person’s corpse.
  2. The Philistines discovered the remains of Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa after they perished there.
  3. They cut off Saul’s head and nailed the bodies of Saul and his sons to the wall of Beth-shan, where they remained for several days.
  4. Here’s what happened as a result of it.
  5. Verse 11 through 13 of 1 Samuel 31:11-13 – As soon as the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead learned of what the Philistines had done to Saul, they marched through the night to Beth Shan with all of their courageous soldiers.
  6. They pulled the bodies of Saul and his sons down from the wall of Beth Shan and transported them to Jabesh, where they were burnt alive.

When they finished, they buried their bones near Jabesh under a tamarisk tree, and they fasted for seven days.″ Despite the fact that we are unable to make particular inferences as to why the choice was made to burn the remains, we may infer that cremation is not regarded sinful based on this information.It’s likely that the men who carried out this deed were really paying homage to the remains of Saul and his son, which had been desecrated by the Philistines earlier in the day.I am not arguing that cremation is an honorable option or that it is not, but it is possible that this was the driving force behind the decision.Credit for the image goes to Getty Images/Marc Bruxelle.

Will Cremation Impact Your Soul?

  1. Cremation has no effect on your soul in any way.
  2. It is your relationship with Jesus Christ that will have the greatest influence on your spiritual well-being.
  3. If Christ is indeed your Lord and Savior, then your soul is in good hands.
  4. ″I am the resurrection and the life,″ Jesus declared in John 11:25.
  5. It is possible for someone who believes in me to survive even if they die.″ You may rest assured in the knowledge that you are secure in Christ, and that cremation will not alter this fact.
  6. It is important to keep in mind Romans 8:38-39, which provides you comfort that there is nothing that can separate you from God’s love, which is shown in Christ Jesus.

In this way, cremation will neither remove you from God’s love or have any effect on your everlasting destiny.Despite the fact that cremation has no effect on your soul, you may be concerned about how it may damage your resurrected body after death.Not to be sly, but some people may wonder, ″If I am cremated, how can God raise my ashes from the dead?″ This is a concept that may be even more widespread in circumstances where people opt to scatter their cremated remains.It is critical to understand that your resurrected body will not look or feel anything like your original body; rather, it will be vastly superior to it.″Dear friends, for the time being we are God’s offspring, and what we shall become has not yet been revealed.″ This is stated in 1 John 3:2.But we are confident that when Christ arrives, we will be like him because we will see him for who he truly is.″ Our earthly bodies derive from the dust of the earth, and when we die, our bodies return to the dust of the earth whence they originated.

Our new bodies will have their genesis in heaven, and as a result, they will be able to remain indefinitely since they will be the same sort of body that Jesus has.For better or worse, God is not resurrecting your body out of the dust of the earth, but rather out of the grandeur of the heavens.Your body will be subject to this regardless of whether you are cremated or if it gradually decays over time.

Should You Choose Cremation?

  1. Is it wicked to choose cremation?
  2. That is the underlying tone of this inquiry, and it is likely that you are asking that question.
  3. The answer brings us back to our initial question: what does the Bible say about the origins of the universe?
  4. In this particular instance, there is no evidence in Scripture that you are committing a sin by electing cremation.
  5. As a result, whether you choose to use it or not is a matter of personal preference.
  6. I’ll warn you that if you make this your decision, there will be individuals who will disagree with you on this point.

However, the basis for their dispute is not truly based on scripture, but rather on human experience.Because God has not given a final pronouncement on the subject, you have the choice to choose what you believe is best for you in your circumstance.

What Does it All Mean?

  1. For the reasons I stated at the outset, you can consider cremation to be the most direct manner of determining what will happen to your physical body when you die.
  2. Looking at all of the variables and taking into consideration what the Bible says about cremation, it is possible to put your fears to rest, knowing that you will be able to choose what will be done with your corpse once you die.
  3. If you are in Christ, you are protected and will spend the rest of your life with him.
  4. Apart from that, let us not spend too much time worrying about this corruptible body and what we will do with it when we die.
  5. You should be glad because a new incorruptible body is waiting for you in the hereafter.
  6. At the end of the day, it is the physical appearance of the body that actually matters.

Photograph courtesy of Getty Images /psgtproductions/Anze Furlan/Anze Furlan In addition to being a public speaker and Bible teacher, Clarence L.Haynes Jr.is also the co-founder of The Bible Study Club.He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose, a book that will assist you in understanding how God directs your steps towards his purpose.Also just published is his new book, The Pursuit of Victory: How to Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win in Your Christian Life, which is available on Amazon.Is it possible for you to move deeper in your relationship with the Lord but you can’t seem to get beyond the obstacles that keep coming in your way?

Using this book, you will learn how to put the parts of your Christian life together so that you can live a triumphant Christian life and ultimately become the man or woman of God that you have always desired to be.Visit clarencehaynes.com to learn more about his work and to make a donation.

What Does the Bible Say About Cremation?

  • When determining how to dispose of a deceased person, take the following aspects into consideration. The desires of the dead were carried out. The Bible contains accounts of situations in which family members followed the directions of a deceased person about the treatment of his or her corpse after death. (See also Genesis 50:4, 5
  • Exodus 13:19.)
  • Customs and regulations in the area. These frequently have an impact on the manner in which deceased bodies are treated. (See also John 19:40) For example, in biblical times, people were routinely buried once they died. In the Bible (Genesis 49:31
  • 1 Samuel 28:3), A person may choose to dispose with the remains of the departed in accordance with local practices today, provided that such customs do not clash with biblical precepts.
  • Requirements under the law. The Bible advocates submission to established authority. (Romans 13:1
  • 14:1) In certain jurisdictions, rules governing the disposition of deceased individuals are enacted. For example, in the case of cremation, certain authorities impose limits on where the ashes may be scattered after the cremation ceremony.
  • Others’ emotions are taken into consideration. The Scriptures exhort us to be concerned for the well-being of those around us. Philippians 2:4 (Philippians 2:4) When considering how to deal with the remains of a deceased individual, we could ask ourselves the following questions: What are the feelings of other family members towards the cremation or burial of the deceased? What is the opinion of the local community on such practices?

