Views on cremation?

[RyaninZion]

There was an incident in Israel this week where religious Jews allegedly burned down Israel's first and only crematorium. While he likely had nothing to do with the fire, the religious director of a major rescue and recovery service here praised those who set the fire.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3440873,00.html

Cremation is a violation of Jewish law because of the future promised resurrection, and because the Jews attribute great importance to respecting the bodies of their dead.

I have never really looked into the issue from a biblical point of view, so was curious what are the traditional Christian views of cremation?

[rtwo]

I think, biblically, we are told we'll have new bodies. If the body is important to the resurrection, one must question things like decay -- or what happens when a person is blown up? Honestly, I think this is a superstitious view, more than a religious one, and don't see any validity to it from a Biblical perspective.

[Scarletprayers]

I think, biblically, we are told we'll have new bodies. If the body is important to the resurrection, one must question things like decay -- or what happens when a person is blown up? Honestly, I think this is a superstitious view, more than a religious one, and don't see any validity to it from a Biblical perspective.

I agree rtwo!

[RyaninZion]

Yeah - my initial reaction was to think of Gen. 3:19, upon which the burial rite "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" is based. If we are formed from the dust and will return to the dust as a natural process, I fail to see the "sin" in speeding up the process through cremation.

But, again, I have never really studied the issue, so wanted to get the views of those who may be more knowledgeable than myself on this topic.

[nebula]

Right now, I am reading a book called Stiff. I hope I don't gross anyone out, but it's all about what becomes of bodies donated to science. (I teach Anatomy & Physiology labs; I'm doing it for research.) Anyway, without going into any details so as not to make any of you lose your last meal, the author in has gone into detail about what happens to the body after death. The bottom line is that nothing is left. Even embalming the body is only a temporary preservation.

Given to bacteria and maggots and left as goo, or given to flames and left as ashes - it's all the same to me.

However, many religious people are against cremation because burning the body was done historically by pagans with pagan rituals for pagan reasons. I'll let the ones who hold this perspective go into the details for you.

(Besides, I think I told you more than you wanted to know, anyway. )

[Resting in Christ]

There was an incident in Israel this week where religious Jews allegedly burned down Israel's first and only crematorium. While he likely had nothing to do with the fire, the religious director of a major rescue and recovery service here praised those who set the fire.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3440873,00.html

Cremation is a violation of Jewish law because of the future promised resurrection, and because the Jews attribute great importance to respecting the bodies of their dead.

I have never really looked into the issue from a biblical point of view, so was curious what are the traditional Christian views of cremation?

Old Testament scriptures seem to require burial. Even our Lord Jesus was buried in a tomb in accordance with the custom of the times. Imitation of Christ's burial (and identification with His Resurrection) is a wonderful reminder of His victory over death, but it is not a requirement for receiving His Grace.

[wordsower]

I'd rather my family save 10,000 and cremate me than waste all that money and me rot in a hole in the ground. I think burial is worse than creamation. 30 years from now the result will be the same.

[traveller]

I agree wordsower! Cremation seems cleaner to me, and requires less space. Eventually, we're gonna run out of space or it's going to get too high too purchase a plot. Unfortunately, the funeral homes are already experiencing the rising requests for cremation, and are increasing the costs. Soon, there will be no cost difference.

[EricH]

I am planning on being cremated (after I die of course). I agree with the Klingons on this one:

It is an empty shell, treat it as such

[traveller]

I am planning on being cremated (after I die of course).

Good plan!