Cremation vs. Burial - Part 3
(more info from the below referenced website)
Is it Wrong for Christians to Choose Cremation?
Some factors which favor cremation:
It can be more economical, because a simple container can be used in place of an expensive casket.
There is no cost associated with the purchase and perpetual care of a grave site, or tombstone.
It allows scattering of the remains in a place of significance to the deceased.
Some people would rather have their body disposed of quickly by heat rather than allow it to decay in a grave.
Some factors which favor burial:
God selected burial at Moses' death (Deuteronomy 34:6).
Most of the reference to burning of a body in the Bible are instances of: punishment for criminal acts, punishment for improper behavior, killings by Pagans, or destruction of idols and evil material.
St. Paul appears to favor burial. In 1 Corinthians 15:35-44, he discusses how God will raise the decomposed body of a believer. The symbolism used is that of planting a seed and having new life rise from the decaying seed.
The Christian church has advocated burial since its inception. They reserved burning for Witches and other heretics. They exterminated hundreds of thousands of them, mainly during the 15th to 18th centuries.
Cremation can be an aid to murderers. Once a body has been cremated, it cannot be exhumed and analyzed for poisons.
Various Christian groups have taken a variety of positions on cremation:
The People's Gospel Hour condemns the practice.
The Roman Catholic Church used to condemn the practice. In fact, the only German Catholics excommunicated during World War II were not prison guards at extermination camps or other mass murderers; they were individuals who favored cremation.
RBC Ministries suggests a cautious approach.
Most Christian groups take a neutral stance.
"Cremation is completely banned by traditional Jews. Orthodox and Conservative practice would allow it only in a time of plague. Otherwise, interment in a Jewish cemetery is mandated." These beliefs are reinforced by recent memories of the millions of Jews who were cremated in the death camps of Nazi Germany. However, some rabbis in the Jewish Reform movement support cremation if it is the wish of the deceased.
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In other words, bibelot and beyond
3 hours ago
4 comments:
It seems to me the objections to cremation are more "superstitious" than anything. Symbolism is a fine thing, but let's not forget that a cremated body can just as easily be buried as ashes. It can be just as easily resurrected as perfect in Christ. God can raise it from ANY state, can't he?
Oh, I forgot to ask - why have you picked such a GRAVE topic?
Personally, I think it's a personal choice. At death, the soul/spirit has moved on - all that remains is the "shell". Personally, I want to be cremated and my ashes spread at the Laguna Meadow pass at Big Bend National Park. Even though I'm dead and long gone, the "thought" of being "confined" to a coffin is very claustrophobic. Plus, I really disdain the practice of "viewing" the body after death. I'd rather remember the deceased the way they were. The idea of going through the embalming practice, the expense, etc. and spending thousands on some sleek aerodynamic coffin that will be seen once and then put in a vault and burried. I was recently at a funeral and I talked to the "grave diggers" that were installing the vault and I asked what the purpose of it was and he told me it was to protect the coffin? Protect the coffin from what and for how long? It's not like it will ever be dug up and reused - I've never seen an advertisement for "slightly used" "used only once" coffins? Don't see any ads in the Peddler :) If I could be put in a tow sack and burried in the ground w/o a coffin, embalming, etc. - the way it was done not so long ago - then I'd consider it. I recently heard the practice of some group of using a simple pine coffin and then drilling holes in the floor, etc. so that the decay process is accelerated. I do like the idea of being cremated and then bury the ashes. You could even put a tombstone there.
http://www.kencollins.com/question-27.htm
shanea@sfajacks.com
Shane Allen
hey Matt, how's it going?
Hear things are going good there at Eb. and at TBI too. Praise god.
Hey was wondering if you knew Lawerence Thompson's email.
Thanks
Brent
you can email me at brentandtawm@hotmail.com
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