What Does the Bible Say About Cremation?

  1. As Christians, we desire to demonstrate reverence for the human body.
  2. Despite the fact that the soul has passed on to an everlasting destination, the body serves as a concrete reminder of everything that a person meant to us in this life.
  3. Furthermore, after Christ’s return, the body will be raised from the dead, transformed, and reunited with the spirit for all eternity.
  4. The Bible is the most reliable source for determining if cremation represents the reverence for the human body.

What does the Bible say about cremation?

  1. Even while the Bible mentions the practice of burning the remains of the deceased a few times, it says nothing about the practice of cremation that is already in use today.
  2. The practice of cremation, which is common nowadays, is not particularly addressed.
  3. When it comes to the incidents that are referenced in the Bible, one tale recalls a guy who was stoned and then burnt as punishment for his reprehensible actions.
  4. As the Bible tells us, ″Then Joshua, together with all Israel, brought Achan son of Zerah and everything that he owned to the Valley of Achor, including the silver, rob, gold bar, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys, and sheep, his tent, and everything else he owned.″ ‘Why have you caused all of this hardship for us?’ Joshua inquired.
  5. Trouble is coming your way today, according to the LORD.’ All of Israel then stoned him, and when they had stoned the rest of them, they set them ablaze.″ (See Joshua 7:24–25.) It is mentioned in the following episode that ″courageous″ individuals retrieved and burned the remains of Saul and his sons in order to avoid future disrespectful treatment of the bodies of Saul and his sons.
  6. ″Then they placed his armor in the temple of Ashtoreths, and they chained his body to the wall of Beth Shan,″ according to the Bible’s narrative.

In response to hearing what the Philistines had done to Saul, all of Jabesh’s courageous men woke up and journeyed all night to take Saul’s body and the bodies of his sons off the wall of Beth Shan, and they brought them to Jabesh and burnt them there″ (Samuel 31:10-12).Cremation is not encouraged nor discouraged in the New Testament, and the technique is neither favored nor discouraged.While some Christians are opposed to cremation for personal reasons, there are many others who are fine with the notion of cremation because it is the spiritual body that is permitted to enter Heaven, not the physical body, that is allowed to enter.Nowhere in the Bible does it expressly state that the present practice of cremation is incompatible with biblical principles.Determinations on how to treat the remains of loved ones are more strongly influenced by one’s cultural upbringing.Nothing in the Bible suggests that Hebrew customs were established in accordance with God’s directives, as previously stated.

God did not establish a right or incorrect position on the matter.Burial, on the other hand, was a common practice.Cremation is a type of liturgy, despite the fact that many people do not consider it to be one.

It is a method of coping with issues that have eternal ramifications.As a result, it conveys a message to the recipient.That message does, in fact, go counter to the biblical concept of death.Cremation, on the other hand, quietly implies that our bodies aren’t all that important.A burial service, on the other hand, expresses something that is far more compatible with the Bible.

It underlines not only that the human body is worthy of respect, but also that it has a bright future ahead of it.It asserts that death does not mark the end of the body’s physical existence.Is it any surprise that so many cemeteries bear names that contain some version on the word ″Garden″ in them?We all know that cemeteries are kept in good condition, but that is not what Garden is trying to convey in this context.Because of the promise of the Gospel, because of the promise of the resurrection, we are less concerned with burying the corpses of our loved ones when they pass away and more concerned with planting them.We are buried in order to await the coming of Christ, at which point our corrupt bodies will be transformed into incorruptible ones.

Some people believe cremation is prohibited by the Bible, which makes it a contentious topic for many people and their families.Some people think that cremation prevents you from entering Heaven because the Bible forbids it.This isn’t consistent with what the Bible says.There is nothing in the Bible that prohibits the use of cremation as a method of disposing of a deceased person’s corpse after death.

It is true that burial was the most popular method of disposition in the Bible, and cremation was uncommon.According to Joshua 7:25, when cremation was performed in the Bible, it was a sign of disrespect for the individual.The practice of cremation is common in many cultures who have little respect for the human body or who believe that it is bad.

  1. Furthermore, Christians in such communities are opposed to cremation.
  2. We believe that our bodies were given to us by God, and that they should be handled with care.
  3. After creating the human race, ″God looked at what He had created and thought it was wonderful″ (Genesis 1:31).
  4. Cremation, on the other hand, does not signify that for many people in Western society.
  5. Because the Bible teaches that individuals who die in Christ will one day be resurrected from the dead and given new bodies, many Christians have favoured burial over cremation as a last resting place.
  6. According to Scripture, God is able to gather whatever has been scattered: ″And he will send His angels and gather his elect from the four winds, and they will come from the four corners of the earth, and they will come from the four corners of the heaven″ (Mark 13:27).
  • While cremation is a controversial topic that has caused division in some families, it should be noted that the Bible does not condemn it.
  • Keep in mind that we have everlasting life as a result of Christ’s death and resurrection on our behalf.
See also:  Oh What A Savior Wonderful Jesus

What Does the Bible Say about Cremation?

Should Christians think about cremation as an alternative to burial? What happens to our bodies and souls when we die? Is cremation harmful to them? Consider the following passages from Scripture and Christian doctrine on cremation:

What Is Cremation?

