Whether motivated by economics, a concern for land use, or the loss of community ties, those who chose cremation over burial made up 25.5 percent of all deceased in 2000. I do have an opinion. We may use your data and other public information for analysis, so that we can use our resources effectively and contact you appropriately, unless you ask us not to. There is really no right or wrong answer to this question as we have studied. Does the practice of cremating bodies have any connection with planting seed in the soil? It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps … As we finish examining what the Bible says about cremation let's consider the following: 1. Our bodies are like corruptible seeds in the image of earthly Adam sown into the ground, but in the resurrection, we will have incorruptible, spiritual bodies in the image of the Man from heaven (1 Cor 15:42-49). Allow me to clarify some of my statements. Most of the reasons are for the sake of convenience, hygiene and cost. Although, burial was certainly the favoured method and is referenced on many occasions in the bible. Have Questions About The Bible, God Has The Answers! This argument, though, is refuted by others on the basis of the fact that the body still decomposes over time after burial. We believe in a, that brought bones back to life (Ezekiel 37), how can we not expect. Want to get articles like this emailed to you? Tender loving care and respect were commanded in preparing the dead body for burial. The Lord Himself provided for the burial of Moses (Deuteronomy 34:5-6). Non-traditional burials. Burial vs. Cremation. When cremation was practiced in the Bible, it showed contempt of person as mentioned in Joshua 7:25. First, I am not saying that by using cremation that we are not Christians. If a Christian is cremated rather than buried, will it affect their eternal state in any way? The cremation process is carried out in a furnace heated to 1500 F for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Neither is commanded in the Bible, but neither is prohibited. The Bible makes no mention of cremation specifically. Moses died on Mount Nebo after viewing the Promised Land, and God himself buried him on the mountain (Deut 34:5-6). 1 Corinthians 13:3. This burial in a rich man’s grave was even foretold by Isaiah, “And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death” (Isa 53:9), pointing to the importance of his burial. The Bible itself doesn't give clear guidance about cremation or burial. Judah was merely pronouncing the just punishment prescribed by the Law of Moses against sexual immorality (Lev 20:14; 21:19). The only conclusion I could come up with is that God’s love for us is real and it is everlasting. No rules about burial or cremation. The aforementioned factors contribute to the choices that each individual and family will make with respect to this question. While I was trying my best not to make people feel guilty who have chosen to cremate loved ones, I think in … The Dead » Preparation of, for burial » Cremation. Fire also symbolized, and was actually used in God’s judgment on wicked people. The Bible teaches that God never changes. Welcome to Bible Book Club, helping you read the Bible with your friends – one book at a time. Both methods were used by the Romans. 6:3-5; 1 Cor. At the same time, I do believe that pastors should discourage expensive funerals. The sudden death of a loved one will leave you and the other member of your family to decide whether to have your loved one’s body cremated or buried underground. 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). The Bible itself doesn't give clear guidance about cremation or burial. I’ve been asked several times over the years about my thoughts on burial vs. cremation. I share some reasons why in this video and the article that follows. Love book clubs? Our bodies are like corruptible seeds in the image of earthly Adam sown into the ground, but in the resurrection, we will have incorruptible, spiritual bodies in the image of the Man from heaven (1 Cor 15:42-49). For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. By Betty Miller. Whether you choose burial or cremation, the choice is up to the family. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 1 Samuel 31:12. The Bible makes no mention of cremation specifically. The costs for a cremation vs burial can differ throughout the UK. There’s also the cost of digging a grave and purchasing funeral plots as well. But what about the heroes of the faith who were sawn into pieces, burned at the stake, drowned at sea, eaten by lions, or blown into pieces or incinerated in fiery explosions? Is cremation a sin… is cremation in the Bible? Here’s a video explaining about burial and cremation as per the Bible. It is burial that Paul has in view in using the analogy of sowing seed in the ground. God-centered, gospel-rooted, Christ-exalting simplicity should be the norm. Many Christians are neutral when it comes to this issue; it really doesn’t matter, people say, since all people will be given new bodies in the resurrection of the dead. Since both of these verses speak of God creating man, we find that man was both created and … 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? It was the usual practice by the ancient Greeks, but the Hebrews used burial. Genesis 3:19 - In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return. While the Bible nowhere explicitly condemns cremation, most of the Biblical examples of burning people alive or dead involved dishonor or God’s punishment. Cremation and burial in the Bible. It’s true there is no explicit command against cremation in the Bible, but there are still some texts that may apply in a less direct way. But our attitudes should not be shaped alone by economics, popularity, feelings, or convenience, but rather by what Scriptures say about this practice. 8 Bible Verses about Cremation. We have to prepare for our passing by walking with God everyday of our lives because, it might be our last. God knows how to raise the body either in the resurrection of life or condemnation. The cost could be reduced even further, though, if more churches would reinstitute the practice of using a portion of their land to be used for a church cemetery. As for biblical support for the anti-cremation position, it’s often pointed out that Abraham purchased a burial site for himself and his wife Sarah (Genesis 23:9). Burial vs. Cremation By Betty Miller Should a Christian choose cremation as a burial plan? Both run around $1,000 each. Every body, whether it is dried up into dust, or is dissolved into moisture, or is compressed into ashes, or is attenuated into smoke, is withdrawn from us, but it is reserved for God in the custody of the elements.'