What Does the Bible Say About Cremation?
Is it a sin to be cremated?
You might be surprised that the question “What does the Bible say about cremation?” is actually searched MORE OFTEN than “What does the Bible say about tattoos.”
Some people are just fine with being cremated - that might even be what they plan to have done to their bodies after their death. Some people are dead set against cremation - I’ve heard some folks wonder if it’s wrong or if it goes against what God says in the Bible.
Let’s explore what cremation is and think about if the Bible says being cremated is wrong.
What is Cremation?
Cremation involves the dead person’s body being incinerated inside a very hot chamber. Eventually, all that’s left of the person’s body will be a very fine ash-like material.
Families usually do one of three things with the ashes of their loved ones.
The ashes (also known as “cremains”) are placed in a single urn or multiple urns and given to family members.
The ashes are buried at a memorial site or cemetery.
The ashes are scattered in a special ceremony at a location that was special to the deceased loved one.
Why Do People Choose to Be Cremated?
There are quite a few reasons why someone might choose to be cremated, or the family might decide to have a loved one cremated. The reasons include:
Allow more flexibility in the timing of a memorial service.
Cremation is more affordable - about one-eighth of the cost of a traditional burial.
Some people want the emotional connection of having the urn in the house with them.
Some people have fears surrounding a traditional burial.
While there are some other reasons a person might choose to be cremated, these are some of the main reasons.
Why Are Some People Opposed to Cremation?
Some don’t like the idea of their loved one being cremated or being cremated themselves. Their reasons include:
Some feel it’s disrespectful to their loved ones.
Some believe it removes the family’s sense of closure from viewing the dead body in the casket.
Some oppose cremation because they believe the Bible teaches it’s wrong.
While there are probably other reasons why people oppose cremation, we will focus on whether or not the Bible teaches that cremation is sinful.
What Is the Origin of Cremation?
Those who oppose cremation on biblical grounds insist it’s wrong because cremation is a “pagan” practice. Cremation does have its roots in pagan cultures.
The Greeks introduced cremation on open fires to the Western world around 3,000 years ago. They probably got this practice from the Scandinavians, who cremated their soldiers who fell in battle in a foreign country to ensure they were honored for their courage and virtue.
The Romans continued the practice of cremating their military heroes, and it eventually became such a status symbol among the Romans that building and renting vaults for the cremated dead became a profitable business.
By the close of the first century, cremations stopped in the Roman Empire. Perhaps this was because of the spread of Christianity - which discouraged cremation because of its association with pagan rituals of the day and because some were concerned that it might interfere with the resurrection of a person’s body when Jesus returned.
Another reason cremation ceased in the Roman Empire was a wood shortage due to so many trees being cut down for cremations.
Today, in Western societies, cremation is practiced for practical reasons rather than pagan ones. Cemeteries are filling up, and cremation is a much cheaper alternative.
A Biblical Viewpoint on Cremation.
It’s also true that the general practice among Jews and Christians has been to bury their dead rather than burn the remains of their dead loved ones.
Abraham purchased a burial plot for his wife that continued to be used by his family (Genesis 23:9; 50:25).
Jesus Himself was buried in a tomb (Mark 15:46), which He didn’t stay in too long.
Ananias and Sapphira were buried beside each other (Acts 5:5-10).
While it was the standard practice for Jews and early Christians to bury their dead instead of burning them, no Bible verse condemns cremation as being sinful or a Bible verse that commands a traditional burial in the ground.
“Cremation” in the Old Testament.
There are actually at least two “cremations” that took place in the Old Testament. The first instance was when some brave Israelites took the bodies of Saul and his sons from the Philistines.
Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose and traveled 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. Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days. (1 Samuel 31:11-13)
The other occurrence was when Israel burned the body of Achan after he was executed for his sin.
And Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you this day." So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones. (Joshua 7:25)
The Body Being Burned in the New Testament.
In the famous “love” chapter, Paul mentions the body being burned. He’s not referring to the body being burned after death but being put into the fire as a means of execution.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:3)
Some Christians were persecuted, tortured, and put to death by being burned alive. Paul emphasizes that even a death like this is meaningless if the Christian does not have love.
What about the resurrection?
One of the primary Christian concerns about cremation is that it might interfere in some way with their resurrection when Jesus returns. This would be a significant issue if true, so let’s think about it.
All dead bodies - regardless of how they are buried or treated after death - will eventually decay and return to the dust (Ecclesiastes (12:7). All cremation does is accelerate the natural decomposition process of a dead body returning to the dust.
All who “sleep in Jesus” will receive a new body like our Savior’s in some way that will be incorruptible and immortal when Jesus returns (1 Corinthians 15:42-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Job 19:25-26). This will be true for Christians who have been dead for one day (and their bodies are still mostly intact) as well as for Christians who have been dead for over 1,000 years (and there’s probably nothing left of their body but dust).
The condition of a Christian’s dead body will not impact God’s power to raise them from the dead and give them a “new body.”
So, is cremation sinful?
No.
If cremation were sinful, then we would have to have some command from God that cremation would violate - and there is no such command.
Cremation in our Western culture today isn’t connected anymore to pagan ideas or practices. If it was, Christians ought to be mindful about their message to others in their community. In our culture, cremation is a matter of convenience for the family and the wishes of the deceased and is often done because it’s more affordable.
Not everyone will be comfortable with being cremated or want to be cremated - and that’s perfectly alright.
But know that it’s not wrong according to God’s Word and that He is powerful enough to raise you from the dead no matter what happens to your body.
Thank you for the historical information! I’d never thought of the Romans and others being the start of such!
This is a great message; so many people cannot afford a traditional burial. This is also good because too much has been imposed on people that is not biblical. Also, a lot of people make plans to be cremated. My brother told me to cremate him, and I did not want to do it. However, he got his wish because of the condition he was found in.