Cremation

[leothelioness]

I'm personally not a big fan of cremation as I'd much rather be buried, but I've heard there are some who believe it is wrong. Is it and is there any scripture that speaks to this?

 

[Marcus Constantine]

It's really not addressed in Scripture because it wasn't something that was commonly done in the Ancient Near East. Burial signifies a belief in the afterlife and, for the Christian, a belief in resurrection. Obviously God will resurrect us regardless of the physical state of our body, but it is more of an outward showing of "this is what I believe." Cremation in religious practices generally signifies a belief in reincarnation or that your body is evil and your spirit alone matters. The Bible doesn't teach that matter is evil, but does teach in a literal resurrection. Because of this, Christians have traditionally been buried, not cremated.

 

[JM]

Before I was a Christian I wanted to be cremated when I died, now, I'm not so sure.

 

[98cwitr]

i personally couldn't care less what happens to my body after I die.

 

[DD2008]

I'd rather be buried.

 

[desmalia]

It's definitely a matter of personal choice. If you think it's morally wrong, you should not request it for yourself. Personally I would prefer to be cremated because I don't want to leave the financial debt of burial, casket, etc. And the ceremony of spreading the ashes over a chosen loved place can be helpful to the grieving process for those left behind.

 

[DD2008]

..... And the ceremony of spreading the ashes over a chosen loved place can be helpful to the grieving process for those left behind.

Unless they're standing downwind. Then it can be downright disturbing...

 

[desmalia]

Unless they're standing downwind. Then it can be downright disturbing...

Actually that happened to us when we sprinkled my dad's ashes at sea last year. It was disturbing, but we have always had a kinda warped sense of humour in our family, and all ended up laughing until we cried. Very appropriate send-off for us in the end, and Dad would have been proud. The poor fellow driving the boat didn't know what to say though, lol.

 

[DD2008]

Actually that happened to us when we sprinkled my dad's ashes at sea last year. It was disturbing, but we have always had a kinda warped sense of humour in our family, and all ended up laughing until we cried. Very appropriate send-off for us in the end, and Dad would have been proud. The poor fellow driving the boat didn't know what to say though, lol.

That is pretty funny.

Have you seen Meet the Parents? The guy knocks the urn off the mantle with a cork, then the cat uses it for litter?

 

[faceofbear]

About a year and a half ago when I started searching for God I thought cremation was a sin. The reason being was because I felt that if someone was cremating then how would the dead be risen from their graves? However, I talked to a Pastor about it (I think I did, or maybe I read it somewhere), either way, wherever I heard it from, they made the point that a cremation shouldn't prevent God from accomplishing His goal.

However, I also originally thought that being a donor might be a sin as well because the Levitical (I believe) Law condemned putting cuts on your body (which would also make surgeries a sin).

I was weird when I first started reading the Bible, lol. Nor did I understand the difference between Old Testament Laws and New Testament Laws, and I still don't fully get it. I know Christ fulfilled some of the Law, but I don't get what Laws specifically we're free from, since it seems the moral laws are repeated in the New Testament, which I suppose is because God's nature still doesn't change.

Anyways, I don't think the Bible condemns it anywhere. Not to my knowledge.

 

[desmalia]

That is pretty funny.

Have you seen Meet the Parents? The guy knocks the urn off the mantle with a cork, then the cat uses it for litter?

Yup!!

About a year and a half ago when I started searching for God I thought cremation was a sin. The reason being was because I felt that if someone was cremating then how would the dead be risen from their graves? However, I talked to a Pastor about it (I think I did, or maybe I read it somewhere), either way, wherever I heard it from, they made the point that a cremation shouldn't prevent God from accomplishing His goal.

However, I also originally thought that being a donor might be a sin as well because the Levitical (I believe) Law condemned putting cuts on your body (which would also make surgeries a sin).

I was weird when I first started reading the Bible, lol. Nor did I understand the difference between Old Testament Laws and New Testament Laws, and I still don't fully get it.