  1. Cremation is a procedure in which great heat is used to reduce the human body to its simplest constituents, ″ashes to ashes, dust to dust.″ It is also known as ″pyrotechnics.″ Because the majority of the body is made up of tissue, the majority of it is vaporized, leaving just bone remains.
  2. In a cremation chamber, which is lined with stone and heated at temperatures between 1800 and 2000 degrees, this process is accomplished.
  3. When someone desires to be cremated, they are often placed in a coffin made of wood or cardboard and placed in the cremation chamber to be burned.
  4. The corpse is destroyed to bone fragments within a few hours after the attack.
  5. Once the bone pieces are on a table, any metal debris, including as pins, screws and titanium limbs, is manually removed from the area around the fragments.
  6. The bone pieces are then placed in a special processor, which grinds the bones into a fine powder after they have been crushed.

These ″remains″ are then put in a plastic bag inside an urn and returned to the loved one’s family for burial or scattering.This practice is becoming increasingly common.The National Funeral Directors Association anticipates that the trend away from burial toward cremation will continue over the next 20 years, with the expected rate of cremation reaching 78.8 percent of all deaths by 2035, according to the organization.50.2 percent of Americans prefer cremation over burial, marking the first time in American history that the majority has chosen cremation over burial.

Why Are More People Choosing Cremation?

  1. One of the most prominent reasons why individuals are choosing cremation over burial is to minimize the costs associated with funeral services and burial.
  2. A typical funeral may cost upwards of $8,000 to $10,000, but the average cost of cremation is $1,500 to $2,500, depending on the circumstances.
  3. There’s also the cost of excavating a cemetery and acquiring a burial site, which are both additional expenses.
  4. Both are priced at around $1,000 apiece.
  5. The Capsula Mundi initiative is a new and developing trend that has emerged in Italy.
  6. These biodegradable urns are available for purchase for around $500.

In their research, Anna Citelli and Raoul Bretzel have designed an organic, biodegradable burial capsule that would convert the nutrients from the deceased’s body into nutrients for a tree that will sprout out of their ashes.The dead is buried in the fetal position after being encapsulated, and either a tree or a tree seed is placed over their capsule to commemorate their passing.As of current now, the project is awaiting approval of burial laws before moving further.If the proposal is adopted, the idea is to replace tombstones with memorial parks that are densely planted with trees.Trees are deeply symbolic and symbolical in many different civilizations throughout the world.The life cycle of a tree is strikingly similar to the human experience in many respects.

God creates us from the moment we are conceived in the womb.In God’s Word, we develop from being weak and frail to becoming strong and towering, and securely anchored in the earth.Eventually, we get old and depart from this world to the other side of the universe.

What Does the Bible Say About Cremation?

  1. The earliest recorded instance of cremation is found in 1 Samuel 31, when Saul and his sons are burnt alive and then their ashes are interred with their bodies.
  2. After hearing about what the Philistines had done to Saul, all of the brave men in Jabesh-gilead got up and marched all night to the wall of Beth-shan, where they grabbed Saul’s body as well as the bodies of his sons, and they burnt them in Jabesh.
  3. They then removed their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree in Jabesh, after which they fasted for seven days in repentance (1 Sam.
  4. 31:11-13).
  5. The only other allusions are found in the book of Amos, in verses 2 and 6 of the book of Amos.
  6. In Leviticus 20:14, cremation is mentioned indirectly since it is used in conjunction with death punishment, which mandates that the criminal be ″burned with fire.″ In the Old Testament, however, there are more than 200 allusions to burial, indicating that this was the tradition of the society at the time.

The typical method of disposing of a human body in ancient Israel was burial in a tomb, cave, or the earth (Genesis 23:19; 35:19; 2 Chronicles 16:14; Matthew 27:60-66).According to John MacArthur: ″In actuality, the Scriptures make no mention of compulsory manners of burial for those who believe in the Lord.Burial was a standard practice in both the Old Testament and the New Testament, according to the Bible.Despite the fact that the Israelites cremated Saul and Jonathan after their deaths, this was not a common practice in Israel at the time.Because their bodies had been disfigured by the Philistines, it was decided to cremate them and then bury the ashes in a mass grave (1 Samuel 31:8-13).When Achan and his family were executed for sinning against Israel, they were burned, which appears to be an exception to the general practice of burial among the Israelites.″

Should Christians Bury or Cremate?

  1. It wasn’t long before my mother passed away that my sister and I had a heated conversation over her wishing to be cremated because she didn’t want to take up room and cause a commotion.
  2. And, as we have stated, ″Mom, you’re right.
  3. Mom, you’re right.″ After that, we laid her to rest in a coffin.
  4. And, I mean, this was a family disagreement that we were having.
  5. Cremation is widely used in the Christian church, particularly in the United States.
  6. It does not sit well with me.

I am not claiming that there is definitive biblical teaching against it, but I wrote an article for Baptist Press a number of years ago in which I enumerated 10 reasons why I preferred the alternative option.And burial is a picture of baptism; I mean, we’re buried with Christ in baptism, and we’re risen in newness of life as a result of our baptism.In certain cultures, it is associated with paganism, such as the burning of bodies in Pagan ceremonies or the burning of pyres in India.I believe that the biblical example demonstrates a particular reverence for the value of the bones in their natural state.They bring the bones back and bury the body that was brought back from Egypt, and so on.I believe there is also a tremendous deal of regard for the human body.

I mean, my mother’s body was the one that gave birth to me and nourished me, and when I look at my mother in the hospital bed with the tiny IVs and other such things, I realize how valuable her body is.In addition, there is a certain amount of respect.I’m only talking about the graveyards and cemeteries as a treasure trove.

How Cave Hill near Louisville contains the remains of the seminary’s founders, and you may stroll inside the spaces where they prayed in reverence.Andis is overflowing with it.He pushed himself out of the grave.The phrase isn’t anything like, ″And the ashes from the breezes.″ There are a slew of compelling arguments, in my opinion, that actual burial of a person is the most appropriate method of disposition.

