Is Cremation Wrong For Christians?

[No Swansong]

From my friend who is an Anglican Priest working on his Doctorate. I don't think he would mind my sharing this info.


John, I don't know of any strictly Anglican text or work on the
subject. I do know, however, as I'm sure you do, that the practice is
widely approved in Anglican circles today. You may already have these
references but here are two online mentions of the subject. One is just
from Kendall Harmon's blog, but I really like his response - better
than most I've ever heard. The second link seems to be a more thorough
listing of resources available on the history of the practice.

titusonenine.classicalanglican.net/?page_id=11714

Well, the second is a huge, unwieldy link. Try google book search on
Anglican thought on cremation to get to this site.

 

[Albion]

Well as they say opinions vary. I really see no difference in "nature" between one decomposing and one being consumed by fire.

The dead body is placed in the ground in the one case, and nature does the rest. In the other case, a funeral home destroys the body. Whether the compacting is done by fire or the use of a meatgrinder, it's still a body being destroyed by another human. To me, that's quite a difference, whether or not we consider cremation to be disrespectful or an alternative of no theological consequence.

One thing I would ask though of those who oppose cremation; do you feel that the decision to be cremated would be considered sinful or if one choses to be cremated that they have affected their salvation?

No. And the number of Christians who do think that way are very few, I'll bet.

 

[Colabomb]

Then Perhaps I don't understand. If it is not viewed as sinful, than why make a big deal about it?

If it is not sinful, nor an affront to God, why does it matter? It would be like deciding between chocolate and vanilla.

 

[Albion]

Then Perhaps I don't understand. If it is not viewed as sinful, than why make a big deal about it?

If it is not sinful, nor an affront to God, why does it matter? It would be like deciding between chocolate and vanilla.

As has been said, it's a matter of respect. Would dismembering the corpse and wrapping each part in butcher paper be equally respectful? What if we pounded it with sledge hammers until it was of the right size to be stuffed into a space-saving coffin? Most of us simply think that it's not a chocolate vs. vanilla issue how the body that God made is handled after death. That isn't to say that if some people have another slant on the subject that it's a sin or anything like that. But I can see the principle about respectfulness in this, just as you probably don't throw your pet into the garbage when it dies...and here we're talking about a person, not a cat or dog, in this thread.

 

[Colabomb]

As has been said, it's a matter of respect. Would dismembering the corpse and wrapping each part in butcher paper be equally respectful? What if we pounded it with sledge hammers until it was of the right size to be stuffed into a space-saving coffin? Most of us simply think that it's not a chocolate vs. vanilla issue how the body that God made is handled after death. That isn't to say that if some people have another slant on the subject that it's a sin or anything like that. But I can see the principle about respectfulness in this, just as you probably don't throw your pet into the garbage when it dies...and here we're talking about a person, not a cat or dog, in this thread.

Cremation is a Historic practice that is accepted by a great number of peoples across the world. In some ancient cultures, burning on a pyre was an honor given to heroes.

Cremated people aren't just taken from their deathbed and thrown on the fire. They have full funerals and showings just as those who are buried. Usually the remains are kept in elaborate urns involving pictures etc. Cremation is not always about Space saving.

I don't find it disrespectful.

 

[karen freeinchristman]

That's interesting. Perhaps because I have been present for several exhumations I find cremation much more respectful. Years in the health care field including Emergency Medical Services and witnessing at least 20 exhumations has left me with impressions that I will never be able to forget.

As a side note I am not sure about every state but in Ohio you are not cremated with a casket unless you choose to be.

Very interesting to hear your views after your experiences of exhumations. I have often thought burial to be a slightly repulsive thought, what with the decay and the worms, etc., even if it is natural.

The dead body is placed in the ground in the one case, and nature does the rest. In the other case, a funeral home destroys the body. Whether the compacting is done by fire or the use of a meatgrinder, it's still a body being destroyed by another human.

I dunno, the buried body in a casket having soil thrown upon it seems to be a kind of suffocating act (although the body doesn't need to breathe at that stage anyway). Humans place the body into the casket and into the ground and heap the soil on top, thereby giving the body over to destruction through rot and being eaten by earthly critters.

