The practice of cremation is not new; it’s been around since biblical times. But who was the first person cremated in the Bible, and what was the reason for it? Moreover, what does the scripture say about cremation? Why do some people, including Christians, prefer cremation to proper burial?
Continue reading as we provide the relevant answers to these questions and also discuss everything you need to know about cremation!
What is Cremation?
In simple terms, cremation is a burial practice that involves burning a dead body in intense heat until it becomes bone fragments and ashes. It’s a popular alternative to the traditional burial, where a dead person’s body is buried in a casket or coffin.
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During the cremation process, the human body is placed in a casket before being placed in the cremation chamber. With fire burning at a temperature of 1800 degrees or more in the chamber, the body burns to ashes.
Depending on their loved one’s preference, the body of a dead person can be in a casket made of wood or cardboard before cremation takes place. Typically, the whole cremation process takes about two to three hours to complete.
Afterwards, the person handling the body separates the bone fragments of the dead person from other materials and crushes it to powder or ashes known as cremains.
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Then, the family members of the dead collect their ashes in a plastic bag placed in an urn. While some families may prefer to scatter the ashes in a water body or on the land, others may bury them on a burial site.
The first mention of cremation in the Bible is from the biblical account of the death of King Saul and his sons. This biblical story is in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of 1 Samuel 31:12-13.
In the preceding verses of 1 Samuel 31, the Bible records that the Philistines fought against the Israelites, and many people died on Mount Gilboa. Then, the Philistines began to chase after Saul and his three sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua.
Eventually, the sons of Saul died due to the fierceness of the Philistines’ attack. Sadly, the archers also wounded Saul on the battle field. Because Saul didn’t want his death to come from the Philistines, he asked his armor-bearer to kill him. But the young man was afraid to carry out the order, so King Saul killed himself by falling on his sword.
When the Philistines saw the bodies of Saul and his sons, they cut off his head and removed his armor. They took the armor to the temple of their gods and attached Saul’s body to the wall of Beth-Shan.
Later, the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead found out what the Philistines did to the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons. So, their valiant men went to Beth Shan to take down the bodies from the wall. Thereafter, they took the bodies to Jabesh to burn them and buried their bones afterwards under a tamarisk tree.
Other instances of cremation in the scriptures are in the book of Amos 2:1 and Amos 6:10.
Common Christian beliefs About Cremation
Some Christians support the idea of cremating a dead body, while others think it’s a barbaric practice. Regardless, believers who don’t believe in cremation have justifiable reasons, often related to the Christian teaching they heard about it or their traditions.
Let’s talk about some of the common beliefs about cremation that impact the way some Christians view it:
1. Burial Symbolism
According to the gospel writers, the body of Jesus Christ was buried in a tomb. For this reason, some Christians believe that burning bodies doesn’t symbolize the burial of Christ Jesus. They hold on to the belief that cremation is not a biblical practice because it doesn’t demonstrate their Christian faith. And so, these Christians don’t consider cremation as an alternative to burial.
2. Beliefs About Resurrection
Several verses of the scriptures speak of the bodily resurrection of the dead on the last days, emphasizing the relevance of the physical body. One of these verses is 1 Corinthians 15:52: “It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.”
Considering this verse of the scripture, some Christians feel it’s inappropriate to burn a body to ashes because of the afterlife. They believe a cremated body may be affected negatively when it’s time for the resurrection of God’s people.
3. Concerns About Honoring the Dead
Another common reason some believers frown upon the idea of cremation is they think it’s disrespectful to the dead body. They believe there should be great reverence for the human body, whether living or dead.
In John 19:39-42, the Bible records that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus went to ask Pilate for permission to bury Jesus. The interesting part of this story is that Nicodemus took some burial spices (myrrh and aloes) of about seventy-five pounds—with him. So the two men wrapped the body of Jesus with the spices in linen and buried it in a new tomb.
This biblical story of Jesus’ burial encourages these Christians to bury their dead in a respectful and appropriate manner. The fact that a body will turn to ashes as a result of intense heat doesn’t sit well with them.
John MacArthur, a popular pastor and teacher of the word, says the Bible didn’t specifically give a direct command about the methods of burial for Christians. Nevertheless, the normal practice in the Old Testament and New Testament was burying the dead.
