Does the Bible Prohibit Cremation?
November 7th, 2006
(By John MacArthur)
Scripture says nothing about a required mode of burial for either believers or non-believers. However, burying the body was the standard practice among the Israelites in the Old Testament and Christians in the New. There were some exceptions: the people decided to cremate Saul and Jonathan and then bury their ashes because their bodies had been mutilated by the Philistines (1 Sam. 31:8-13). In another instance, Achan and his family were cremated after being executed for sinning against Israel (Josh. 7:25).
Obviously any buried body will eventually decompose (Eccles. 12:7). So cremation isn’t a strange or wrong practice–it merely accelerates the natural process of oxidation. The believer will one day receive a new body (1 Cor. 15:42-49; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Job 19:25-26), thus the state of what remains of the old body is unimportant.
The imagery of Christ’s resurrection pictures burial and then a raising up from the dead (Rom. 6:3-5; 1 Cor. 15:3-4). Because of that, many Christians prefer burial to cremation to maintain a likeness to Christ’s burial (although literally He was laid in state in a cave, not buried in the ground).
What we need to focus on as Christians is not how to dispose of our earthly bodies, but that one day new bodies will be fashioned for us like our Lord’s glorious resurrection body (see Phil. 3:21; cf. Luke 24:30-40; John 20:19, 26; 21:1-14; and Acts 1:1-9 to get an idea of what to look forward to). That transformation will be eternal!
Very timely indeed, for me personally! A friend and I have been having something of a friendly debate over this issue recently. His major argument is precisely the imagery of Christ’s burial and resurrection. I think I’ll “accidentally” forward this URL to him!
As a former funeral and cemetery director I found the cremation process disrepectful. The body is utterly consumed, leaving only large bone fragment which are then pulverized into powder. When viewing the cremation process I often thought of Amos 2:1-2,
Thus says the LORD,”For three transgressions of Moab and for four I will not revoke its punishment, because he burned the bones of the king of Edom to lime. So I will send fire upon Moab
And it will consume the citadels of Kerioth;
And Moab will die amid tumult,
With war cries and the sound of a trumpet.”
I have often wondered about the cultural significance of cremation vs. burial. In particular, I wonder if sometimes people might choose based on (and cultural traditions actually originate from) their beliefs about the after-life. In particular, I believe that burial can be somewhat of a cultural statement of faith in the future resurrection, our trust that this is not all there is, that God WILL raise us up.
I wonder if cremation for some isn’t also a cultural statement that it’s over and “this is all there is”.
I realize this is not black & white per Scripture, but I think there is definitely a respect for and reverence of God’s unique creation of mankind and us as individuals associated in burial that is not present or even opposite in cremation.
Great article. Thanks John!
This has been a fun debate between my wife and I on our wishes when we die. I have always said that I want to be buried and she finds cemetaries creepy so wants to be cremated, scattered and move on. I like the idea of my grandmother’s grave as it is a great time to reflect on her life. Not that I think she is in my presence but it does give the eyes something to see as your mind meditates on those things. I don’t have anything against cremation I just like the idea of going to an actual place to remember someone.
In respect to matters of disposing of human remains, we ought to do what our conscience allows and also be guided by love.
Nathan,
Sorry to use this comment section to post a question/possible future Pulpit Magazine topic…but I could not find anywhere to direct questions or suggestions. So, having apologized beforehand, I feel at perfect liberty to proceed with breaking the weblog rules.
Here is my quandary – living in the Midwest, I have noticed much more talk of revival/revivalism than in other parts of the country. Places like Life Action Revival Ministries in Buchanan, MI (and others as well) seem to have a steady influence in many Midwestern states. I have wrestled with the question of whether it is right and beneficial to preach/seek revival (in the sense of an unusual visiting of the Spirit of God). I don’t struggle with the fact that revival happens, but I struggle with the biblical support of preaching for revival. I also question the effects that long-term revival preaching can leave on the congregation (turning a deaf ear to a heavily worn subject) and on the preacher as well (I personally have observed a number of “revival” preachers dealing with chronic depressive attitudes/irritability because revival has not come). I am just wondering if other preachers on your site deal with similar issues and influences, and if so, would this topic warrant a future Pulpit Magazine discussion? Thanks for letting me be a blogging renegade.
It seems that burial typifies our belief in the bodily resurection, also as well as basic, human dignity. Of course, God can raise a cremated body just as well. It just seems that burial points more towards a biblical, Christian worldview.
Thank you John for making it clear that it really doesn’t matter what happens to our bodies after we are dead.I have wanted to be cremated after my death & wasn’t sure about it because of no scripture regarding this.Now I know,so thank you & a very heartfelt ” God Bless”!
