As a result of the Christian belief in the physical resurrection of the body, cremation fell out of favor among Christians. The topic is largely ignored by the vast majority of Christians because there are no detailed instructions for living and dying in the Old and New Testaments. Environmentalists are reconsidering cremation in light of the fact that it requires a lot of fuel and emits millions of tons of carbon dioxide each year. Most Americans today die as a result of cremation, not burial. That is true whether the dead are resurrected or not. So, any handicapped person will no longer be handicapped. Perhaps, the biggest concern among people who ask what the Bible says about cremation is the question, Is cremation sin? This is a valid question that needs to be answered. Given how detailed the instructions for living and dying set forth by almighty God in the Old and New Testaments are, we would argue that the topic is not addressed at all. We must not be all too focused on the question, Is cremation a sin? or What does the Bible say about cremation?, What we must ask ourselves is, Did I live a life worth living for? Did I serve God and fulfill His purpose for me?. 4L15For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment,Including every secret thing,Whether good or evil. In this post, let us answer the question, What does the Bible say about cremation?. 2010-2017 SmartTheme. Nitrous oxide and heavy metals, for example, can be found in the atmosphere for up to 100 years, releasing acids that deplete ozone and cause acid rain. The Orthodox religion does not directly link cremation to the general resurrection dogma, but cremation is considered a violent treatment of the body after death, and it is regarded as such extremely harshly. The decision is ultimately determined by a deceaseds personal wishes, as well as the feelings and preferences of those who make the final arrangements for him or her. Have You Discovered the Love of The Everyday Christ? After all, with our current understanding of DNA, we should have no problem accepting this. Can God resurrect a cremated body? An ash can only be buried in a cemetery or another sacred location. 12:2And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Thankfully, you dont have to search far and wide for the answer. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. is an effective and environmentally friendly method of disposal of bodies, and it is becoming more popular all the time. I too believe that it will be so for the saints a resurrection of spirit soul and body to eternity in a new heaven and new earth. The body was never meant to be the stable principle of identity, that is the job of the soul. There is no one answer to this question as it is a matter of faith. Some people are concerned that cremation may have spiritual consequences. 25 And Joshua said, Why have you troubled us? Personal. So, any handicapped person will no longer be handicapped. In Colossians 14:29, Paul speaks. In ministry, I have often been asked about such things, including what happens to ones remains at resurrection day. So, it really comes down to personal choice. Corinthians 13:3) I believe is talking about being able to do amazing things, but without love, you will get no credit.? In the United States, cremation is both legal and common practice. The Bibles second chapter, Chapter 5:1-5 ESV, was rated 43 out of 45 stars. This will in no way prevent God from being able to resurrect their bodies. Because of this, we cannot have our physical selves truly resurrected. God need only reform a physical body within the framework of the eternal spiritual body resulting in the re-creation of a body in his perfect image, just as Adam was initially created in a perfect state. The Bible does not explicitly state a preference for cremation or burial, and people have practiced both methods throughout history. As well, we can be entirely confident that we will be the same people at the resurrection that we were while here on earth. But, most importantly, husband to a beautiful wife and father to four awesome children. Thus, even an embalmed, buried body becomes dust eventually. God made our bodies miraculously, he can resurrect our bodies miraculously and he's promised to do that. God can do anything. Edmond OK 73013. They are all replicas. I engage and disagree with the common belief that there will not be sex in heaven. According to the prophet Jeremiah, the Lord is quoted as saying, Cremate his bones and scatter his ashes over the river Euphrates, after he had healed the sick. However, it was sometimes used by the authorities as punishment for heretics. We are not judged for our methods of burial, nor are we condemned as a result of them. Moreover, it is worth noting as well that cremation isnt only reserved for people who are on a tight budget. We believe God gave us our bodies, and they should be treated with respect. If you have ever said I am not the person I was you dont know how scientifically right you may be. Whether we are buried or cremated wont affect the power of the Resurrection on our behalf. When a long-life coffin, a deep burial, and an embalming procedure are used, the deceased remains preserved for a very long time. If you are looking for information on funeral services, you have come to the right place. He can do whatever He pleases and certainly, He can resurrect bodies that have been burned. In 1963, the law governing cemeteries was changed to allow cremation due to overcrowding. Because God can resurrect a cremated body. First, there may be some who think that a deceased, buried body remains in the form of a body until the morning of the First Resurrection when the body will simply be reanimated back to life. though the body may or may not be changed. And with Him all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). I would also just mention, in passing, that in my experience people often get confused as to how exactly God can manage to resurrect people whose bodies have decayed away centuries ago. The bodies of Christians who died a thousand years ago have, by now, completely turned into dust. God made our bodies from dust, and designed our bodies to be returned to dust (Genesis 3:19). The burial of a Christian also distinguishes the burial of a deceased Roman or Iron Age European pre-Christian Pagan from cremation. The resurrection of Jesus was a guarantee that, for those who believed in him, they too would do the same. That said, when God resurrects us He will not make us exactly as we are now. Here are a few relevant Scriptures that teach the physical resurrection of the body: Acts 24:15Having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. Your email address will not be published. And in Amos 6:10, the Israelites are threatened with cremation if they dont repent. Cremation and burial result in the same essential change in chemical nature. [1-minute video], Cremation hastens the body decomposition process, Cremation is more cost-effective than burial. God bless us all as we fight the good fight and run the good race. In the end, however, we should remember that the resurrection will take place by the power of God, who created the heavens and the earth. ). It was during this time that Josiah removed all of the shrines in the cities of Samaria, which had been built by the kings of Israel. Any Advice? As a result, Gods people, beginning with the people of Israel, have buried their dead and not cremated them. Interestingly, the evidence that our resurrected bodies may not share ontological continuity with our pre-resurrected bodies causes prominent professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary to have his doubts about the empty tomb of Jesus, even though he does not deny the physical resurrection of Jesus (Resurrecting Jesus: The Earliest Christian Tradition and Its Interpreters, 219-28). But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands: But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place. 