Just because the Israelites cremated the bodies of Saul and his sons after they died doesn’t imply that this was a standard practice in Israel. Considering the way the Philistines dismembered their bodies, cremation seems like the appropriate thing to do to them.
He further stated that while the dead bodies of Achan and his family were also burned, it is entirely different from the normal burial practices among the people of Israel.
Abraham was the first man to make funeral arrangements for his wife Sarah in the Bible (Genesis 23). When Sarah died in the land of Canaan, Abraham bought a piece of land to use as a burial place for her. He buried her in the cave of Machpelah, which later became the Cave of the Patriarchs.
When Abraham died, his body was laid in the family burial plot. Later, his son Isaac and his wife Rebekah, with their son Jacob and his wife Leah, were buried in the same family plot.
In the book of Mark 15:42-46, the Bible says that Joseph of Arimathea went to request the body of the Lord Jesus Christ after His crucifixion. Pilate gave him the permission to take the body, and he wrapped it in the linen before placing it in a tomb. After Joseph buried the body of Jesus, he secured the entrance of the tomb with a stone.
There are many other examples of burial in the Bible and only a few mentions of cremation.
The Bible doesn’t speak against the idea of cremating a dead body, suggesting that it’s not a sin. Christians who don’t support the idea of cremation are those who think it can affect the resurrection of the natural body on the day of judgment. But the fact remains that nothing is impossible for the Lord God Almighty.
If God decides to resurrect a body, cremation cannot hold Him back. He can replace an old body with a new body and even do much more if the need arises. Therefore, the idea of cremating a body is mainly dependent on personal preferences.
Why Do People Choose Cremation Over Burial?
Cremation has become an increasingly popular choice in many parts of the world for certain reasons. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, cremation will continue to become a common trend over the next twenty years.
In recent times, the majority of Americans are now opting for cremation rather than burial. One of the common reasons for this choice is the average cost of cremation, which is cheaper than burial.
On average, the cost of a funeral is estimated to be between $8000 and $10000. It is worth noting that grave digging and the plots of land for funerals also come at a cost. Altogether, the overall cost of burial can put a dent in one’s pocket. Alternatively, the cost of cremation is about $2000 to $4000, depending on the state and the preferred services.
Another reason some people prefer cremation to traditional burial is because it saves time. Losing a loved one to the cold hands of death can be physically and emotionally stressful. Planning how to organize a funeral service can contribute to the stress of the deceased’s family members.
Cremation saves time and energy, ensuring that the people grieving don’t go through much trouble. As a result, this makes it easy for them to accept that their loved one is no more, giving them a sense of peace.
Cremation or Burial: Which is Better for Christians?
The Bible didn’t give a direct instruction about cremation or burial. Therefore, the family of a deceased person can do whatever is convenient for them about their body.
Hebrews 9:27 says, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” In other words, the moment someone dies, their spiritual body goes to the throne of judgement. Thereafter, family members can decide on the final disposition of the body. This mainly depends on factors such as budget, time, and space for burial.
God is not interested in how people bury their dead but in the way a person lives their life. Cremation or burial doesn’t have any impact on the eternal life of the spirit. Still, many Christians prefer burial because it gives well-wishers the opportunity to celebrate the life of their dead loved ones.
Some believers also hold on to the words of King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 6:3, which says,
“A man might have a hundred children and live to be very old. But if he finds no satisfaction in life and doesn’t even get a decent burial, it would have been better for him to be born dead.”
Moreover, Jesus was buried properly and respectfully by those who loved him. And so it is important for Christians to do the same for their dead relatives under normal circumstances. The truth is, Christians can hold a memorial service after cremation just like they would do in a traditional burial.
Now to the question: Which is better between cremation and burial for Christians? There is no specific answer to this question other than for Christians to do whatever works for them. As long as they’re not sinning against God or breaking the law, they’re good to go.
Kennie Oguntoyinbo is a freelance content writer, editor and proofreader with over 4 years of experience. She is highly skilled in creating captivating and informative content across the Christian, relationship, and parenting niches. With a deep love for Christian-related articles, she writes content that inspires the readers, combining biblical lessons with practical knowledge. Whether writing devotional blogs, relationship advice, or family-focused articles, she aims to glorify God while connecting with readers through relatable, encouraging, faith-driven articles.
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