The Bible and Cremation

[Vee]

I saw an article about newt ways people are using to deal with the remains of their loved ones, and it got me thinking if there is anything in the Bible in the form of instructions.
Cremation is becoming more popular and I can see why. I also saw something about burying a persons remains and turn them into a tree. That one had a certain touch of beauty to it.
I did some research and there is no Bible command regarding either burial or cremation of the dead.
There are examples of both and no indication that one is more acceptable than the other. I know some people think cremation dishonors the body, but the Bible says that those who die return to the dust, which is what naturally happens to a corpse when it decomposes. (Genesis 3:19) Cremation actually speeds up the process.
Looks like it's a personal decision. I hope I don't have to make it anytime soon.

 

[Vinayaka]

I saw an article about newt ways people are using to deal with the remains of their loved ones, and it got me thinking if there is anything in the Bible in the form of instructions.
Cremation is becoming more popular and I can see why. I also saw something about burying a persons remains and turn them into a tree. That one had a certain touch of beauty to it.
I did some research and there is no Bible command regarding either burial or cremation of the dead.
There are examples of both and no indication that one is more acceptable than the other. I know some people think cremation dishonors the body, but the Bible says that those who die return to the dust, which is what naturally happens to a corpse when it decomposes. (Genesis 3:19) Cremation actually speeds up the process.
Looks like it's a personal decision. I hope I don't have to make it anytime soon.

I would suggest you do make that decision soon, as you never know when the Great Equalizer will appear. You can't make it after that fact.

 

[Gargovic Malkav]

I saw an article about newt ways people are using to deal with the remains of their loved ones, and it got me thinking if there is anything in the Bible in the form of instructions.
Cremation is becoming more popular and I can see why. I also saw something about burying a persons remains and turn them into a tree. That one had a certain touch of beauty to it.
I did some research and there is no Bible command regarding either burial or cremation of the dead.
There are examples of both and no indication that one is more acceptable than the other. I know some people think cremation dishonors the body, but the Bible says that those who die return to the dust, which is what naturally happens to a corpse when it decomposes. (Genesis 3:19) Cremation actually speeds up the process.
Looks like it's a personal decision. I hope I don't have to make it anytime soon.

For most of my life I've always wanted to be buried.
Since I've developed an interest in religion, where my first source of inspiration is the Bible, this only strengthened my desire to be buried; to be processed the same way as the deceased people from the Bible would.
Knowing that people exponentially multiply, especially in the modern, humanist world, I felt that cremation or donating my body to science may be the better choice though.
I don't like the idea that the living have to make room for the dead; for those I believe don't need that kind of space.

 

[dybmh]

In my faith tradition, the commandment to bury the dead comes from Deuteronomy 21:23. If the transgressor is buried, not cremated, then how much more so for others who have not transgressed in those ways.

 

[MikeF]

My thought on burial is to be encased in cement and dropped in a sea that in 250 million years will become an eroded plateau upon which I will potentially be discovered.

Have to find a geologist to give me the best candidate sea, though.

 

[Vee]

My thought on burial is to be encased in cement and dropped in a sea that in 250 million years will become an eroded plateau upon which I will potentially be discovered.

There is a good chance you might be discovered by the oil industry.

 

[Exaltist Ethan]

Syntheists tend to believe that the only way to spend your eternity after this life is cryonics. I don't take that position. I would prefer to have a new body sometime much further in the future after I die anyways, and I don't judge anyone for how they want their body to exist after its finished its purpose. However, with that being said, I do believe that people choose their afterlife, probably after they've died, not before. As far as cremation goes, it was the choice of famous comedian George Carlin and frankly an old, dead body isn't going to be much use for anyone so I respect that decision. As far as Judaism / Christianity / Islam goes there always seems to be something in the scripture that can be interpreted in a way that can make it sound like it could be against one or the other. I know in the Baha'i Faith when you die you are supposed to wear a certain ring to help get into the Abha Kingdom, the Baha'i place of the afterlife.

In any case, my beliefs have become too trans-theistic to believe in silly superstitions. As an Omnist and an Exaltist I believe that life is an ever reaching state of trying to become God, to do the things you couldn't do before. Since it will take a long time to get you back into a new body, if at that time it is even needed, I will take it that there is a period of non-existence after life that will end with the existence that the post-human curates for us, a life designed by the most intelligent, near-God like people that could ever exist. I don't know if that means I'll have a new body or simply exist as a soul somewhere in eternity. I do firmly believe this will happen someday, even if the humans on Earth all parish somehow. I don't care what happens with my old body as a result. But if I have in any way a chance to affect my afterlife here before I die I'll take that opportunity to tell others exactly what I want:

To be here again, on Earth, to be human again, and if possible, to keep the same high energy and optimism I often exude from this body. That's all I want. By the time I die my body will probably be too old to use anyways. Sure, there might be technology to stop or reverse entropy given towards the body, but I want that on my new body, not the old.

