Whatever the reason we will dive into what the Bible says about burial or cremation when someone passes on. What does the Bible say about Cremation? His sons Isaac and Ishmael made sure to bury their father where their mother was buried (Gen 25:9). The Jews in Jesus’ day continued with the same tradition and so did the New Testament Christians. The comparison about the cost between burial and cremation. We gratefully receive donations to fund the sharing of the gospel through this site. When cremation was practiced in the Bible, it showed contempt of … As Christians, we need to approach this delicate subject with a different mindset as the cheapest and easiest option is not always the right one. Although, the scripture does not forbid cremation; neither does it condone it. Some romanticize saving the ashes of their loved one to be distributed in some emotional setting getting their cues from some movie they have seen. To read more about what does the bible say about cremation Billy Graham’s answer click here. What the Bible Says about Life after Death, Listen to 365 Important Audio Bible Readings, Download/Read Foreign Bibles by YouVersion, Inspirational Bible Study Books in Paperback and Kindle Editions, Complimentary Overcoming Life Series Bible Study Downloads, The Influence of the Bible in American Culture, What the Bible Says About Life After Death, What the Bible Says about Cremation – Burial vs. Cremation, Deception of End Times: Warning of Deceit by Men, What the Bible Says about the Power of Words. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. The Bible never explicitly condemns cremation as a sin, nor does it command us to bury in a certain way. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some have become environmentalists and are concerned about the lack of burial plots as space has become less available in cemeteries in certain locations. Lately, more Christians are becoming open to the idea of cremation and are embracing this means of disposing of the bodies of their loved ones for a number of reasons. You can see why many believers are uncomfortable with cremation. However, there are several scriptures throughout the Bible that speak of burning the body, such as the two below. The main reason alot of people choose cremation is the cost, let us be honest, how many of us are prepared for death. It may not give you the confirmation you need, but here is your answer about what the Bible tells us about cremation – as best as I can tell, there is no Bible passage that attempts to give guidelines regarding acceptable burial procedures. Logically, the connection with dust and cremation is ashes, and in reality we are all dust at some point. Jesus promised us eternal life if we believe in Him and it doesn’t include (unless you choose cremation over burial). Abraham made a great effort to find the right grave for his wife Sarah’s burial place (Gen 23:3). However, their spirits will go to either heaven or hell awaiting a day when they receive their resurrected bodies. God made that promise to Noah that He would not destroy the world using water but, by using fire instead. Burial was the acceptable method for disposing of corpses among the Israelites. We have to prepare for our passing by walking with God everyday of our lives because, it might be our last. Burial vs. Cremation. The bodies of Saul and his three sons were desecrated by the Philistines before the people of Jabesh-gilead took them away and burned them. For sure, God could put their bodies back together perfectly with one word. Since both of these verses speak of God creating man, we find that man was both created and … Some feel there are fewer decisions that need to be made, so cremation is easier. It should communicate the hope of the church which is the future bodily resurrection. If you’re not sure whether to choose cremation or burial, you might be wondering what the Christian Bible has to say about it. Of course not! The only conclusion I could come up with is that God’s love for us is real and it is everlasting. Big eye opener for me, made me rethink about not leaving any burden to my family when the good Lord takes me. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee.”  2 Samuel 19:37, “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.”  Acts 2:29. The Bible does not have any commands or laws against cremation. Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days. 2. , that when we think something is impossible, He makes everything possible. How sad it was to see no dignity given the dead. How should a person plan for a Christian funeral? They always talk of a person’s name when mentioning burial. No rules about burial or cremation. However, there are Christian practices and heathen practices and in our day because of a lack of knowledge, some in the church have adopted heathen practices in numerous areas, besides just the practice of cremation. That is what will be important to him, what type of heart we had because, that’s where the springs of life flow (Proverbs 4:23). What does the Bible say about cremation? Lastly, fire also symbolizes God’s eternal punishment on the unrighteous and ungodly (Matt 3:10-12; 18:8; 25:41; |2 Pet 3:7; Jude 1:7; Rev 8:7; 21:8). The choice between cremation and burial is a deeply personal one. Cremation, while not ideal, is an option for those who cannot otherwise provide a proper burial. What Does God Say About An Organ Transplant? Does the practice of cremating bodies have any connection with planting seed in the soil? Christian burial is not an explicitly biblical term. The Bible does, after all, mention a bodily resurrection: even though our new bodies are "spiritual" according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 15, they are bodies nonetheless. Martin Luther Biography, 95 Theses Explained. “But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.”  