. Abraham made a great effort to find the right grave for his wife Sarah’s burial place (Gen 23:3). Saul and Jonathan were cremated by the Israelites after their deaths, but this was not normal practice in … It accords with Bible Society’s values, but is not intended to express our position as an organisation. A brief look through Scripture will show that, at the very least, burial was the normal thing to do among God’s people. Scriptures have no direct or explicit command prohibiting burning or cremating the dead. In Genesis 1:27, we are told that God created man. Non-traditional burials. I was thinking, I’m not even forty, why would I have to worry about that now. In Genesis 2:7, the Bible says God formed man (Hebrew asah). Cremation Bible verses: King James Version (KJV) Below are a few scriptures pertaining to the burning of a body after death: 1 Corinthians 13:3 – And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. It’s true that burial was the common practice in the Bible, and cremation was rare. Cremation vs Burial Statistics. NEWSLETTER & BLOG SUBSCRIPTION. Cremation vs Burial. The comparison about the cost between burial and cremation. Your email address will not be published. 1. This article was written Mark Woods, who is Bible Society's Editor.​. Financially we might not be able to afford a burial and end up going with cremation but, that should not be a situation that drifts us away from God. The Gospel is the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s true that burial was the common practice in the Bible, and cremation was rare. What’s more, ground burial has been the established custom among Jews and Christians since time immemorial. But what amounted to cremation did not always carry such a meaning. On average, you’d expect a cremation to cost approximately £3,986. Cremation and burial in the Bible. Our helpful guides will give handy background information including tips, discussion questions and some hints for handling those tricky sections. Did we spread the Gospel like His Word asks us to do? Is cremation a sin… is cremation in the Bible? Here I am thinking I am to young to worry about dying, when in our congregation, one of our Brothers in Christ passed away and he wasn’t even forty himself. The Bible does not make reference directly to cremation. Cremation vs Burial. Without declaring Christ’s burial, the Gospel would be incomplete. Should a Christian choose cremation as a burial plan? Is God and Jesus the same or are they differente? Many believers have struggled with the decision to bury a body vs. cremation and burial of remains. 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). The verb to create is the Hebrew bara. Ancient Jews rejected cremation most likely because of its close resemblance to the forbidden practice of human sacrifice. knows our hearts and he knows what we think. Although cremation accounts can be found in the Bible, the practice was not common or accepted at all among ancient Hebrews. The main reason alot of people choose cremation is the cost, let us be honest, how many of us are prepared for death. Because of that, many Christians prefer burial to cremation to maintain a likeness to Christ's burial (although literally He was laid in state in a cave, not buried in the ground). Did we Honor and Glorify His name while we where alive? (1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:54; Philippians 3:21) How happy we are as we look forward to tha… First of all, burial, not cremation is exclusively mentioned and recommended in the Scriptures. This burial in a rich man’s grave was even foretold by Isaiah, Paul uses an agricultural illustration in explaining death and resurrection. This was a partial burning, since their bones were left intact for burial. Most Relevant Verses. Before he died in Egypt, Joseph instructed his people to carry his bones out of Egypt to be buried in the Promised Land, believing in God’s promise that Israel would someday return to their homeland (Gen 50:24-26; Jos 24:32). are not the norm. There is really no right or wrong answer to this question as we have studied God’s Word. Rarely anybody worries about that until it’s to late or we might not even get anytime to prepare. Cremation is only touched upon briefly in the old and new testament, usually in a negative light - however, the bible doesn't directly forbid cremation [4]. It is burial that Paul has in view in using the analogy of sowing seed in the, be happy if I go with cremation and not burial. Blessed Be The Name Of Our Lord Jesus Christ Forever, Amen, Amen Amen. In almost all cases where the disposal of a body is recorded in scripture, burial is the method described. God will resurrect all of His children regardless of what has become of their bodies. When Jesus comes, "The dead in Christ" will be raised and given immortal bodies, "fashioned like unto his glorious body." 7:25; 2 Chron. By 2025, according to research from the Cremation Association of North America, more than half (56 percent) of America's dead will be cremated. Bible verses related to Cremation from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance - Sort By Book Order . God does not give us rules in the Bible about burial or cremation. As for biblical support for the anti-cremation position, it’s often pointed out that Abraham purchased a burial site for himself and his wife Sarah (Genesis 23:9). God knows our hearts and he knows what we think. Very few. What Does God Say About An Organ Transplant? Cremation is not wrong, but burial is a better picture of the Christian hope of resurrection. But neither is right nor wrong. You can find others under the “Cremation Bible verses: King James Version (KJV)” section. When people pre-plan their funerals and think about what will happen to their body after they pass, they often have many questions about the differences in cremation and burial. Posted by Tony - Antonakis Maritis September 7, 2020 Leave a comment on What are the Christian beliefs regarding burial vs. cremation? There is no Bible command regarding either burial or cremation of the dead. And there have of course been many tragic examples of martyrs being burned to death for their faith, and no one would imagine that the fact that their body is consumed by the flames has affected their eternal destiny. I had people from a funeral home come to our church and give us information about funeral cost and I honestly never really thought about how expensive it might be. I said that cremation is not a Christian concept and Christians should not resort to this method of burial. 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. 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