Burial vs Cremation

[Xenia]

I have always leaned towards cremation. I am not my body, when I am done with it what does it matter? When I am gone, take any organs that would help someone else and then cremate the rest. God can draw every particle of my physical body back together in an instant if he wants to. This has always been my feeling on the matter... until I ran across this verse:

Gen 15:15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

I know that in the Bible burials are traditional. Unlike most verses that refer to "burial" God is speaking here. I wonder if He says this because he knows it is their tradition or if He is saying this because this is what He prefers?

[lynnmosher]

Xenia, Something in me has always turned from cremation. I found this in the International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia...

Indeed, cremation has never been popular among Christians, owing largely, doubtless, to the natural influence of the example of the Jews, the indisputable fact that Christ was buried, the vivid hope of the resurrection and the more or less material views concerning it prevalent here and there at this time or that. While there is nothing anti-Christian in it, and much in sanitary considerations to call for it in an age of science, it is not likely that it will ever become the prevailing practice of Christendom.

If I chose cremation, this verse ..."And the dead in Christ will rise first" (1 Thess. 4:16b NKJV)...then makes me wonder...does a cremated body become renewed in order to rise...? I surely don't know. Ransom and others may have some thoughts on this. I think I'll just stick with burial.

[Xenia]

Hmmmm... You know, I never thought about it but actually Jesus and many throughout the bible were not actually buried. They were entombed (like in caves). Now I see even another view!
Thanks for the encyclopedia excerpt. It pretty much sums up what I've heard Christians say but I always just somewhat poo-poo'd it as being a type of superstition (no offense to anyone!). After all, people have been eaten by bears, burned at the stake and destroyed by bombs. I believe that God can restore them! Now, I am wondering if my view has been too flip though. God sounds so endearing in this verse... almost like He will "lay him down" with such care.

[Amica]

Burial really isn't an option in some parts of the world. In the Netherlands, for example, they simply don't have the space for cemeteries; it is culturally expected there that everyone gets cremated (and to my knowledge, nearly everyone does). It's such a small country that living space is *really* at a premium in that country; they don't have room for dying space as well.

I've never thought that a God who can create an entire universe out of absolutely nothing would ever have any problems reassembling the body of someone who was burned, or buried at sea, or anything like that. I mean, either he's almighty, or he isn't!

[Tamera]

I understand the reluctance for cremation, but here's a point to consider. When the dead in Christ will rise first, won't that include those who have died in fires who only have ashes remaining? Won't it also include those who have died in battle or in attacks from animals or other deaths where the body was never buried. Also, those who have been buried thousands of years ago, no longer have bodies, but have turned into dust.

Although Christian tradition favors burial, I can't see that it would make any difference when the dead in Christ shall rise and be given new bodies.

[lynnmosher]

You are all absolutely right. When I wrote my post, it was the end of the day. I was exhausted and my brain had basically shut down so I hadn't thought it all through. Also, I had typed in a portion then changed a part and must have inadvertently taken that part out and didn't realize it. What I meant to say is that I know God can restore a body that has been destroyed for whatever reason. I apologize for the confusion. I don't think I'll make any more posts on deep matters that late again!

[Tamera]

That's all right, Lynn. I don't make that much sense sometimes either. LOL.

[lynnmosher]

I think I'd have to disagree with you on that point! LOL! I also have other conditions working against me. It's very difficult sometimes to be coherent! Sheesh!

[Gina123]

xenia and others who have commented, I appreciate what you have written about this. My brother, just a week ago, told me he had made the decision that he wants to be cremated. He is only 61 and in good health but I guess he is thinking ahead. He said he does not want several thousand dollars spent on a 'box'. He said you can rent a casket for a memorial service and then give it back. He wants to have the service because he sees it as one more chance to witness to his faith. I didn't tell him but my sister had told me several years ago that she wanted to be cremated. Her reason was she cannot stand to think of being closed up in a box, even if she is not physically alive.

I had always sort of shunned the idea of cremation and associated it with the Hindu religion and others.

There is no commandment about this, as others have pointed out, just scripture precedent of Jewish people being buried---But (as pointed out) they often used caves.

I agree, God can pull together any atoms or particles he needs to raise us bodily in the future. Our future body may not be made of the same material that we currently consist of.

I've been pondering this very subject off and on so glad to read your thoughts on this.

[Cymrugirl]

Now that I have a daughter, I lean towards the idea of cremation in order to spare her the excruciating cost of burial. Ultimately, though, if she needs that for closure someday - or my husband - I would really like it to be their choice. The weird thing I don't like about cremation is carrying around the ashes in a jar.

I'd rather visit a gravestone. But it's not all about me is it? ;)

[jacks girl]

I know that God can re create bodies of those burned and eaten by animals or what ever the case. but those were not done on purpose they didn't sit down one day and say i think I'll burn the body God gave me. I'm not saying i have proof that its wrong just that it's not for me that is for sure.

Jacks

[Ransom v. Unman]

Y'know, somehow Jews in NYC find space and affordability for burial... It can't cost that much to just be buried in a plain, pine box, can it?

[Cymrugirl]

The NYC cemetary is one of my biggest memories from traveling there in the 80's. I've still never seen its equal.

[Ransom v. Unman]

Nor have I. :)

[TanyaSue]

The NYC cemetary is one of my biggest memories from traveling there in the 80's. I've still never seen its equal.

Um ... (Don't laugh, Ransom!) ... Where is it? I've lived here for almost 8 years and don't know that I've ever seen it. :o

[jacks girl]

I've seen some of them too and they are amazing...

Jacks

[Ransom v. Unman]

Um ... (Don't laugh, Ransom!) ... Where is it? I've lived here for almost 8 years and don't know that I've ever seen it. :o

Have you been on the BQE? It's kind of impossible to miss if you're driving from Brooklyn to Queens...

The cemeteries Cymru is probably referring to are Calvary, New Calvary and Mount Zion cemeteries. They're HUGE.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvary_Cemetery,_Queens

[Gina123]

I'd never thought about how large a cemetary in NYC must be! What a thought.

There is the example of Joseph, he was enbalmed so that his tribe could some day carry his body out of Egypt.

I agree that there is something in Jewish and Christian tradition that pays due respect to the body even in death.

[TanyaSue]

Have you been on the BQE? It's kind of impossible to miss if you're driving from Brooklyn to Queens...

The cemeteries Cymru is probably referring to are Calvary, New Calvary and Mount Zion cemeteries. They're HUGE.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvary_Cemetery,_Queens

Okay. Yeah, I've driven by them, but it's been a while. The only time I get to Queens is if I'm visiting the airports.

[Ransom v. Unman]

Okay. Yeah, I've driven by them, but it's been a while. The only time I get to Queens is if I'm visiting the airports.

Yeah, if you come off the Tri-Boro on your way to La Guardia, then you probably miss them. But they're epic... like little micro-cities of the dead.

Naturally, they were one of my favourite places to visit when I lived in Queens. :D

[Gina123]

are they still using them for new burials or are they "full"??

[Xenia]

I think the Lord is changing my mind about cremation... Here is a lengthy but very good article written on the subject:

http://www.epm.org/articles/cremation.html