Among Christians, the subject of cremation versus burial has been discussed a number of times in the past, and various pamphlets and articles are available. An article appeared in the December 1990 issue of Christian Treasury on this topic, in response to a request from a reader. Since that time cremation has become increasingly popular in North America and also in Western Europe. A recent article in Time magazine (June 24, 2013) pointed out that the percentage of those choosing cremation over burial had increased in every state of the U.S.A., with the national average being over 40%. In other countries such as Canada, Australia, and some western European countries, the rate is close to 70%, while in Japan over 95% of the dead are cremated.
There are several factors postulated for this rise, perhaps the major one being cost. A cremation funeral is approximately one-third of the cost of a burial funeral. However, there are other factors that enter into the decision, reflecting the change in the way the world lives and views death. At least in North America, people are more mobile and increasingly do not end up living in one area for a lifetime. Most important, western cultures are giving up the Word of God, and biblical considerations often do not enter into the decision. As the article in Time magazine observes,
“The U.S.’s history as a predominantly Christian nation has arguably been the one true barrier holding cremation back.”
Cremation goes all the way back to ancient Greece and Rome, and it has been practiced by false religions, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, for many centuries. It was also popular among the ancient Druids in Britain. However, the practice gradually died out in areas where Christianity took hold, and it was only reintroduced in both Europe and North America in the latter part of the nineteenth century. People were relatively slow to embrace it, and even in the 1960s, cremations in the U.S.A. were less than 5%. However, there has been a rapid rise in its popularity in the last 15-20 years. What, then, should be the attitude of believers toward this ever-increasing tendency, not only in North America, but also in other parts of the world? As always, I would suggest that we get light from God’s Word.
As with many other questions that arise in our Christian lives, we do not find any definite scripture that clearly forbids cremation of a dead body. However, I would suggest that Scripture does give us light as to God’s thoughts on the matter.
Desecration of the Body
First of all, we find several references to burning a body in the Word of God, and all are connected with judgment for serious wrongdoing. Achan and his family were burned with fire, after being stoned (Josh. 7:1515And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel. (Joshua 7:15)). Judah wanted his daughter-in-law to be brought out and burnt, when he suspected her of immorality (Gen. 38:2424And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt. (Genesis 38:24)). The graven images of heathen gods were to be destroyed by burning (Deut. 7:2525The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God. (Deuteronomy 7:25)), and Moses destroyed the golden calf by burning (Ex. 32). Moab was to come under severe punishment from the Lord, because “he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime” (Amos 2:11Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Moab, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he burned the bones of the king of Edom into lime: (Amos 2:1)). (This was obviously done as an act of desecration against the body.) Finally, in the judgment at the great white throne, the wicked will be bodily “cast into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:1414And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Revelation 20:14)).
Preservation of the Body
On the other hand, whenever a saint of God died, whether in the Old or New Testament times, the body was always buried. Abraham, who possessed no other land in this world, bought a burial place for his family. Joseph gave careful instructions that his body was not to be buried in Egypt, and although it was nearly 150 years until the exodus, we read that the children of Israel carefully took Joseph’s bones with them (Ex. 13:1919And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. (Exodus 13:19)). God Himself buried Moses, when He might have disposed of the body in some other way (Deut. 34:5-85So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. 6And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. 7And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. 8And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. (Deuteronomy 34:5‑8)). When the Lord allowed a famine in the land of Israel in David’s time, God was not “intreated for the land” until the bones of Saul and his sons had been given a proper burial (2 Sam. 21:14). After John the Baptist was beheaded, his disciples took up his body and buried it. Finally, the body of the Lord Jesus was accorded a loving and reverent burial, in the tomb of a rich man. Throughout the Word of God, cremation is connected with sin, while burial is connected with the people of God.
We know, of course, that many dear believers have suffered martyrdom by burning, and others have had their bodies cremated, through no wish of their own. Many have had their bodies desecrated in other ways, and every conceivable insult heaped upon them. Of all this we can only say that those who have been “faithful unto death” will receive a “crown of life” (Rev. 2:1010Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)). The Lord Jesus at His coming will raise those bodies “in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye,” for “the dead shall be raised incorruptible” (1 Cor. 15:52).
Heathen Origins
Second, cremation has heathen origins and is still practiced among false religions in the world. Both Hindus and Buddhists continue to cremate their dead, and even in Western countries the word is frequently connected with the occult. A blasphemous and Satanic Internet site is entitled “Cremation World.” Among many in Western countries, cremation is an attempt to deny the resurrection, and those who discount God’s power doubtless feel that if their ashes are scattered widely, their bodies can never be resurrected. In recent years, one wealthy woman in North America left a will directing that her ashes be taken up in a satellite and scattered in outer space! In view of all this, believers must consider the admonition to “abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thess. 5:22). Surely God foresaw this attitude towards the resurrection, for Scripture takes care to record in Revelation 20:1313And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (Revelation 20:13) that “the sea gave up the dead which were in it.” The many bodies that have perished at sea will surely be brought back together again by the God who is all powerful and who emphasizes by this scripture that He is able to reconstruct the human body, no matter where its substance has ended up.
The Sanctity of the Body
Third, there is a sanctity attached to the human body in the Word of God. Man is a tripartite being — body, soul and spirit — and each of these is to be honored in the sight of God. While he is alive, the believer’s body is “the temple of the Holy Ghost” (1 Cor. 6:19), and he is exhorted to “possess his vessel in sanctification and honor” (1 Thess. 4:4). After death, the body of the believer awaits, not replacement, but change. Our present body is “sown in [dishonor],” but will be “raised in power” (1 Cor. 15:43). Our bodies are not our own (1 Cor. 6:20), and they are to be used to glorify the Lord. We do not have the right to do as we will with them, even after death.
Another verse that speaks to us on the subject is Romans 8:2323And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:23): “We ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” God gave us the body we have, and He values it so highly that He, through His Son, has paid the price to redeem that body. That is why at the rapture it is “changed” and not replaced (that is, we do not receive a “new” one). We would do well if we, even in death, would respect it as that which God has redeemed.
We see this reverence for a dead body exemplified in the death of the Lord Jesus. After the soldier pierced His side, the work of redemption was complete. Then, in honor to that body, which the Lord Jesus will have for all eternity, God would not allow wicked hands even to touch the body of His beloved Son.
Some Exceptions
For these reasons, I suggest that cremation is not appropriate for Christians and that the practice should be avoided. However, in saying this, we do recognize that practical difficulties may arise. The question of cost is increasingly a factor, although the cost of a burial is probably no higher than it was fifty years ago, if inflation is taken into account. However, this cost can be a real hardship for some, and it is easy to see why cremation would be an attractive alternative. Perhaps this is an opportunity for other believers to help out, rather than seeing cremation embraced for economic reasons.
Likewise, in some countries today cremation is almost universal due to lack of space. In Hong Kong, for example, almost all bodies are cremated, and only the very wealthy can afford a burial. Even those who are willing to cremate must sometimes wait for months in order to secure a place in a columbarium in which to place the urn containing the ashes. When facing such situations, believers must look to the Lord for a solution, and surely we can count on Him to guide us. We cannot make a rigid rule about cremation versus burial, but we suggest that anyone considering cremation look carefully into the Word of God and make it an earnest matter of prayer.
W. J. Prost