There is a short, concise examination of cremation over at the Parchment and Pen blog. The author, Jeff Spry, concludes that burial, not cremation, is the Biblical norm. He demonstrates that cremation is viewed quite negatively in Scripture.
What are your thoughts on cremation? Is it acceptable for a Christian? Should it be viewed equally with burial?
Thinking to Believe 
September 9, 2008 at 7:44 am
I am a CPA and financial planner that helps families save money when they need to make funeral arrangements. I deal a lot with these issues.
From a practical standpoint a buried body will ultimately end up as a form of ashes. This occurs naturally as the body decomposes.
From a spiritual standpoint I see no difference either. Think about this: you die when your body “gives out” – for whatever reason.
Let’s say a person is in a car accident and dies from severe boldily injury. We naturally assume that God can, and will, restore this person in heaven. Why should it be any different for a cremated body?
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September 9, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Mike,
I agree that the end result is the same: ash. Where I am not so comfortable with cremation is that it seems to disrespect the human body, whereas burial respects it. I think that’s why in Scripture, burning a body tended to be reserved for the harshest of sinners. Why would God say their bodies should be burned, if burning the body was a good thing, or at least as good as burial?
Again, I don’t think it is immoral to be cremated, but it is not a practice originating from within the Jewish or Christian traditions. It is something outside it, and indeed, contrary to it.
Jason
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May 26, 2013 at 10:01 pm
The reason I think cremation is good is because it is far more respectful to the body than your typical burial. If your promoting just a quick burial, or the new flash freeze method, then I might agree that ,that type of burial is more respectful to the body. But you did not specify what type of burial, therefore I assume you are suggesting that the usual method used to prepare the body by the funeral home is ok and somehow respectful . I have to ask really? Are you aware of what they do to the body, for the life of me I have never understood how someone willingly turns their loved ones body over to these butchers. I am not suggesting they are evil per se but why would we allow them to perform these procedure’s on the ones we love? I believe if more people were aware of exactly what they do more people would opt for cremation or freezing or the quick burial. The odd tradition of wanting to make someone look like they are merely asleep, and preserving their body for the purpose of delaying the burial for a convenient funeral time is quite morbid, strange , etc.
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