Cremation

In general burning the body was viewed as dececration. Of course many martyrs were burned and since we will have new bodies in heaven it really isn't a sin, but it's just generally viewed as being disrespectful to the remains. I personally feel that what becomes of our remains is irrelavent, but i want to have a tradional viewing and burial because my experience has been it provides more closure for the loved ones left behind. I don't like saying goodbye to a pile of ash.

http://www.independencebaptist.org/Books_by_the_Pastor/Cremation.pdf

Sheena_Va said:

I'm sure this question has come up in here before, but I can't seem to find anything linking to it other than in the Catholic forum.
Does the Bible say anything directly about cremation? Opinions are welcome, but if anyone has actual scripture for/against it, I'd really like to learn more.

Click to expand...

Whew, I had to dig for this... here is an answer from a course I took...

2 Chronicles 16:14

Cremation

There is, naturally, a division of opinion among commentators concerning the "very great burning" of our text-verse. Some believe that the fire was the burning of the odiferous substances that were collected, this is understood from the account of Asa whose body was laid on the ashes of such materials, and by the promise that was made to Zedekiah concerning his burial, Jeremiah 34:5 "But thou shalt die in peace: and with the burnings of thy fathers, the former kings which were before thee, so shall they burn odours for thee; …". On the other hand it is thought that burning spices and perfumes for the dead does not find a parallel in the customs of any nation ancient or modern, so these various passages must refer to the burning of the body together with the spices on a funeral pyre. Saul and his sons were cremated and one hundred and forty years later when the body of Asa was burned, the historian refers to it not as a new custom but rather a custom already established.

In the time of the revolution the custom of cremation was considered the most distinguished honor, not to be burned was regarded the most signal disgrace. Another change of sentiment took place after the captivity when the Israelites had a great hatred of this rite, and the Talmudists endeavored to explain the passages respecting it as referring to the burning of the aromatic substances alone.


Let me know if you need more and I'll dig out the textbook