I think a lot.

 

[MikeF]

In any case, my beliefs have become too trans-theistic to believe in silly superstitions.

Out of personal curiosity, what distinguishes a silly superstition from a non-silly superstition?

 

[Truth in love]

I saw an article about newt ways people are using to deal with the remains of their loved ones, and it got me thinking if there is anything in the Bible in the form of instructions.
Cremation is becoming more popular and I can see why. I also saw something about burying a persons remains and turn them into a tree. That one had a certain touch of beauty to it.
I did some research and there is no Bible command regarding either burial or cremation of the dead.
There are examples of both and no indication that one is more acceptable than the other. I know some people think cremation dishonors the body, but the Bible says that those who die return to the dust, which is what naturally happens to a corpse when it decomposes. (Genesis 3:19) Cremation actually speeds up the process.
Looks like it's a personal decision. I hope I don't have to make it anytime soon.

I think that this is a choice that is far more about cultural norms than a specific Bible directive.
Personally I’m partial to being put in the ground also the cheapest bit of plywood box they can snag.

 

[Exaltist Ethan]

Out of personal curiosity, what distinguishes a silly superstition from a non-silly superstition?

... if I believe it or not.

No, actually, let me explain to you how and why I think my own superstitions aren't silly but others are...

Jesus existed nearly 2,000 years ago and told his people that he would come back to reign a new era for Christians. In fact, early Jewish Christians believed him so much they assumed it would be immediate and soon, so they decided not to write scripture of his teachings for hundreds of years. And now we have various religions, such as the JW, that claim that this new age is coming soon, but it's been nearly 2,000 years, with every marker and date altered to try to reach the next date of the rapture. At this point wouldn't it seem to most people that Christianity is pretty silly, if all of these dates keep missing?

On the other hand, life hasn't stopped growing and evolving. Sure, humans haven't changed their DNA for hundreds of thousands of years, but that doesn't mean we haven't changed the simple fact that our environment has grown and evolved to help accompany us. For example, I have to take various medications each day. If I couldn't take them I would probably have been dead by my early-20s. I am still alive and I'm around the same age Jesus was when he died: 33. All I see from the time humans existed up to this very point is that we've developed technology and science to become more God-like than we've ever imagined. And yes, there is a good possibility still that all the humans on Earth might die - that doesn't mean there couldn't be other planets with life, possibly other humans, or near-humans on them as well.

If you fully understand how life came to be, how we've thoroughly developed our living byproduct - extropy, and what that means for everything else, I think you will start to understand that my certain type of trans-theism has very little unrealistic superstitions compared to monotheistic faiths of other religions. These monotheistic religions assume that time has to stop at one point, but I am offering a solution which it won't and doesn't have to.

 

[MikeF]

... if I believe it or not.

I guess that sentiment is true for just about everyone.

No, actually, let me explain to you how and why I think my own superstitions aren't silly but others are...

Jesus existed nearly 2,000 years ago and told his people that he would come back to reign a new era for Christians. In fact, early Jewish Christians believed him so much they assumed it would be immediate and soon, so they decided not to write scripture of his teachings for hundreds of years. And now we have various religions, such as the JW, that claim that this new age is coming soon, but it's been nearly 2,000 years, with every marker and date altered to try to reach the next date of the rapture. At this point wouldn't it seem to most people that Christianity is pretty silly, if all of these dates keep missing?

On the other hand, life hasn't stopped growing and evolving. Sure, humans haven't changed their DNA for hundreds of thousands of years, but that doesn't mean we haven't changed the simple fact that our environment has grown and evolved to help accompany us. For example, I have to take various medications each day. If I couldn't take them I would probably have been dead by my early-20s. I am still alive and I'm around the same age Jesus was when he died: 33. All I see from the time humans existed up to this very point is that we've developed technology and science to become more God-like than we've ever imagined. And yes, there is a good possibility still that all the humans on Earth might die - that doesn't mean there couldn't be other planets with life, possibly other humans, or near-humans on them as well.

If you fully understand how life came to be, how we've thoroughly developed our living byproduct - extropy, and what that means for everything else, I think you will start to understand that my certain type of trans-theism has very little unrealistic superstitions compared to monotheistic faiths of other religions. These monotheistic religions assume that time has to stop at one point, but I am offering a solution which it won't and doesn't have to.

The rest of this seems compatible with a non-theistic, scientific stance on the state of things.

I would suggest that no one "fully" understands how life came to be, although there are satisfactory theories.