Anyways, I don't think the Bible condemns it anywhere. Not to my knowledge.

I have a friend who, when she was still a very new Christian, read a bit about not eating pig meat in the OT and thought it was a sin. For about a month she didn't touch the stuff, and was mortified she'd been eating it prior. Then when I was at a party with her, I ate some finger food that had bacon on it and she was shocked. I explained about kosher law, etc. and then she felt very embarrassed for cutting out all pig meat. But I told her it was actually very good that she made such a serious change when she believed it was wrong. She held to the conviction and refused to betray it, even though it was misguided. Her reaction was right, she just didn't have all the information yet.

 

[Streampaws]

Before I was a Christian I wanted to be cremated when I died, now, I'm not so sure.

Same with me. It is a very hard choice for me.

 

[98cwitr]

why does it matter? You're dead!

 

[leothelioness]

why does it matter? You're dead!

I would agree with this.

So far, no one has provided any scripture, so I'm assuming the Bible doesn't talk about this. It's funny how people will offer "Biblical reasoning" on why cremation is evil. Eh, I don't really see anything wrong with it. It's much cheaper than burial.

 

[Andres88]

There are no Bible verses condemning the practice of cremation. Some people, however, think that it would be wrong because it brings up the point of what would happen in the end of the world, since that person would not have a body. My thought is that God has no limitations of any kind. Plus, there are people (and martyrs) who have died being set on fire.

So, I personally don't see anything wrong (yet) about this practice, but I would prefer to be buried than cremated.

 

[DeaconDean]

There is nothing wrong or a sin from being creamated.

In Eccl., in two places it speaks of where we came from and where we shall return to:

"All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again...Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." -Eccl. 3:20; 12:7

We are told that the sea shall give up her dead. Some have been sleeping there for several millenia.

John tells us:

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." -1 John 3:2 (KJV)

This earthly body is nothing but flesh. It is carnal, fleshy. When we die, we lose that. But in the resurrection, we will be given a new body, one that is glorified just like Jesus', just like John says.

So what does it matter anyway?

It is my wish that if I live long enough and don't see Jesus' physical return, then I want to be creamated and have my ashes poured out on the sea.

After all, on that great resurrection day, I'll have a new body.

We sing a song in church which expresses this:

When I Wake Up To Sleep No More

1. What A Glad Thought Some Wonderful Morning
I Shall Hear Gabriel's Trumpet Sound.
when I Wake Up (When I Wake Up) To Sleep No More (To Sleep No More).
rising To Meet My Blessed Redeemer,
with A Glad Shout I'll Leave The Ground,
when I Wake Up (When I Wake Up) To Sleep No More (To Sleep No More).

chorus:

when I Wake Up (On Some Glad Morning)
to Sleep No More (Jewels Adorning)
happy I'll Be (Over In Glory)
on Heaven's Bright Shore (Telling The Story)
with The Redeemed Of All The Ages
praising The One Whom I Adore.
when I Wake Up (When I Wake Up)
to Sleep No More (To Sleep No More).

2. Glory To God I'll Have A New Body,
changed In The Twinkling Of An Eye.
when I Wake Up (When I Wake Up) To Sleep No More (To Sleep No More).
leaving Behind All Trouble And Sorrow,
bound For That City Up On High.
when I Wake Up (When I Wake Up) To Sleep No More (To Sleep No More).

chorus:

3. I Shall Behold The Beauties Of Heaven
wth The Redeemed Of Ev'ry Race,
when I Wake Up (When I Wake Up) To Sleep No More (To Sleep No More).
'neath The Green Trees Beside The Still Waters
i Shall Then Find A Resting Place
when I Wake Up (When I Wake Up) To Sleep No More (To Sleep No More).

chorus:

That pretty much sums it up.

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[leothelioness]

Since a few people have mentioned it, what is all this about not having a body at the end? Do people believe that we will be bodily resurrected like Christ was? Does the Bible say that we will?

