Question:

I am seeking advice on the subject of cremation vs. burial. I have to set up my funeral arrangements and have to decide between cremation or traditional burial. So I was hoping to get some advice from you concerning this matter. Everywhere I have searched I end up with the same answer and still back at square one of not being sure what is right according to the Bible. Below are some of the things I came across and would like to get you opinion on. Hope you can help. Thanks.

Now it is important to know that if one has been cremated; if they were saved through the blood of Jesus Christ, the fact of cremation won’t keep him out of heaven. So spiritually what happens to the body after death is inconsequential. Whether the body returns to decay through slow disintegration or in a matter of minutes by fire, the result is the same. The most important question is whether or not the deceased had trusted Jesus Christ as his or her Savior, whether or not that one had been born again.

In closing scripture has no commands that neither supports nor condemns cremation. There is some evidence that seems to support burial; such as some would quote Genesis 3:19, which says, “for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return;” argumentatively speaking that we should allow the body to return to dust at its own rate. It is evident from reading scripture that burial, and not cremation, is in full harmony with the hope of the resurrection. Symbolism is important in scripture; historically cremation has been associated with the efforts of pagans in their denial of the resurrection of the body. We should not desire cremation. When we look carefully, we understand that it is more than just a custom or tradition, it is a Biblical symbolism of separation and division between heathen/pagan and Christian heritages.

Response:

I believe it is hard to argue, biblically, against the quote you already gave me, which is this:

Now it is important to know that if one has been cremated; if they were saved through the blood of Jesus Christ, the fact of cremation won’t keep him out of heaven. So spiritually what happens to the body after death is inconsequential. Whether the body returns to decay through slow disintegration or in a matter of minutes by fire, the result is the same. The most important question is whether or not the deceased had trusted Jesus Christ as his or her Savior, whether or not that one had been born again.

I do not completely discount the arguments about burial, but to me this seems a matter of sentimentality or of symbolism, but not of reality. So, here is my response, surely one’s place in heaven is not affected by what is done with one’s body. God will not later collect the atoms which composed your physical body and reconstitute it into your heavenly body. Surely no one believes this. However, for sentimental or cultural or even for symbolic reasons, an individual believer feels that burial is better, then that person should choose that option. In any case, this is a personal decision and the Bible does not provide us with a doctrine of how we should do burials.

You should go with what your heart decides, but understand that certainly your eternal place is not influenced by this decision.

John Oakes