Is Cremation a Sin?

  1. No specific scriptural prohibition against cremation can be found.
  2. The practice of cremation is opposed by certain Christians on the grounds that it does not acknowledge the fact that God will one day raise our bodies from the dead and rejoin them with our spirits (1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).
  3. In no way does the fact that a corpse has been burned exclude or make it more difficult for God to raise that body from the dead.
  4. He has the ability to revive a body that has been devoured by a shark or a newborn that has been ripped limb from limb and aborted by its mother.
  5. God is as capable of raising the remains of a person who has been cremated as he is of raising the remains of a person who has not been cremated.
  6. The decision to be buried or cremated falls under the purview of Christian liberty and choice.

When we contemplate God’s creation of humans, we can see that this is correct.God created man, according to Genesis 1:26, according to the Bible.The Hebrew word for ″create″ is bara, which means ″to make anything.″ The Bible states in Genesis 2:7 that God created man (Hebrew asah).Due to the fact that both of these texts mention God making man, we may conclude that man was both created and made.God formed Adam out of already-existing material, which was the world.In Scripture, the term translated form is used to describe the work of a potter as he shapes his clay.

Genesis 2:7 has a clever play on words in the Hebrew language.The Hebrew term adam is used to translate the word man, while the Hebrew word adamah is used to translate the word dust of the ground.

Why Does This Matter?

  1. It makes little difference if a loved one is burned, buried, or planted in a pod to grow into a tree.
  2. ″Dust to dust, ashes to ashes,″ the poet said.″ Continuing his discussion of the dying moments of the body in Job 34:14-15, Job stated that, ″If it were his intention, he would withhold his spirit and breath, all mankind would expire simultaneously, and man would return to the dust.″″ At the second coming of Christ, God will raise his people from the dead.
  3. Funerals are intended for the living, since they provide an opportunity to commemorate the lives of their loved ones who have passed away.
  4. It is an opportunity to commemorate, appreciate, and reflect about the lives of those who have passed away.
  5. It also serves as a reminder that, at the end of the day, we are in God’s hands.
  6. He has given us life, the air that fills our lungs, and the physical bodies that house our spirits in their proper places.

We shall see him face to face one day, in a new body that will never wear out for the rest of time and all eternity.Photograph courtesy of iStock/Getty Images Plus/FroggyFrogg Heather Riggleman is a believer, a wife, a mother, an author, a social media strategist, and a full-time writer who lives in the Pacific Northwest.She currently resides in Minden, Nebraska, with her three children, her high school love, and three cats that serve as her personal bodyguards on the homestead.She is a former award-winning journalist who has had over 2,000 pieces published in various publications.She embodies grace and grit, as well as genuine honesty, and she honestly believes that tacos can fix just about every problem.GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and Brio Magazine are just a few of the places you may find her.

You may get in touch with her at or on Facebook.

What Does the Bible Say About Cremation? Our Interpretation in 2019

  1. It’s understandable that as a Christian, you would question what the Bible has to say about cremation.
  2. Or, perhaps more importantly, how God feels about it?
  3. Despite the fact that there is no final answer in the Bible, the majority of religious leaders today will say that abortion is acceptable.
  4. You can find instruction in some of the most essential scriptures and passages, which we will look at in this lesson.
  5. We’ll also take a look at the Christian and Catholic points of view, as well as significant viewpoints from renowned personalities such as Billy Graham and Pope Francis.

History of Cremation

  1. Throughout history, there have been moments when cremation was preferred above other methods of disposal.
  2. Experts believe it has been done for thousands of years, maybe as far back as the Stone Ages.
  3. Because the Romans and Greeks thought there was no afterlife, they began cremating their dead approximately 600 – 800 BCE, when the practice became widespread.
  4. Christian opposition to cremation at that period was partly based on their perception of ancient Greece and Rome as paganism-infested cultures.
  5. Also influencing them was the Bible, which teaches a deep reverence for the human body.
  6. As a result, it was customary for them to bury their deceased.

Or are you unaware that your body serves as a temple for the Holy Spirit who dwells within you and whom you have received from God?You do not belong to yourself since you were purchased at a cost.As a result, honor God via your body.1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (New International Version) The practice of cremation was prohibited and punishable by death in several regions of Europe throughout the Middle Ages, especially when mixed with Heathen customs.It was, however, occasionally utilized by the rulers as a form of punishment against heretics.Additionally, because of the fear of spreading infectious illnesses, mass cremations were sometimes carried out.

By the fourth century, cremation had declined in popularity in early Roman Britain.It later returned in the fifth and sixth century, but this time in a different form.In 1876, the first crematory was established in North America, marking the beginning of the modern era.

By 1900, there were 20, 425 crematoriums, and by 2009, around 37% of individuals had chosen cremation as their last disposition.

What does the Bible say? Common questions about being cremated

  1. Is being cremated considered a sin?
  2. According to Scripture, cremation is not a proper method of disposition of the deceased.
  3. If God considered it to be a sin, he would have condemned it in the same way that He condemned other unwise religious practices.
  4. Are there any ramifications of cremation on the resurrection?
  5. Every day, there are a large number of circumstances in which the human body is completely destroyed.
  6. Firefighters, soldiers whose corpses are destroyed in the line of duty, persons who are lost at sea, and bodies that have been burnt as a result of communicable diseases are all examples of what might happen.

When it comes to answering that issue, there is a solid argument to be made that even when the corpse is buried whole, it will ultimately rot.With God, Christians believe that any and all things are possible.Consequently, the fact that a corpse has been burned would not exclude Him from raising us from the grave.Christians who died hundreds of years ago have almost definitely been reduced to dust by this time.Is it possible that this would prevent them from being resurrected?As the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 12:7 (NIV), dust returns to the place where it came from, and spirit returns to the one who gave it.