All I've ever seen is that we will be given a glorified spiritual body. I've never read about the flesh being resurrected.

 

[Sphinx777]

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What Do You Think Of Natural Burial?​

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[DeaconDean]

Since a few people have mentioned it, what is all this about not having a body at the end? Do people believe that we will be bodily resurrected like Christ was? Does the Bible say that we will?

All I've ever seen is that we will be given a glorified spiritual body. I've never read about the flesh being resurrected.

When I say flesh, I mean this current body we reside in, the one with skin and bones, and blood and muscles.

The Bible tell us that flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (cf. 1 Cor. 15:50)

So in order for us to enter heaven, we have to be given a glorifed body.

On Jesus' resurrection day, fresh out of the tomb, Mary Magdalene was weeping because she thought somebody had broke in and stolen the body of Jesus.

"Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him." -Jn. 20:13 (KJV)

When she finally realizes who it is speaking to her, she wanted grab and hold Him and He said to her:

"Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father:" -Jn 20:17 (KJV)

Reason being, Jesus had not yet received His glorified body.

Later on, after receiving it, we have the story of Thomas.

Thomas said to the other disciples:

"Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe." -Jn. 20:25 (KJV)

A week later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples and Jesus said to Thomas:

"Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing." -Jn. 20:27 (KJV)

Now does it not make sense that since Jesus said flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of God, and since Jesus had received a glorified body by this time, and considered that John also said that Jesus appears, we shall see Him as He is we shall be as He is?

The apostle Paul says that on the resurrection day, the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we (the living, redeemed, Christians) we all be changed in the twinkling of an eye. (1 Cor. 15:52)

The reason, our bodies as Paul says, is corruptible, this corruptible must put on incorruptible, this which is mortal, must out on immortal. (1 Cor. 15:53)

Its all in scripture.

Glory To God I'll Have A New Body,
changed In The Twinkling Of An Eye.
when I Wake Up (When I Wake Up)
To Sleep No More (To Sleep No More).
leaving Behind All Trouble And Sorrow,
bound For That City Up On High.
when I Wake Up (When I Wake Up)
To Sleep No More (To Sleep No More).

Glory to God...Amen!

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[Marcus Constantine]

Since a few people have mentioned it, what is all this about not having a body at the end? Do people believe that we will be bodily resurrected like Christ was? Does the Bible say that we will?

All I've ever seen is that we will be given a glorified spiritual body. I've never read about the flesh being resurrected.

When Paul speaks of Christ's resurrection or the resurrection of believers he uses the Greek word Soma, which means body. Gundry makes a good statement on this in his Soma in Biblical Theology:

The soma denotes the physical body, roughly synonymous with flesh in the neutral sense. It forms that part of man in and through which he lives acts in the world. It becomes the base of operations for sin in the unbeliever, for the Holy Spirit in the believer. Barring prior occurrence in the Parousia, the soma will die. That is the lingering effect of sin even in the believer. But it will also be resurrected. That is its ultimate end, a major proof of its worthy and necessity to the wholeness of human being

Historically speaking, the resurrection of believers was understood to be a bodily resurrection by the early church and has continued in most Christian circles (I use the term "Christian" loosely here). Most Jewish theology before Christ also believed that the Tenakh taught bodily resurrection. I Corinthians 15 speaks in detail about Christ's resurrection and our own. I won't do a complete exegesis of the passage, but here is a highlight:

48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.

Paul just finished making a case for the literal, physical resurrection of Christ. He then, in the above verses, tells us that we are currently like the other people we see around us, but after the resurrection we will be similar in nature to Christ and his form. Paul does speak of a "spiritual body" during this time, but it is clear he isn't speaking of us being dis-embodied spirits. It is spiritual in quality and will be free from the effects of sin, but Paul makes it clear it will be similar to Christ's physical, resurrection body. Also, remember that Christ is called the first-fruits of the resurrection - the first harvest. You won't have one two different crops being harvested from the same field. We are compared in that analogy to Christ in that what happened to him - will happen to us.