You know those little particles that fall from the sky after a beautiful firework show? Well they may not be left over remains of the fireworks; they may be the left over remains of grandpa.

An article I read a few years back stated…

“Ashes scattered at sea? Been there.  A tasteful burial with flowers placed over the grave? Done that.  With a new law that allows more options for the handling of cremated remains, Bay Area residents are proving that they want just as much variety in their deaths as they do in their lives. The first Bay Area scattering of cremated remains by fireworks was completed this summer.”

Such expressions of death are deeply theological, and, at least for me, deeply troubling. It is not just that we are spreading grandpa’s ashes across the sky, but the celebration of death and the disrespecting of the body.

In the year 2000 over 25% of all deaths were cremated. It is estimated that by the year 2010 this number will increase to around 40%. I was reading in our local magazine “Living Christian” that “Cremations are occurring at a higher rate than ever.”  This is certainly true in my experience as a pastor.  The article also points out (from the perspective of a local funeral home representative) that the growing amount of cremations is due to a “family not wanting the pain of seeing the body of the deceased, as well as prearrangments by the deceased not wanting to have people pass by their casket and look at them.” 

For many, cremation is appealing for a variety of reasons.

1) Logistically: Cremation takes less space than burial.

2) Economically: Cremation is cheaper than burial. (Caskets, burial fees, etc)

3) Personally: Cremation removes the fear that many have of being “viewed” by others after they die (as stated above). 

While these are just a few, of many, reasons people may give for being cremated, one should ask, “How should a Christian view the burial of the body?”

Burial in the Old Testament

Throughout the Old Testament burial constituted the proper means of dealing with dead bodies.
When Abraham’s wife Sarah died burial tombs were used (Gen. 23:4-6). Abraham’s family was all buried in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre (25:9). When the first high priest, Aaron, died, we are told that he was buried (Dt. 10:9). When Moses died the Scriptures says, “And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. (Dt. 34:5-6) Even criminals who had been put to death were deserving of burial. “His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but you shall bury him on that day.” (Deut 21:33). Of course, this passage specifically corresponds with the burial of Jesus, who died upon a cross. “Then they took the body of Jesus, wrapped him in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.” (John 19:40)

Not only was burial the clear practice in the Old Testament, but also the body (even though it would decompose) was buried in honor. Notice in the passage above when Jesus was buried, that he was buried with spices. It was a common practice to bury people with myrrh, aloes, and spices. (See 2 Chronicles 16:14, John 19:39) The point here is simply that the body, though dead, still warranted love, care, and respect.

The Old Testament does, however, speak of cremation in a sense. In Joshua chapter 7, anyone who stole items from Jericho would “be destroyed by fire.” When Achan was found guilty of such a crime, he was stoned and his entire family was burned. Also, in Lev 20:14, another judgment is given for any man who marries a woman and her mother. The same was true for a priest’s daughter who became a harlot. We should recognize that a biblical theology of God’s judgment is often centered around fire and burning.

Others might turn to 1 Samuel 31:11,12 were it seems to indicate that the body of King Saul and his sons were cremated. However, the Hebrew is very questionable here. The Hebrew word “saraf”, which means “to burn”, is very similar to the Hebrew word “sarap”, which means to “anoint with spices.” Hebrew scholars debate as to which one is most accurate, however in verse 14 we find that their bones were buried. It is hard to believe that if they were completely cremated that their bones could still be buried. Either way, given the amount of Scriptural evidence, it seems clear that one verse would not overthrow what was clearly the commonly held practice.

Death in the New Testament

Once again there are examples in the New Testament of bodies being burned as a result of God’s judgment (Rev 18:8, 19:20), yet the practice of the New Testament is once again burial. Although Paul does make reference to “though I give my body to be burned” (1 Corinthians 13:3), he is not speaking of the practice of cremation. Rather, Paul is speaking of sacrificing himself for the sake of the gospel as meaningless if he does not have love. That being said, the rest of the New Testament speaks in terms of burial.

Jesus Christ, the foundation of our faith was buried. This is important not just for the sake of practice, but also for theological implications. Paul clearly proclaims that just as “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and was buried, and that he rose again on the third day.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) In others words, the burial of Jesus is directly connected to His resurrection. Just as His body was put in a tomb, that same body came walking out of it. This is the hope that Paul continues to offer through the New Testament, namely just as we have be buried with Christ, we also will be resurrected with Christ. (Romans 6)

The New Testament views the dead as those who are merely asleep. The Greek word that is often used is “koimnomai”, which means “to lie down or to sleep.” This is precisely because death is not the end! In the Old Testament, the dead were viewed as those who were “asleep with there fathers” (1 Kings 2:10), Lazarus, according to Christ, was simply asleep (John 11), and those who are dead in Christ have merely fallen asleep (1 Thess 4).

Final Comments

Not only is how we view death a matter of theology, but how we go about honoring the dead is theological as well. I am not saying, nor could I say with biblical authority, that being cremated is a sin or a violation of Scripture. Nor am I saying that God cannot resurrect those who have been cremated, of course He can and will (just as God will resurrect someone who burned in an automobile accident or died in a burning fire). However, I do feel strongly that the practice of cremation says something about the body, death, and future resurrection, which is inconsistent with the biblical pattern and gospel message.

We must regain…

A Theology of the Body

So often at funerals we hear that the “body” doesn’t matter, what matters is that the spirit is with God. Such a statement could not be further from what the Scriptures teach. When the body is separated from the spirit, it is a tragic thing. This is precisely why we are “longing” for restoration, namely when our bodies will be glorified and reunited with our spirit.

Many pagan cultures resorted to cremation because they want to dispose of the body for fear of it returning. The Greeks and Romans favored cremation because of their philosophical views that downgraded the body in comparison to the spirit. Throughout history, and even in our modern culture, very little honor is given to the body of the dead. In general, cremation reflects a low view of the body after death. Christians need to reclaim the significance of our physical bodies, specifically at the graveside.

A Theology of Death

The hope that we have as Christians is that death is not the end, because in Christ, we have overcome death. Yet, death is deeply tragic. Often funerals are described by Christian ministers as “times to celebrate” instead of “mourning.” While I understand their point of view, death even for a Christian, is worthy of, and I would argue demanding of, mourning and weeping. Remember, the wages of sin is death, and therefore every funeral we go to ought to remind us of the consequences of sin and the fallen world order we are all currently apart of. That my friend, should to cause us to weep!

A Theology of Resurrection

Though we weep at death, we can weep with joy! The doctrine of the resurrection of the body is central to the Christian faith. Notice what Paul says…

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him… For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. (vv. 13-16).

Praise the Lord! The “Dead” “In Christ” “Will Rise”! The doctrine of the resurrection is what has motivated Christians throughout history to reject the practice of cremation and proclaim the practice of burying the dead. It is precisely because Christians have a high view of the body, a humble view of death, and a hope in the resurrection that we bury our dead.

And we look forward to a day that is better than any firework show; a day when the sky won’t be filled with the sound of bottle rockets, but the sound of trumpets. It won’t be filled with sparkling colors, but of colored people from every tribe and nation. And that same body that rolled back the tomb will roll back the clouds.  And that is why we bury the dead! 

Awaiting that day with you...
Pastor Wes