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Helping Others Towards Heaven

Bury Or Cremate?

9/25/2017

1 Comment

 
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​“Is it alright to have my body cremated when I die?”

​When I first started preaching I didn’t get this question much, but as the years have gone by it comes up more and more. Here is what I gleaned from the Bible about it.
 
Burial was the customary and honorable practice of both Hebrews and Christians throughout the Old and the New Testament. The first explicit reference is in conjunction with the death of Sarah (Genesis 23:3-4).

​There are several examples in the Old Testament of cremation being used as a means of judgment. In Genesis, Judah called for Tamar to be burned because of her harlotry (Genesis 38:24). The Law of Moses called for those who committed certain capital crimes in Israel to be executed by burning (Leviticus 20:14; 21:9). Achan was stoned, then burned with fire because of his sin against God (Joshua 7:25). Daniel’s friends were cast into a burning fiery furnace because they would not worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up (Daniel 3:1-30).
 
Cremation was also used in sacrificial offerings. Idolaters burned their children in fire as a sacrifice to their gods (Deuteronomy 12:31). The king of Moab offered his eldest son as a burnt offering (2 Kings 3:27). This may refer to the son of the king of Edom, as Amos tells us that Moab was condemned by God because he burned the bones of the king of Edom (Amos 2:1). Also, Josiah burned the bones of men upon the altars of the high places to defile them (2 Kings 23:15-20).
 
One other case of cremation is mentioned in the Old Testament. Valiant men rescued and burned the remains of Saul and his sons, apparently to prevent further dishonorable treatment of their bodies, and then buried their bones (1 Samuel 31:8-13).
 
None of these instances are comparable to cremation as we are discussing its acceptability today for oneself or family.
 
God has not legislated about what to do with dead bodies. There is no law in the Bible requiring God’s people to bury their dead. Neither, is there any word of condemnation against cremation.
 
Some are concerned about preserving the body but burying a dead body will not keep it from returning to the dust of the earth (Genesis 3:19; Job 34:15; Ecclesiastes 3:20; 12:7). Cremation just speeds up the process.
 
Others are concerned that a cremated body could not be raised, but all the dead will be raised, whether buried or cremated (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16).
 
More important than how the dead body is disposed, is the memorial service associated with the person who once inhabited it. It provides not only an opportunity to honor their memory and celebrate their life, but also to speak to others about eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Use this link for more information about what happens when we die.
1 Comment
June Heuston
2/11/2018 08:58:58 am

Dear Brother Dobson
Thank you for writing on this topic as I have been torn as to how to plan for my departure. I wanted a very simple inexpensive funeral but as the world views how we get our final send off I did not wish to embarrass my loved ones. I am greatly opposed to expensive caskets to be buried and rot in the ground.
Although you have not condemned or okayed cremation by use of God's word you have left it up to the individual.I have discovered that even in cremation in the province of Ontario we are required by law to have a casket for cremation. Caskets are available for rent for the memorial service.This still leaves me in indecision.

I agree that the service to remember the departed is important not only for the family but for those whose lives they touched.I am trying to make plans as to not burden my loved ones .

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    Robert Dodson is the Preaching Minister for the Northwest Church of Christ.

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