I've been to see the inner workings of a crematorium, and I was expecting it to be horrible but it was not. The man who ran the ovens was the most lovely man who felt his job was a vocation from God and he treated the whole job and the deceased people with much reverance. Yes, the coffins did get burnt up with the body, but what does that mean? The coffin has been made with the stuff of the earth, and so we become ashes and dust intermingled with other stuff of the earth - same thing when our decayed body intermingles with the earth in a burial.

I have to add that I used to think that it was a bit distasteful that in cremation you would not be able to avoid having some of the ashes from the person before you mixed in with your ashes, and your ashes would also unavoidably be present in one or more of the people who are cremated after you (they don't get every last bit out in between times). Now that I've been to the crematorium and thought more about that fact, I've come to see it as a kind of beautiful thing - although I find it hard to put the reasons into words.

 

[marezee]

You all have very good points, and I suppose there will never be a black and white answer to the question of cremation. as an aside, Christ was not "buried" in the ground...he was entombed, correct? I don't know what berring that would have on cremation, or burial for that matter. Many people died and were buried BC.

There are so many variables, I guess, that it would be difficult to discuss them all. However, was Christ entombed, not buried, for a reason? He wasn't cremated because then there wouldn't be proof that He was resurrected. The whole idea of cremation is confusing to me.

What are your thoughts about an unsaved cremated man being buried in the casket of a saved woman? (And I know the "souls" are not there).

 

[marezee]

Then Perhaps I don't understand. If it is not viewed as sinful, than why make a big deal about it?

If it is not sinful, nor an affront to God, why does it matter? It would be like deciding between chocolate and vanilla.

yes!

 

[marezee]

From my friend who is an Anglican Priest working on his Doctorate. I don't think he would mind my sharing this info.


John, I don't know of any strictly Anglican text or work on the
subject. I do know, however, as I'm sure you do, that the practice is
widely approved in Anglican circles today. You may already have these
references but here are two online mentions of the subject. One is just
from Kendall Harmon's blog, but I really like his response - better
than most I've ever heard. The second link seems to be a more thorough
listing of resources available on the history of the practice.

titusonenine.classicalanglican.net/?page_id=11714

Well, the second is a huge, unwieldy link. Try google book search on
Anglican thought on cremation to get to this site.

Thanks jtbdad

 

[Albion]

Cremation is a Historic practice that is accepted by a great number of peoples across the world. In some ancient cultures, burning on a pyre was an honor given to heroes.

You are referring to pagan peoples, hence my point about Christian history which was also made by another poster. Because pagans in Europe and elsewhere where early Christians encountered them burned their dead, the Christians took the POV that some more dignity was called for in the case of those who in life had known the Lord and were not pagans. That's just history. They also were remembering that this is what Jesus taught and that we believe that the body will be resurrected as his was.

Cremated people aren't just taken from their deathbed and thrown on the fire. They have full funerals and showings just as those who are buried. Usually the remains are kept in elaborate urns involving pictures etc. Cremation is not always about Space saving.

I don't find it disrespectful.

That's fine with me. I thought I made that clear before. But for those who asked why we have traditionally buried our dead instead of disposing of the bodies in another way, there's a reason. I think that you do understand the reason, even if you also feel that cremation is an appropriate way to go. After all, you specified a number of factors (so did Karen) which lend respect to the act of cremation, so it's not hard to understand the respect issue.

 

[marezee]

You all have very good points, and I suppose there will never be a black and white answer to the question of cremation. as an aside, Christ was not "buried" in the ground...he was entombed, correct? I don't know what berring that would have on cremation, or burial for that matter. Many people died and were buried BC.

There are so many variables, I guess, that it would be difficult to discuss them all. However, was Christ entombed, not buried, for a reason? He wasn't cremated because then there wouldn't be proof that He was resurrected. The whole idea of cremation is confusing to me.

What are your thoughts about an unsaved cremated man being buried in the casket of a saved woman? (And I know the "souls" are not there).

well...

 

[karen freeinchristman]

well...

I would say 'fine'. God can sort them out!

 

[marezee]

I would say 'fine'. God can sort them out!

funny