Since both of these verses speak of God creating man, we find that man was both created and formed. The Bible neither favors nor forbids the process of cremation. Bible Meaning, Verses, and Modern Forms. Here is more on what the Bible says about cremation. The cost of these biodegradable urns is around $500. Answer: The Bible actually does not give any specific teaching about cremation. In this case, there is no indication from Scripture that you are sinning if you choose cremation. Nevertheless, many Christians believe that their bodies would be ineligible for resurrection if they are cremated. Roger Barrier, former senior teaching pastor from Casas Church in Tucson, Arizona, has no issue with cremation, and desires to be cremated himself. What does the Bible say about cremation? If he is your Lord and Savior, then your soul is fine. He can resurrect a body eaten by a shark or a baby torn limb from limb and aborted by its mother. “There remains a connection between the body and soul even in death, so this is something that is quite metaphysical, and it’s a very strongly held belief,” explains Mariam Ardati, a death doula in … And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days (1 Sam. What Does the Bible Say about Cremation? Interested in what the Bible says about death? In Genesis 1:27, we are told that God created man. In many ways, a tree’s life cycle mirrors the human experience. It is interesting to note that in 2 Kings 23:16-20, burning human bones on an altar desecrated the altar. Here is what happens to our bodies after death: “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return” (Genesis 3:19). By Brandon Showalter, CP Reporter Follow | Monday, October 22, 2018. The Bible never says that God will scour the whole universe, sifting through all the atoms and molecules of cremated humans to restore their body. Leviticus 20:14 indirectly mentions cremation, since they involve capital punishment that requires the offender to be “burned with fire.” However, there are over 200 references to burial in the Old Testament which indicates this was the custom of the culture at that time. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”. 8 Bible Verses about Cremation. However, the Bible does establish a pretty clear pattern … You might even consider cremation as the express version of what is going to happen naturally. In 1 John 3:2 it says “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been known. Cremation Bible verses: King James Version (KJV) Below are a few scriptures pertaining to the burning of a body after death: 1 Corinthians 13:3 – And though I bestow all my goods to feed … D. W. December 9, 2020. Proud member More and more people are choosing cremation. The Bible does not endorse, nor condemn, cremation There is no passage in the Bible condemning the modern practice of cremation. In spite of this, the Bible doesn’t make any mandate that the body at death has to be treated in this fashion. Anna Citelli and Raoul Bretzel have developed an organic, biodegradable burial capsule that will turn the deceased’s body into nutrients for a tree that will grow out of their remains. There are many topics about the Christian faith that Christians are unsure of, and one of them is the issue of cremation. The National Funeral Directors Association, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The length of this process can vary depending on how the body is treated after death, but regardless it is going to happen. Her work has been featured on Proverbs 31 Ministries, MOPS, Today's Christian Woman, and Focus On the Family. 20 Contemporary Christmas Songs to Play This Season. But this was … “If the Bible says it, it is good enough for me!” Clearly, the Bible shows that that even God practiced cremation. The Bible does not appear to have a stance for or against cremation; it remains neutral. There is nothing in Scripture that indicates that the modern practice of cremation is inappropriate. He explained in an essay for Crosswalk.com earlier this year that as far as he can tell, the Bible … Standard practice among Old Testament and in the New Testament was … After being encapsulated in the fetal position, the deceased is buried and either a tree or tree seed is planted above their capsule. ): Cremation, while the customary practice of the … There are occurrences in the Old Testament of people being burned to death ( 1 Kings 16:18; 2 Kings 21:6) and … What does the bible say about cremation? Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Anze Furlan/psgtproductions. The Jews always buried … And you’ve learned that person wants to be cremated. When I’m curious about what the bible says about something, I like to see lots of scripture references. It is a chance to remember, respect, and reminisce their lives. Job reiterated the final moments of the body in Job 34:14-15, “If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all mankind would perish together and man would return to the dust.". Does the Bible have anything to say about cremation? Although the Bible does not specifically speak to the subject of cremation, we do find in the Word of God that only the heathen tribes cremated people (burned their bodies with fire after death), while the Jews always buried bodies in graves in the ground, or entombed their dead in a cave or in an sepulcher, similar to our modern day mausoleums. The decision to dispose of the remains of a loved one seems largely based on the culture to which one belongs. If you are deciding between cremation or burial, it is important to check with the bible first. The Bible never directly addresses the issue of cremation, nor does it prohibit it. 17 Bible Verses about Cremation. What the Bible