What The Bible Says About Cremation

For years, cremation services in Phoenix, AZ, used to be viewed dominantly as a secular practice. Traditional funeral service was for the religious, particularly Christians. As more people embrace cremation and its economic and environmental benefits, many people of faith are wondering what the Bible actually says about it.

Below, we take a closer look.

What Does the Bible Say About Cremation?

The Old and New Testaments have passages that hold up burial as the standard practice for Israelites and early Christians. But there’s nothing like that for cremation. The Bible has no clearly defined position on cremation. The Scripture neither forbids it nor favors it. As a result, the Biblical evidence for or against cremation is based on subjective interpretation of passages that allude to it.

Cremation Passages in the Old Testament

One of the passages those who believe the Bible supports cremation frequently cite is “ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” The text from the book of Genesis is interpreted as proof it’s okay to burn a dead body as an alternative to burial. But looking at the first actual reference to cremation in the Holy Book tells a different story. In 1 Samuel 31: 11-13, inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead burned Saul and Jonathan and buried their bones after the Philistines mutilated their bodies. While this shows that cremation was practiced in Biblical times, this example shows they more likely did it for hygienic reasons than religious or standard practice. In other references, like Leviticus 20: 14 and 1 Samuel 31: 8 – 13, cremation was performed as punishment for sin against Israel. Still, the Bible never states an exact position.

Cremation Passages in the New Testament

There are zero references to cremation in the New Testament. The closest example is 1 Corinthians 15: 35-55, where Paul reminds believers that only the spiritual body is allowed to enter Heaven. Not the physical body. But in that passage, “buried” is the main action verb, suggesting that at least in Biblical times, burial was the custom of the time. In fact, to this point, there are over 200 references in the Bible. So, what does this mean for modern Christians who wish to be cremated?

Is it okay for Christians to get cremated?

Based on the Old and New Testaments, it is safe to say burial is standard practice for body disposition. And for most of its history, the Catholic Church agreed. The Church banned cremation for Catholics based on the belief that as an image of God, the body needed to remain intact to experience resurrection. Opponents have countered that if God is all-powerful, it should not be impossible for Him to resurrect someone after cremation. Moreso when you consider that it’s the spirit that will resurrect, not the physical body. This argument, combined with the increasing economic and logistical benefits of cremation, has changed the Catholic Church’s doctrine. The Church approved cremation as a disposition method in 1963. In 1997, it allowed cremated remains to be part of the funeral mass.

So, does this mean it’s okay to get cremated if you’re a Christian? It is a personal decision since the Bible doesn’t expressly forbid it. We also encourage you to talk to your spiritual advisor. Whatever you choose, burial or cremation services in Phoenix, AZ, reach out to us. We have long-standing relationships with various Christian churches. We can help you organize a farewell that meets your religious ideals. Call or visit us to get started.