Will you be able to go to heaven if you are cremated?It has been raised in certain circles that if there is no whole body, the resurrection will be impossible.That would be implausible, regardless of the manner of death you chose to choose.

Isn’t it true that your faith in God, as well as the way you live your life, decide whether or not you get to heaven?Where in the Bible does cremation come up as an issue?The Bible does not make direct mention of cremation in any of its passages.However, there are other passages in the Bible that talk of the burning of the corpse, such as the two passages below, that are worth mentioning.Further references may be found in the section under ″Cremation Bible verses: King James Version (KJV).″ All of Saul’s courageous warriors woke up and marched through the night, removing the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan and transporting them to Jabesh, where they were burned.

(See 1 Samuel 31:12 for further information).According to the word of the LORD, ″For three sins of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away from them,″ and ″Because he burnt the bones of the king of Edom into lime,″ I will not turn away from them.(See Amos 2:15)

Cremation & The Catholic Church

  1. It’s understandable that many people are perplexed by the Catholic Church’s stance on cremation and its implications.
  2. If you’re familiar with the faith, you’re probably aware that it has modified its views on a number of fundamental concepts over time, including cremation.
  3. As previously said, the church did not believe in the cremation technique since it was linked with the Romans and Greeks, whom they thought to be Pagans, and hence condemned it.
  4. When it came to disposing of their dead, these two societies did not believe in an afterlife and chose cremation over other methods.
See also:  Why Did Jesus

Code of Canon Law

As early as 1917, the Code of Canon Law, which is a compendium of the Catholic church’s regulations, permitted for the cremation of bodies only in the event of a natural disaster, a pandemic, or other conditions necessitating the immediate disposition of the dead.

Change in 1963

A second time, in 1963, the legislation was altered once again to allow cremation as a result of overcrowding in cemeteries, cleanliness concerns, and economic concerns. There was, however, a need that the funeral ceremony be held before the cremation could take place.

The Funeral Service

  1. In 1997, it was established that a funeral ceremony could be held following the cremation of the deceased person’s body.
  2. Nonetheless, the Church was and continues to be determined that a conventional funeral with the burial of the entire corpse is the preferable way of disposition.
  3. It’s crucial to note that no one has ever stated that if a person is cremated, they would not be allowed to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Scattering Ashes

  1. The Vatican set specific instructions on cremation in 2016, which are still in effect today.
  2. It was decided that the ashes would not be dispersed in any way whatsoever.
  3. Rather, the ashes must be placed in a proper grave.
  4. Additionally, displaying the ashes in the house, transforming them into jewelry, diamonds, cremation art, or any other kind of exhibition is not permitted under any circumstances whatsoever.
  5. Cremated remains can only be interred in a cemetery or other religious location.

Christian Views on Cremation

  1. In terms of disposition of a body, Christians place considerable emphasis on it and are quite concerned about making the wrong decision.
  2. It’s unfortunate that there isn’t a clear outline of what is the correct or incorrect option.
  3. In spite of the fact that Jesus did not provide final answers, He did make a comment on what would happen with the body after death.
  4. In Luke 9:59-60, there is a gripping narrative that may help you to relax and unwind, which contains words said by Jesus.
  5. ‘Follow me,’ he urged to another individual.
  6. However, the guy said, ‘Lord, first allow me to attend my father’s funeral.’ ‘Let the dead bury their own dead,’ Jesus said, ″but you go and preach the kingdom of God.″ The fact that Jesus gave such a chilly and harsh response may have given the impression that he was stating that his followers should devote their complete attention to Him and that the disposition of the dead should not be a significant concern for them.

Many Christians believe that our physical bodies will not be present in the presence of the Lord when he returns to rule the earth.

Billy Graham’s perspective on cremation

  1. The well-known Christian leader Billy Graham believes that there is no prohibition against cremation in the Bible, which he says is a mistake.
  2. Although the Bible does not explicitly state that God has the capacity to bring together everything has been scattered, it does state that He will send his angels to gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of all the world to the ends of the skies.
  3. (Matthew 13:27) This is another another compelling argument in opposition to the commonly held belief that a burnt body cannot be revived.

Cremation Bible verses: King James Version (KJV)

  • The following are a few verses from the Bible that speak about the burning of a body after death: 1 Corinthians 13:3 – And even if I give up all of my possessions to feed the poor, and even if I surrender my body to be burnt, if I do not have charity, it is of no worth to me
  • His actions were described in 2 Kings 23:20 as follows: he murdered all of the priests of the holy places who were present, and he burnt human bones on the altars
  • then he returned to Jerusalem.
  • Joshua 7:25 – And Joshua said, ″Why have you caused us trouble?″ This day, the Lord will cause you to be troubled. Afterwards, all of Israel stoned him with stones and set them ablaze with fire after they had already stoned them with stones.

Cremation Verses & References

  1. Among the scriptures cited below, you may have noted that some are auspicious, while others appear to be hostile to the practice of cremation.
  2. Scriptures from the Old Testament, such as 2 Kings 23: 16-20, speak of the degradation of an altar after human bones have been burnt on it; yet, there is no commandment forbidding the burning of a human body in the Old Testament.
  3. Cremation, on the other hand, was not a prevalent practice among Christians in the New Testament era.
  4. When it comes to disposition, the Bible emphasizes burial in caverns, tombs, or beneath the soil as the most typical manner of disposition, as shown in Genesis 23:19 – 35:4; 2 Chronicles 16:14; and Matthew 27:60-66.
  5. However, once again, it does not mandate that burial be the exclusive form of disposition.
  6. When Christians are looking for solutions, they should turn to God for direction, which is the finest conclusion.