says about Cremation… I see four categories First off, I personally do not hold a divinity degree or make my profession in ministry. For Muslims, cremation is not only prohibited, it’s viewed as a desecration of the deceased. Find a cremation … For example, I told my husband I don’t want to be buried, I want my ashes to be spread out over the ocean. The Bible does not clearly define about cremation as a means to dispose of the dead. Although the Bible does not specifically speak to the subject of cremation, we do find in the Word of God that only the heathen tribes cremated people (burned their bodies with fire after death), while the Jews always buried bodies in graves in the ground, or entombed their dead in a cave or in an sepulcher, similar to our modern day mausoleums. God is equally able to raise a person’s remains that have been cremated as he is the remains of a person who was not cremated. Others figure that buried bodies return to dust anyway. Before we draw a conclusion on this important subject, let us consider what the Bible has to say. Funerals are meant for the living as a chance to celebrate the life of their loved ones who have passed. The word translated form is used in Scripture of the work of a potter forming his clay. kre-ma'-shun (compare saraph, Joshua 7:15, etc., "shall be burnt with fire"; kaio, 1 Corinthians 13:3, "If I give my body to be burned," etc. Whatever the reason we will dive into what the Bible says about burial or cremation when someone passes on. It’s true that burial was the common practice in the Bible, and cremation was rare. The consensus among most Christian traditions—including evangelicals—is that because the Bible does not directly forbid cremation, it is not a sin. The National Funeral Directors Association expects the trend shifting from burial toward cremation to continue over the next 20 years, with the projected rate of cremation reaching 78.8% of deaths by 2035. Read 30 Bible verses about death. However, there are over 200 references to burial in the … The Bible does not specifically say whether cremation is approved or not. What does the Bible say about cremation? Salem Media Group. The Bible teaches that God never changes. Praying Psalm 91 for Protection and Refuge. While we can’t draw specific conclusions as to why the decision was made to burn the bodies, what we can glean from this is that cremation is not considered sinful. But when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose and went all night and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. In Genesis 2:7, the Bible says God formed man (Hebrew asah). Lauded for its cheapness as compared to burials, the process is one that has elicited numerous debates in Christian circles. Burial is a much more beautiful picture of that than cremation … While there is no New Testament passage that actually forbids cremation, it seems clear that neither the Old Testament Jews nor the New Testament Christians cremated their dead. Is cremation a sin… is cremation in the Bible? Bible verses related to Cremation from the King James Version (KJV) by Relevance - Sort By Book Order . (cf. Sometimes, cremation is done because it is the “last wish” of the person who died. They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days. Although cremation accounts can be found in the Bible, the practice was not common or … God will resurrect his people at the second coming. In the cultures of the Bible times, burial in a tomb, cave or in … What is Holy Communion? Article Images Copyright © 2020 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. This isn’t what the Bible says. Although the Bible does not specifically speak about cremation, we do see in the Word of God that only the heathen tribes burned their bodies with fire after death. Are you considering cremation, let’s take a look at what the bible says about cremation. We must also consider what the Bible say about cremation. I just wanted to clear up some wrong I formation in your website. He has spent more than 30 years serving the body of Christ in various capacities and has just released his first book, The Pursuit of Purpose. Suffice it to say, there will be some kind of everlasting cremation going on. Hello. This is how Billy answered it: The Bible does not give specific directions on how to dispose of a body following a death. The Bible further states that it was a dishonor not to have a proper burial as mentioned in Ecclesiastes 6:3, 1 Samuel 31:9-13, and 2 Samuel 2:4-6. We see this in both the Old and New testaments. If it is approved, the goal is to create memorial parks full of trees instead of tombstones. It doesn’t matter if a loved one is cremated, buried, or placed in a pod to become a tree. In other words, God is not recreating your body from the dust of the earth, but recreating your body from the glory of heaven. One of the major reasons people choose cremation is because of the high cost of funerals which average between $7,000 - $12,000. Discover scripture quotes about burials and cremation in the Bible from this collection of relevant verses. Find a cremation … The Bible does not appear to have a stance for or against cremation; it remains neutral. Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.”