11 Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12 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. Because cremation necessitates more planning time, it can be more expensive. Fun Photos of Latter-day Saint Leaders in the Snow! The practice of cremation has been carried out for thousands of years without any clear evidence of its efficacy. Some wealthy people also choose cremation as a personal preference. Moreover, you can bring with you the ashes anywhere you go. Perhaps your family wants you in a casket-filled. Or profit anything. Cremation is a process of disposing of a corpse through the use of fire. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. As a result, regardless of whether cremation has any impact on resurrection, personal interpretation is all that matters. Paul tells us in verse 42-44. If this is the case, we all believe that the actual body that we were saved in is different than the one that will be in eternity (so long as it is seven to ten years older). Some cemeteries have strict rules about which type of monument you can have. Lastly, I get commissions for purchases made through my Amazon affiliate links in this website. Lia. It doesnt matter what physical material God uses and whether they are the same atoms or different ones. Ezekiels vision of the valley of dry bones is a clue. Our temporary home the body our tent is no longer required. Gospel Q&A: My Children Have Left the Church & I Worry for Their Souls. King Solomon, as he approached the final years of his life, made this conclusion: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments,For this is mans all. Cremated bodies become part of the air and ash and buried bodies become part of the ground and plant life. His body was no longer there because God wanted us to know, with certainty, that he was raised. 1 Peter 3:18. Does the body we have when we are resurrected share any or all of its current physical ontology (stuff) that it currently has? So, its a non-issue. 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. They respect the desires of the individual. Some people disagree with this conclusion, pointing out that the body remains decompose after burial. Additionally, they believe the body and spirit are holy, and were created by God for his holy use. Who was Dorcas or Tabitha in the New Testament. As the other answers show, there's some debate over exactly how intact the body needs to be for Resurrection to work. No. Some peoples bodies have even been cremated and so are totally obliterated. While the Bible does not mention cremation specifically, it is clear that God is concerned about how we treat the bodies of those who have died. The argument is simple: bodies decompose and become part of other elements. After creating the human race, "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). In the final analysis, what the Bible says about cremation isnt the main concern of every Christian. Can God resurrect a cremated body? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Gods can do whatever their mythology says they can do. Most certainly. There is no definitive answer to this question as it is a matter of religious beliefs. According to church guidelines, cremation of the deceaseds body does not affect his or her soul. Furthermore, cremation is a more streamlined procedure that can help save space on the ground. The document reaffirms a . Although cremation is not regarded as a violent act in Orthodoxy, it is also viewed as a way to respect the dead. To make room for them, he slaughtered all of the priests of the high places, on the altars, and burned human bones on them. He can resurrect a body eaten by a shark or a baby torn limb from limb and aborted by its mother. 2023 Funeral Direct. In the same way, I don't like it when communion is served with eenie weenie pieces of bread and little plastic individual cups. God can restore life from ashes if he can create life from dust. Some have asked me if God uses the very same physical remains and even whether He has to retrieve all the atoms of carbon and hydrogen and so on that were in our bodies when we were alive. A. The Church Handbook states, The family of the deceased person decides whether his or her body should be buried or cremated. When a person is cremated and claims to be Jesus Christ, that act does not prevent the persons resurrection. cremation is not mentioned in the Bible. Christians should seek Gods guidance as the best conclusion to any search for answers. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that God can resurrect a cremated body, but some people find comfort in the belief. Ultimately, whether a person's body was buried at sea, destroyed in combat or an accident, intentionally cremated or buried in a grave, the person will be resurrected ." So, while we do not know His process of how, I believe we can rest assured that He can resurrect us from whatever matter, organized or unorganized that remains when the day of resurrection arrives. Gospel Q&A is a series from LDS Daily that strives to answer important gospel questions from readers. Cremation does not, in any way, prevent us from experiencing the fullness of heaven. Gospel Q&A: How Can I Find and Foster Celestial Love? Some people believe that it is a respectful and dignified way to dispose of a body, while others believe that it is a desecration of the body and goes against Gods wishes for us to bury our dead. However, others disagree, citing the fact that the body decomposes over time after burial as evidence. The vision of the Valley of Dry Bones. When presented with two options, cremation or burial, how can you make the right choice? We must also remember how some saints were burned at the stake. He can do whatever He pleases and certainly, He can resurrect bodies that have been burned. On average, it takes about 1-2 hours for an adult body to be fully disintegrated. For we live by faith, not by sight. Jesus our great redeemer ate and was in the physical body prior to his departure post-resurrection. | 2 March 2023. Will God resurrect the cremated people? No matter how completely destroyed, or how long ago the person lived, God is capable of giving every believer a . 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