According to James 5:16, ″A good man’s effective, ardent prayer accomplishes much.″ The majority of Christians believe that God resides within each and every one of us.We might consider the possibility that He withheld detailed instructions on this topic for a reason and that He expects us to go inside ourselves for the solutions to our own particular choices instead.This final biblical passage, which follows, contains a significant message that should be read and considered: For this reason, brothers and sisters, in light of God’s compassion, I implore you to present your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God—this is the real and appropriate form of worship for which you are called.2 Refrain from conforming to the pattern of this world, but rather allow yourself to be changed by the renewing of your mind.Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, acceptable, and perfect will—because you will have experienced it firsthand.1 and 2 Corinthians 12:1-2

Cremation: A Biblical Perspective

  1. We don’t want to take sides in arguments between spouses and wives since it might be uncomfortable.
  2. However, we are able to provide you with our opinion from a strictly objective standpoint.
  3. Moreover, the first thing we want you to know is that you are not alone in your feelings.
  4. Over the past few decades, an increasing number of Americans have chosen cremation as their final disposition.
  5. In fact, figures show that the number of cremations in the United States more than quadrupled between 1980 and 1990, and this appears to be a trend that will continue in the future.
  6. One of the factors contributing to the increasing popularity of cremation is cost considerations.

The cost is around one-eighth of the expense of a regular funeral.Cremation also provides greater freedom when it comes to organising memorial ceremonies.The funeral home can assist with the cremation and death certificates, but the family is in charge of scheduling the event according to a date that is convenient for everyone involved.Of course, this has not gone over well with everyone.Many individuals are apprehensive about creming the body of a loved one.For some, viewing the body in the coffin is disrespectful, and for others, it denies the family the feeling of closure that comes with being able to see the body.

Some people, like as your spouse, are opposed to cremation because they believe it violates biblical principles.They may create a compelling argument in support of their position to a certain extent.According to historical records, the practice of cremation has its origins in pagan traditions.

More importantly, ground burial has long been the established habit among Jews and Christians alike, dating back to the beginning of existence.It is frequently used in favor of the anti-cremation argument because Abraham acquired a burial location for himself and his wife Sarah, which is a biblically supported position (Genesis 23:9).Joseph ordered that his remains be transported out of Egypt by a team of chariots (Genesis 50:25).The burial of Moses was provided for by the Lord Himself (Deuteronomy 34:5-6).The same procedure was carried on in the New Testament with the burial of John the Baptist (Mark 6:29), the Rich Man (Luke 16:22), Lazarus (John 11:17-19), Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:6-10), and Jesus Himself (Matthew 28:18-20).

(Mark 15:46).The New Testament does not include any references to cremations.Christians who have been rescued by faith from the approaching judgment of fire, according to some, should not be allowed to burn the remains of their deceased loved ones.For our part, we do not feel that cremation should be regarded as a religious or spiritual matter.One may very well argue that the practice of burial in ancient Israel was nothing more than a reflection of the cultural milieu in which the Bible was written.Naturally, as your husband has pointed out, it is true that the resurrection of the body is one of the most significant components of salvation in Christ, and that it is one of the most difficult things to comprehend (see 1 Corinthians 15:42-57).

Nonetheless, the truth remains that all physical bodies eventually disintegrate, whether as a result of deterioration or as a result of fire (Genesis 3:19).According to this logic, God cannot raise people from the dead in both cases.His resurrection does not rely on our individual ashes and chemical components, as we might expect.What’s the harm in trying?

In light of the fact that the resurrected body is a fresh spiritual creation (1 Corinthians 15:44).We encourage you to contact our pastoral counseling team if you and your spouse require more assistance in working through these issues together.ResourcesIf a title is presently unavailable via Focus on the Family, we advise you to purchase it from a different store instead.

  1. What Every Christian Should Know on a Day-to-Day Basis: The Most Important Truths for Developing Your Faith What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters is the subject of this book.
  2. Beliefs held by Christians: The Twenty Fundamentals Every Christian Should Be Familiar with the Concept of Mere Christianity Christianity at its most fundamental What the Bible teaches is as follows: Clear, simple, and understandable explanations of the Bible’s teachings.
  3. Referrals Insight for Living is a publication of the Christian Research Institute.
  4. LeeStrobel.com

What Does The Bible Say About Cremation? – Cremation Resource

  1. While the Bible does not specifically mention cremation, it does indicate that it is a method of disposing of the dead.
  2. Cremation, on the other hand, is not prohibited by the Bible in its New Testament version.
  3. The process of cremation is neither encouraged nor discouraged in the Bible.
  4. Many Christians, on the other hand, think that cremation will render their remains unfit for the resurrection after they have died.
  5. Others, on the other hand, argue that the corpse continues to decay after burial, despite the fact that it has been buried for an extended period of time.
  6. Advertisements *As an Amazon Associate, we receive a commission on qualifying sales.

Furthermore, because God is considered to be all-powerful, it should not be difficult for Him to raise someone from the dead even after they have been cremated.Furthermore, there are many who do not give a thought to burial or cremation because it is the spiritual body, rather than the physical body, that is permitted to reach Heaven.1 Corinthians 15:35-55 is a biblical passage.″It is the same with regard to the resurrection of the dead.″ When we die, our earthly bodies are buried in the grave, yet they will be risen from the ground to live eternally.Our bodies have been buried in a state of brokenness, but they shall be risen in glorious splendor.

They have been buried in a state of weakness, but they will be revived in a state of strength.They are buried in their natural human bodies, but they will be resurrected in their spiritual bodies after death.Because, just as there are physical bodies, there are also spiritual bodies,″ says the author.

There have been instances where the body has been burned, such as in the story of Saul and Jonathan.The Philistines had mangled their corpses before burying them.As a result, their bodies were incinerated and their bones were buried in order to keep them from being ridiculed by the adversary.In another instance, when Achan deliberately committed the sin of seizing the spoils of the battle of Jericho, he and his family were stoned to death and then cremated before being buried in the city of Jericho.According to the Bible, the practice of cremation was seen more as a kind of punishment than as a form of honor in general.