. There is nothing in the Bible that forbids cremation as a means of disposing a person’s body. There is no explicit scriptural command against cremation. Actually, the Scriptures do not say anything about required modes of burial for believers. Despite that, there are … God starts us from a seed in the womb. The Bible has to do with all of life and death. The Bible neither favors nor forbids the process of cremation. The first actual mention of cremation in the Bible is 1 Samuel 31: 11-13 where Saul and his sons are burned and then their bones buried after terrible ravages were inflicted on their bodies. If you have ever struggled trying to find God’s will, this book will help you discover the different ways God leads you into his perfect will. She calls Nebraska home with her three kids and a husband of 21 years. Both run around $1,000 each. This isn’t what the Bible says. God created Adam by using pre-existing material, the earth. But it does give instances where the prophets in the Old Testament where buried versus burning their bodies after death (see Genesis 23:9, Deuteronomy 34:5-6, and Mark 6:29). There’s also the cost of digging a grave and purchasing funeral plots as well. Cremation was practiced in biblical times, but it was not commonly practiced by the Israelites or by New Testament believers. Being a famous preacher, Billy Graham was asked continuously questions about death. One cannot hold to a “doctrine” of cremation and simply ignore everything the Bible has to say about the human body in death. Decisions on how to treat the remains of loved after death ones seem to be largely guided by the culture in which one lives. We grow from young and small to strong, tall, and firmly rooted in the ground of his Word. Trees hold great symbolism and meaning across many different cultures. The Bible and Cremation Interestingly, there is no specific teaching in the Bible about cremation. Christian Questions / October 10, 2019 by Kenneth Ortiz. The underlying tone to this question and what you might really be asking is this, “Is choosing cremation sinful?” The answer takes us back to our original question: what does the Bible say about creation? This is completed in a cremation chamber, a masonry lined enclosure with temperatures of 1800-2000 degrees. Many fear that they or their loved ones will not be able to enter into eternal life if their earthly body is burned or destroyed. When you look at all the factors and add in what the Bible says about cremation, you can put your mind at ease knowing that you can decide what you want to be done with your body once you die. One of the common questions that he received is if cremation is OK for Christians. “Dust to dust, ashes to ashes." Compare that to cremation, which can cost as little as $1,000. The Hebrew has a play of words in Genesis 2:7. The fact that a body is cremated does not make it impossible or difficult for God to resurrect that body. Copyright © 2020, Bible Study Tools. After Saul and his sons died on Mount Gilboa, the Philistines found their bodies. However not everyone has a traditional burial. Today, cremation is fast becoming the preferred practice for sending off a loved one after death. Answer: The Bible does not give any specific teaching about cremation. As Timothy George says, “While the weight … To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com. Piper also says that cremation can be viewed as anti-biblical due to the Bible’s many references to hell and evil being associated with fire. In particular, he says it's sacrilegious to destroy the … Love, Dad. Cremation has no impact on your soul. This will apply regardless if your body is cremated or if it naturally decays over time. One day we will meet him face to face with a new body that will never wear out for all eternity. Here's what you can read in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Most Relevant Verses. Cremation can be defined as a method of the final disposition of a dead body through burning. All rights reserved. A common reason why more people are choosing cremation is to avoid the expenses related to funeral services and burial. Funerals are meant for the living as a chance to celebrate the life of their loved ones who have passed. What Is the Importance of Having a Spiritual Family? By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” 1 Samuel 31:12 ESV / 97 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful. For ancient Israel, burial in a tomb, cave, or in the ground was the common way to dispose of a human body (Genesis 23:19; 35:19; 2 Chronicles 16:14; Matthew 27:60-66). Although the Bible does not specifically speak to the subject of cremation, we do find in the Word of God that only the heathen tribes cremated people (burned their bodies with fire after death), while the Jews always buried bodies in graves in the ground, or entombed their dead in a cave or in an sepulcher, similar to our modern day mausoleums. But let’s dig a little deeper so we can have full perspective on this issue. Genesis 3:19 - In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it … It’s quite possible the men who did this were actually honoring the bodies of Saul and his son which had been desecrated by the Philistines. But it does give instances where the prophets in the Old Testament where buried versus burning their bodies after death (see … This statement rolls around in your mind as you contemplate death and what that would look like for you. 1 Samuel 31:12-13. all the valiant men rose and walked all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. Here is what we know about cremation in the Bible. "The use of fire to consume the human body on … of Since God has not made a definitive statement on this matter, you have the freedom to decide what you think is best for you. “Ashes to ashes and dust to dust” is a common refrain often heard at funerals, or more specifically, at the grave site right before burial. Within a few hours, the body is reduced to bone fragments. As I said from the beginning, you can view cremation as the express method of what is going to happen to your physical body after you die. 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