The Bible does not directly address whether Christians should choose burial or cremation. The common funeral practices in biblical times were burial in tombs, caves, or graves. Cremation was not a common practice among ancient Israelites or early Christians. However, the Bible emphasizes caring for the body respectfully and does not condemn cremation. Ultimately, the decision between burial and cremation is a matter of personal choice for Christians.
Burial in the Bible
Burial was the standard funerary practice in biblical times. Many examples in the Old and New Testaments describe burying the dead in tombs, caves, or graves.
In Genesis, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the Cave of Machpelah near Hebron (Genesis 23:19). The patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their wives were buried in the Cave of Machpelah as well (Genesis 49:29-32).
Deuteronomy 21:23 commands prompt burial for executed criminals: “you must bury them that day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.” Jesus was buried in a tomb after his crucifixion (Matthew 27:57-61).
Ananias and Sapphira were buried immediately after their sudden deaths in Acts 5:5-10. The custom of prompt burial is seen throughout the Old and New Testaments.
Reasons for Burial
There were several reasons burial was standard in biblical times:
- Burial showed honor and respect for the physical body.
- It allowed mourners to visit the grave and pay respects.
- Burying the dead promptly prevented defilement of the land.
- Tombs and mausoleums were used by wealthy families as status symbols.
Burial was the norm throughout the Bible, but cremation was not expressly forbidden.
Cremation in the Bible
There are a few instances in the Old Testament where bodies were burned instead of buried. However, these were exceptional cases.
After King Saul died by suicide, the Philistines mutilated his body and burned the remains (1 Samuel 31:8-13). Later, men from Jabesh Gilead recovered the bones and buried them (1 Samuel 31:13).
Ahab, the wicked king of Israel, was cremated according to his own instructions (1 Kings 16:31-33; 2 Kings 9:34-37). But this was not the normal practice for Hebrew people. Ahab was denounced for idolatry and may have adopted pagan customs.
During the plague at Sinai, God commanded that those who died by fire be buried outside the camp, instead of receiving an honorable burial (Numbers 16:41-50). This implies bodies were sometimes burned as a sanitary measure, but proper burial still occurred afterward.
In Amos 2:1, God condemns the king of Moab for burning bones as “lime” to make plaster. This desecration of human remains was seen as disgraceful.
Other than these circumstances, the Bible consistently shows burial as the way human remains were cared for. Cremation does not seem to have been a common or accepted practice among the Israelites.
Jewish and Christian Traditions
The historic Jewish and Christian preference has been burial, not cremation. However, neither Judaism nor Christianity today has a definitive stance forbidding cremation.
Jewish Traditions
Jewish law (“halakha”) historically disapproved of cremation. Traditional Jewish practice mandated prompt burial in the ground. This allowed the body to return to the earth from which it was created (Genesis 3:19).
However, many branches of modern Judaism allow cremation. Orthodox Jews still favor burial as the proper way to care for the deceased. Reform, Reconstructionist, and Conservative Jews leave the decision to families.
Christian Traditions
Early Christians modeled their burial practices after Jewish customs. By the 5th century, the practice of cremation had mostly disappeared among Christians.
The Christian catacombs in Rome contain few cremated remains. Early church fathers such as Augustine emphasized burying the body whole as a sign of faith in the resurrection. Burial became the norm for centuries.
Today, Catholicism strongly prefers traditional burial but does not forbid cremation. Protestant and Orthodox churches also allow cremation as an individual choice. Many churches have columbariums for storing cremated remains.
Principles for Christian Burial
The Bible does not directly address cremation, but it provides some principles for respectful treatment of the body after death:
- The body is part of God’s creation and should be treated with dignity (Genesis 1:27).
- Burial customs should reflect Christian beliefs about resurrection and eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).
- How we care for the dead reflects our love for them in life (Acts 9:36-39).
- Decision-making should avoid superstitious beliefs in the power of relics (2 Kings 13:20-21).
Within these principles, room exists for different funerary customs among Christians.
Reasons to Choose Cremation
Here are some common reasons families today choose cremation rather than traditional burial:
- Cremation costs significantly less than burial. The average cost of a funeral with cremation is $6,000 vs. $9,000 with burial.
- Cremation allows families to hold a memorial service without purchasing a burial plot.
- Cremated remains take up less space and allow flexibility in storage or scattering.
- Cremation may be more environmentally-friendly than burial in a cemetery plot.
- Some people view cremation as a clean and purifying process.
The table below shows the average costs of common funeral services with burial vs. cremation:
| Service | Burial | Cremation |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral home charges (viewings, service,etc.) | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Casket | $2,400 | $1,100 |
| Vault | $1,400 | N/A |
| Cremation fee | N/A | $350 |
| Cemetery plot | $2,000 | N/A |
| Total Cost | $7,800 | $3,450 |
Cremation is usually selected for financial reasons, flexibility, or personal preferences.
Reasons to Choose Burial
Here are some common reasons families choose traditional burial instead of cremation:
- Burial has been the traditional practice for centuries.
- An intact body awaiting resurrection may hold symbolic meaning.
- Visiting a gravesite provides a memorial for mourners.
- Burial in a family plot maintains a lineage tradition.
- Some prefer burying the intact body with less manipulation.
Even when cost is not a concern, many Christians favor burial for traditional or theological reasons.
Green Burial
“Green burial” has emerged recently as an eco-friendly alternative to cremation. It involves burying the unembalmed body in a biodegradable casket or shroud. No vault or concrete liner is used in the grave.
Advantages of green burial:
- More environmentally sustainable than standard burial or cremation.
- Simple, natural return of the body to the earth.
- Usually costs slightly less than traditional burial.
- Allows natural decomposition and renewal processes.
Green burial is still rare (less than 1% of burials), but is growing in popularity among ecologically-minded Christians and others.
Green Burial vs. Cremation – Environmental Impact
| Green Burial | Cremation | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Use | Very low | High (fossil fuels to burn body) |
| Carbon Emissions | Minimal | Higher |
| Land Use | Conserves land | Reduces land use |
| Body Preparation | No embalming | Usually embalmed |
| Casket/Urn | Biodegradable materials | Traditional materials |
Overall, green burial has less environmental impact than cremation or conventional burial.
What the Bible Says
The Bible does not directly address cremation. Scripture neither condemns nor commands the practice. Cremation was uncommon in biblical times, but so were many modern practices.
The central truths of Christianity – Christ’s resurrection, the hope of eternal life for believers, and respect for the human body as God’s creation – can be maintained with either burial or cremation.
While the historic norm has been burial, Christians today have flexibility in deciding between burial and cremation. Factors like finances, family traditions, and environmental impact may inform their choice.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible prescribes burial as the common mode of caring for dead bodies in ancient Israel. However, Scripture does not prohibit cremation. There is room for freedom among Christians deciding between burial and cremation.
The key principles from Scripture are: showing respect for the deceased, expressing faith in resurrection, and avoiding idolatrous rituals. Christians can honor these principles with burial, cremation, or alternatives like green burial.
The Bible commends caring for those who have passed away. Christians can make practical decisions about funerary customs while upholding their eternal hope in Christ.