It is true that the vast majority of those who were burnt in the Bible were cursed.Burning is also believed to be beneficial in terms of purifying the spirit, according to paganism.Additionally, it wards off bad creatures and prevents the return of a ghost, if one should occur.According to both the Old Testament and the New Testament, burial is unquestionably the most common method of disposing of a deceased person’s remains.This means that your final disposition will be determined by your own preference between burial and cremation.Instead of being a scriptural issue, it is more of a cultural and philosophical one.

Here’s a video that explains the differences between burial and cremation according to the Bible.

See also:  When Did Jesus Go To Heaven

Given below are a few Bible verses about cremation

  1. 3:19 (Genesis 3:19) Because you are dust, and you shall return to dust, you shall eat bread by the sweat of your brow, for out of the earth you were taken.″ ″By the sweat of your brow you shall eat food,″ says the prophet.
  2. 1 Corinthians 13:3 (New International Version) In the end, ″even if I give up all of my possessions to feed the poor and even if I submit my body to be burnt, if I do not have love, it is all for naught.″ The eleventh and thirteenth verses of 1 Samuel 31 ″And when the residents of Jabeshgilead learned of what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the courageous men woke up and went all night to take Saul’s body and the bodies of his sons off the wall of Bethshan, and brought them to Jabesh, where they were burned there.″ Their bones were taken to Jabesh, where they were buried under a tree while they fasted for seven days.″ 7:25 (Joshua 7:25) ″And Joshua asked, ‘Why have you caused us trouble?’ ‘The Lord will cause you to be troubled today.’ They were stoned with stones by the entire nation of Israel, and they were then set ablaze with fire after they had been stoned with stones.″ 2 Kings 23:15-20 (King James Version) Additionally, the altar at Bethel, the high place established by Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin, that altar, together with the high place, he brought down and burnt, turning it to ashes.
  3. He also set fire to the Asherah.
  4. And when Josiah turned around, he could see the graves up on the mountainside.
  5. Following the word of the Lord, which had been declared by the prophet who foretold these events, he dispatched a team to exhume and desecrate the bones from the graves, burning them on the altar and defiling it.
  6. ″What is that monument that I’m looking at?″ he inquired.

″It is the grave of the man of God who came from Judah and foretold these things that you have done against the altar at Bethel,″ the citizens of the city informed him.Afterwards, he added, ″Let him be; no one should disturb his bones.″ As a result, they left his bones alone, as well as the bones of the prophet who had come out of Samaria, to rest.And Josiah demolished all of the shrines of the high places that were in the towns of Samaria, which had been built by the kings of Israel in order to provoke the Lord’s wrath against them.He treated them in the same manner that he had treated them at Bethel.And he sacrificed on the altars all of the priests of the high places who happened to be present, as well as burning human bones on the altars.Then he returned to the city of Jerusalem.

Ask Pastor Adrienne: Cremation: Is it a sin?

  1. Q: Pastor, I have a question for you.
  2. Is cremation considered a sin?
  3. When Jesus returns, how will the incinerated dead be able to rise from their graves?
  4. A: Cremation is not seen as an immoral activity in the Bible, according to the author.
  5. To be really honest, the subject is not addressed at all in the exhaustive lists of directions for life and dying provided by almighty God in both the Old and New Testaments.
  6. The quick answer to your question appears to be no; cremation does not appear to constitute a sin in this context.

Having said that, the biblical accounts of funerals describe that God’s people were laid to rest in tombs, which were typically made of hewn rock of some type and sealed with a stone.The bodies of loved ones were wrapped or covered in fabric and perfumed with herbs, and their corpses were left undisturbed in their caves so that they may revert to dust in their natural condition.When it comes to ancient periods, cremation (the burning of the body) was a tradition that was solely done by a number of pagan (demonic) religions: the corpse would be put atop towering funeral pyres and set fire.According to legend, the deceased’s essence was transported to the afterlife by the smoke produced by their cremated ashes.When the Bible mentions someone being burned with fire, it appears to be a reference to the sort of life that person led – those who were enemies of God and God’s rules were immediately burnt as a form of death retribution.A large cremation is found just once, though, and it is a rare occurrence: ‘The next day, when the Philistines went to the battlefield to claim possession of the slain Israelite soldiers’ weapons, they discovered Saul and his three sons lying dead on Mount Gilboa, where they had been killed the day before.’ Saul’s head was cut off by the Philistines, and his armor was torn off by them.

When they finished, they fastened his body to the city wall of Beth-Shan, and they placed his armor in the temple of the goddess Astarte.They also dispatched messengers across Philistia in order to disseminate the good news in the temples of their deities and among the general populace.It was brought to the attention of the people who lived in Jabesh in Gilead about what the Philistines had done to Saul’s body.

As a result, some valiant warriors from Jabesh traveled to Beth-Shan one night.They hauled the bodies of Saul and his sons down from the hill, then brought them back to Jabesh where they were burnt.Their sadness was expressed by fasting for seven days under a little tree in Jabesh and burying the bones there (1 Samuel 31:8-13, CEV).Saul, David’s forefather, was a divinely anointed king who lost sight of his mission.He died as a result of his delusional delusions, his hunger for more power, and his involvement in combat.

His heirs, with the exception of one, died with him.The corpses had been mutilated so terribly by their adversaries that a small group of humane individuals decided that cremation would be the most respectful way to dispose of them.Despite this, they continued to bury the royal bones that had been left behind by the conflagration.As a result, how should we respond to the modern-day cremation conundrum?Consider the following examples, all of which are based on common sense: God is a superhuman being who possesses omnipotence.He is the instigator and architect of the human race.