Charlie365
Your thoughts were almost the reverse of my own.
Most of those I know who wanted burial were afraid of what would happen after death (mentioning being to much like burning in hell; but not concerned with the worms!)
While those choosing cremation felt no need to hang on to this old body knowing they would be getting a new and better one.
While I would prefer to reflect upon the martyred saints to give me a reference, whenever I think of the body after death I am always drawn to the image of the lost at sea. (Rev 20:13)
Companies such as LifeGem (see lifegem.com) etc. can (for a hefty fee no doubt) turn eight ounces or so of cremated remains into an artificial diamond, which can then be set into a piece of jewelry and worn.
They offer this service for pets too.
What a world…
I feel that it doesn’t matter if you are cremated or buried. The benefit to being cremated is to kill off any disease the body carries or will develop through the decomposition stage. It doesn’t take up as much space. You can have your ashes buried or entombed or spread them out almost anywhere you desire.
On revival, read Rob Randall_ ‘the Invisible War’ and Greg Frizzell_’How to Lead a Powerful Prayer Life’
I remember talking to a Japanese missionary about this issue. There is zero space over there to bury someone in the ground. The cost is simply astronomical. Almost everyone is cremated over there when they die, simply from necessity.
I am a Christian, and am strongly against cremation. Many believe the Bible needs to be black or white in its approach to directing us on what is right or wrong in the eyes of God. However, a lot of what is taught in the Scriptures is also done through example or teachings. Something I find very interesting is that burial and cremation both occur in the Bible, although cremation was followed by God’s wrath or judgement in some way (examples include Achan in Joshua 7:25; Saul in 1 Samuel 31:12 (It is presumed his body was cremated, although his bones were buried); and The King of Edom in Amos 2:1-2). Yes, God is all powerful and could resurrect our bodies in an instant no matter whether we are cremated or buried. But what is more important in our decision regarding how we dispose of our bodies once we die, is also what we portray to a society that is watching and scrutinizing Christians’ beliefs and actions. Actions speak louder than words,
and when we practice cremation, it often portrays an image that Christians believe that death is the end of everything. Yet thats not true of our beliefs. Do our actions portray and show the world what we believe? Also interestingly, is the term “Ashes to Ashes and Dust to Dust” taken from The Book of Common Prayer. It does not say “Dust to Ashes” or vice versa. Throughout the Bible, Jesus compares or refers to us as trees (eg John 15: 1-5). Trees sprout from a seed planted in soil or dust. Nothing can grow from ashes. When one looks at the definition of ash compared to dust, dust does not evolve from an element which has been burnt, unlike ash. This does not honestly reflect our beliefs of one day being resurrected.
One last point I would like to make, is that in the Bible, God makes it clear that his original creation was good. In 1 Corin 6:19 it says our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Would you burn a body if the soul of a person was still present? No. The soul of a person may be in heaven with God but one day He will resurrect our original bodies He formed, and what is more degrading to God than burning something He has made clear He will redeem perfected on the new earth come resurrection day? It is saying to God and a watching world that our earthly bodies are worthless in our eyes, that there is no further purpose for it. Yet even after our death, our bodies are not worthless to God. He has a plan to restore and redeem them back to life later down the track (see Revelations). If you look in the Bible, the words used throughout include Reconcile, Redeem, Return, Regenerate, Recover, Renew, Restore, and Resurrect. All beginning with the re-prefix, which suggests a return to an original state. For example, Redemption means to buy back what was formerly owned. Likewise God intends this for our earthly bodies too. What do you want to portray through choosing a burial or cremation for yourself?
I have been thinking about this issue lately because I had to have my pet cremated. I know there is nothing wrong with that any more than the choice of having to have him put to sleep which broke my heart. I picked up his ashes the other day. I must say even with a pet it bothers me. My dad has spoken of wanting to be cremated and his sister, my aunt, was cremated. That was my first experience with cremation and it deeply disturbed me. (My aunt was not a Christian.)
Lately, I can’t help but think of the association that cremation has with the pagan culture. I respect John MacArthur’s opinion greatly. That is why I searched for his opinion on-line. I also found another pastors opinion.
http://www.macgregorministries.org/cult_groups/cremation.html
This man seems to be in line with my personal thinking. I wonder what the puritans thought about the practice. I may search that out next. Anyway, if anyone reads the article let me know what you think.
God Bless!
Debra
While I seem to agree with a lot of what is said in the link I sited above, it also seems somewhat legalistic. Even though I feel it is not a Biblical practice I don’t feel that I could tell someone it is a sin either. Maybe this is one of those things that our conscience should guide us in.