Christianity and Cremation

Many Christian religions have seen cremation as desecration of the human body. Cremation was not considered proper for humans, as man is created in the image and likeness of God. For centuries, Christians have buried the dead, believing in the resurrection of the body on “Judgment Day.” For many years, burial was considered the only way to respectfully handle a deceased person's human body. In fact, Catholicism has only recently allowed cremation. Today, cremation is looked at differently.

Land use is a consideration for some people, along with the expenses of funerals have risen dramatically over the years. Some people have become disenchanted with the amounts of money spent to allay the reality of death by surrounding the living with sweet smelling floral arrangements that do not last, playing mellow music and using expensive coffins. There are Christian critics who decry the material funeral trappings as the avoidance of the finality of death and of our own mortality. Christians believe in the resurrection of the body and that God will raise everyone from the dead, whether buried, decomposed or cremated. Christians have faith in the promise of resurrection that God made. Others question the difference between the natural decay into dust and cremation. The truth is that one is simply faster than the other.

While there is no specific biblical law about cremation, many Christians use cremation to handle a loved one's remains. They continue to honor and respect the life of the deceased with a church ceremony that recognizes death, while looking forward to resurrection into eternal life. Some Christians celebrate the lives of the dead and honor them with remembrances. Some actually have wakes that are more joyous than sad, viewing it as the dead person's soul has moved on to a better place and will rise again with a spiritual body.