In order to make every human person who has ever lived, he utilized atoms, molecules, cells, and zillions of other microscopic things.It follows that God is completely capable of identifying and reconstructing us when we ″meet him in the air″ on the day of Jesus’ resurrection, when we ″meet him in the air″ (1 Thess.4:17).Nobody will be sent to the trash heap or forced to give up their place in paradise because God couldn’t find all of their parts!

Furthermore, the concept of being reduced to ash is not all that far from the original dust from which we all came: ″By the sweat of your brow you will eat bread until you return to the ground, for from it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return″ (Genesis 3:15).(Genesis 3:19, NASB).God examines the contents of our hearts to determine how we conduct ourselves.

  1. He does not appear to be interested in our preferred technique of body disposal.
  2. Individual decisions on the last elements of our existence are left to us to make.
  3. If the thought of cremation as a kind of pagan alignment offends your spirit, then it is not the right choice for your situation.
  4. If you choose to return to the dust from which you came, feel free to do so.
  5. But be certain that by the time you reach your final day, you’ve left a legacy of witness to Jesus Christ and his great gospel message of redeeming grace behind you.
  6. Do you want to ask Pastor Adrienne a question or make a comment?
  • To contact Adrian New Greene, please send an email to [email protected] or write him at P.O.
  • Box 214, Harrison, Ohio 45030.
  • Those interested in finding out more about Pastor Adrienne, or who wish to purchase her book, ″Ask Pastor Adrienne: 100 Best-Loved Columns,″ may visit her website.
  • slot=″timestamp″ publishdate=″2020-01-02 13:34:13 +0000 UTC″ updateddate=″2020-01-02 13:34:15 +0000 UTC″> publishdate=″2020-01-02 13:34:13 +0000 UTC″ updateddate=″2020-01-02 13:34:15 +0000 UTC″>

Vatican bans Catholics from keeping ashes of loved ones at home

  1. The Vatican has declared that Catholics are prohibited from retaining the ashes of cremated loved ones at home, spreading them, distributing them among family members, or transforming them into mementos of their deceased loved ones.
  2. According to rules revealed during a news conference in Rome on Tuesday, ashes must be interred in a sacred location, such as a cemetery, before being scattered.
  3. In recognition of the growing number of Catholics choosing cremation over burial, the church’s doctrinal and disciplinary council issued a warning against ″new conceptions detrimental to the church’s faith,″ according to the New York Times.
  4. According to Cardinal Gerhard Müller, the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, burial is preferred than cremation in the case of the deceased.
  5. In his words, ″We came from the ground, and we will return to the earth.″ According to the Catholic Church, ″the church continues to continuously propose that the corpses of the deceased be buried in cemeteries or other hallowed land.″ However, he went on to say that the growth in cremation since the practice was legalized in 1963 necessitated the creation of new criteria, highlighting a rising trend toward ″domestic″ conservation.
  6. According to the law, cremated remains must be interred ″in a holy place,″ which might be a cemetery, church, or any location designated for this purpose.

Keeping ashes in one’s house is not permitted, according to the minister.″ Further, in order to avoid any form of pantheistic, naturalistic, or nihilistic misunderstanding, the dispersion of ashes in the air, on the ground, on water, or in any other manner is not permitted, nor is the conversion of cremated ashes into commemorative objects.According to the rules, a bishop may only grant permission for ashes to be maintained at home in exceptional circumstances.The ashes of loved ones are sometimes kept on display, such as in urns or other specific receptacles; however, some prefer to disperse them in gardens of remembering or other particular places.For example, you might use ashes to create works of art or incorporate them into construction projects.You could even have ashes pressed into vinyl records to create a musical keepsake, or you could manufacture fireworks or jewelry out of them.It states Pope Francis authorized the paper, Ad Resurgendum cum Christo, which is dated 15 August and is titled Ad Resurgendum cum Christo.

Prior to All Souls’ Day on November 2, when the faithful commemorate and pray for the deceased, the instructions were made public.

What Does The Bible Say About Cremation? – You’ll Be Surprised

  • Traditional funeral services and burials of a loved one included numerous key components, including: embalming of the body
  • a casket and vault
  • facilities for a visitation or viewing
  • burial ground or crypt
  • a headstone and grave liner (if necessary)
  • and a coffin and vault.
  1. However, as early as the turn of the twentieth century, the other option for disposing of human remains, known as cremation, began to gain recognition as a viable and less-expensive alternative.
  2. Cremation does not necessitate the use of embalming or other burial goods, and the simplicity of the process has piqued people’s attention.
  3. Cremation is quickly becoming the favored method of burying or cremating a deceased loved one in today’s society.
  4. Many people of faith, however, are perplexed about the legality of this approach, and they frequently turn to the Bible to find out what the Bible says about cremation.
  5. When it comes to cremation, what does the Bible have to say?
  6. Let’s have a look at some of the most important concepts to grasp.

What Does the Bible Say About Cremation?

  1. The Bible makes almost no reference to cremation, and it is almost entirely silent on the subject.
  2. Both the Old and New Testaments allude to burial as the customary practice for the Israelites and the early Christians, and this is supported by archaeological evidence.
  3. Cremation was frequently used as a kind of punishment in biblical times, rather than as a norm for the majority of the population.

Old Testament

  1. A passage from Genesis, the first book of the Bible, contains the words ″ash to ashes, dust to dust,″ which many people take to mean that it is permissible to burn a dead body as an alternative to burial.
  2. Many scholars, on the other hand, believe that this passage is simply stating that our bodies will eventually decompose after we die, regardless of how we choose to be buried.
  3. Cremation is first mentioned in the Bible in 1 Samuel 31:11-13, when Saul and his sons are burned alive and then their bones are buried after suffering terrible ravages to

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.