John 20:11:12: Christianity and Judaism discourage cremation and Islam prohibits it. God himself sent consuming fire from heaven against evildoers: Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24; Jude 1:7), Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10:1-2), and Israel’s 250 rebellious chiefs (Num 16:35). There is really no right or wrong answer to this question as we have studied God’s Word. (see Genesis 49:29-31 for instance) The Bible says that embalming was practiced in both the Old and New Testament times. Most of the reasons are for the sake of convenience, hygiene and cost. God will not judge us or condemn us for choosing cremation over burial. However, the Bible also demonstrates a clear pattern: Burning a body (or a dead corpse) was a way to humiliate or punish a person. Christ Unlimited Ministries sponsors BibleResources.org as a tax exempt non-profit ministry. Fire also symbolized, and was actually used in God’s judgment on wicked people. Let us remember that we serve a God, that when we think something is impossible, He makes everything possible. Psalm 103:15-17 is a Bible passage that gives us a great perspective on cremation -- or on any other burial practice: As for man, his days are like grass, He flourishes like a flower of the field; When Judah learns that his daughter-in-law Tamar was pregnant because of sexual immorality, Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned” (Gen 38:24). How does cremation work?During a cremation, the body is delivered to a crematorium either in a coffin or a cremation capsule (a cardboard container designed specifically for cremation). 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. Lastly, Jesus himself, as the believer’s example, was buried and raised bodily from the dead. When we consider how God created mankind, it supports this fact. Judah was merely pronouncing the just punishment prescribed by the Law of Moses against sexual immorality (Lev 20:14; 21:19). Tender loving care and respect were commanded in preparing the dead body for burial. Although burning the remains of the dead is mentioned a few times in the Bible, the modern practice of cremation is not specifically addressed. These verses show, the bible does not explicitly promote burial or cremation. Required fields are marked *. 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). A Christian burial also promotes the issue of having a timely burial as a body must go in the ground, usually within days, instead of Cremation Memorial Services later, when people are already over their grief, or sometime the memorial services are done away with altogether. We have to prepare for our passing by walking with, promised us eternal life if we believe in, and it doesn’t include (unless you choose cremation over burial). knows our hearts and he knows what we think. “All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.”  Ecclesiastes 3:20, “And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”  Daniel 12:2. This will allow others to celebrate our life in Christ through a Christian service and burial instead of accepting the ways of heathen religions that do not understand that, as Christians, we get a new body at the resurrection, as our old one is put to rest in the ground. This is demonstrated in the Old Testament, as well as the New Testament. My thoughts on this are just like any other God Fearing Christian, will God be happy if I go with cremation and not burial. Listen to a single verse or a selection of inspirational verses. Sometimes, cremation is done because it is the “last wish” of the person who died. The Bible does not make reference directly to cremation. The Bible does not take a stance on cremation, nor does cremation in any way hamper God’s plan to one day resurrect all of humanity. This was a partial burning, since their bones were left intact for burial. If burial is a way of worshipping or idolizing a loved one, it too can be sin. The verb to create is the Hebrew bara. It is burial that Paul has in view in using the analogy of sowing seed in the ground. Your email address will not be published. Nevertheless, many Christians believe that their bodies would be ineligible for resurrection if they are cremated. By Betty Miller. Many of the heathen nations around the Israelites traditionally cremated their dead. Although cremation accounts can be found in the Bible, the practice was not common or accepted at all among ancient Hebrews. Should a Christian choose cremation as a burial plan? The Gospel is the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Will Christians Go Through The Tribulation? Bible verses related to Cremation from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance - Sort By Book Order . Just as Jesus was resurrected and now has an eternal physical body, the saints of all ages are promised this same existence at the second coming of the Lord. 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