Its not clear to me whether you feel there are gods now or in the past, aside from your prediction that human beings will continually advance such that they would appear god-like to ancients, or you may even extend it to us also having that perception were we to meet a representative of more advanced future humanity.

Since the change in advancement will be gradual, it would be my prediction that no future generation would consider themselves gods or god-like, they would just consider themselves regular human beings of their time.

 

[Exaltist Ethan]

@MikeF

I consider myself a pantheist. But to me calling something God isn't as important as what that entity can do, that makes it truly divine. My stance is that I believe in a triune of divinity: The Omniverse (Ultimate Nature), and its ability to change, namely through Entropy and Extropy. It is through Entropy and Extropy, alongside evolution and time itself, that entities and identity will become Omniversal, thus, Gods by their own right. From The Omniverse to Omnitheism. Teilhard's Omega Point is the Omniversal Point of reality.

And yes, this process is extremely gradual, but syntheism as a theology was just proposed roughly ten years ago and religion is still stuck on what many had considered important thousands of years ago. Give it time and eventually syntheism will be as respected, if not even more so, than traditional monotheistic religions. I suspect that one day monotheism will be treated like a mythology and most people will either be syntheist, pantheist or humanist, based on their own perceptions. But syntheism isn't atheism; it's a type of trans-theism.

 

[MikeF]

@MikeF

I consider myself a pantheist. But to me calling something God isn't as important as what that entity can do, that makes it truly divine. My stance is that I believe in a triune of divinity: The Omniverse (Ultimate Nature), and its ability to change, namely through Entropy and Extropy. It is through Entropy and Extropy, alongside evolution and time itself, that entities and identity will become Omniversal, thus, Gods by their own right. From The Omniverse to Omnitheism. Teilhard's Omega Point is the Omniversal Point of reality.

And yes, this process is extremely gradual, but syntheism as a theology was just proposed roughly ten years ago and religion is still stuck on what many had considered important thousands of years ago. Give it time and eventually syntheism will be as respected, if not even more so, than traditional monotheistic religions. I suspect that one day monotheism will be treated like a mythology and most people will either be syntheist, pantheist or humanist, based on their own perceptions. But syntheism isn't atheism; it's a type of trans-theism.

Got it. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[stvdv]

I hope I don't have to make it anytime soon

Jesus says "Follow Me"

So, I plan to arise from the grave after 3 days. I don't want to risk messing this up, hence cremation is a "no go"

And when it doesn't work out then I think cremation is nice and clean. All these animals nibbling my flesh would not be my first option, hence "cremation is the way to go"

I hope I have enough years to decide which to choose

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

In my faith tradition, the commandment to bury the dead comes from Deuteronomy 21:23. If the transgressor is buried, not cremated, then how much more so for others who have not transgressed in those ways.

Also 14:2 which has led to the conclusion that cremation is the destruction/defilement of something that belongs to God.

 

[idea]

Ecclesiastes 3:20, Solomon declared, “All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.”

ashes to ashes, dust to dust

Our family chooses cremation - no family cemetery, we have an ash scattering place

 

[URAVIP2ME]

In my faith tradition, the commandment to bury the dead comes from Deuteronomy 21:23. If the transgressor is buried, not cremated, then how much more so for others who have not transgressed in those ways.

Remember faithful people like Jonathan were burned after death besides un-faithful - Joshua 7:25; 1 Samuel 31:8-13
Cremation speeds up the process of Genesis 3:19 ( dust )
So cremation was an acceptable way to treat remains - 2 Samuel 2:4-6.
Of course, the feelings of others could enter into the picture.
Back in the late 60's a couple of friends moved out of state because of work.
The husband suddenly died young and the wife in order to afford bringing his remains back home had him cremated.
A Catholic friend since school days wrote her a letter that what she did should Not even be done to a dog.

 

[URAVIP2ME]

Ecclesiastes 3:20, Solomon declared, “All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Our family chooses cremation - no family cemetery, we have an ash scattering place

Back in 1913 first purchase my grandfather made was a family plot. Last person buried there was cremated.
As for myself I would like to be around here at Jesus' coming Glory Time when Jesus will end ' enemy death ' .
- 1 Corinthians 15:26; Isaiah 25:8

 

[idea]

Back in 1913 first purchase my grandfather made was a family plot. Last person buried there was cremated.
As for myself I would like to be around here at Jesus' coming Glory Time when Jesus will end ' enemy death ' .
- 1 Corinthians 15:26; Isaiah 25:8

I don't believe in resurrection, and don't like the idea of worms and rot. I would rather leave my inheritance to better causes than having a big fancy funeral for myself. Dust, to dirt, to trees and life *after donating any usable organs

 

[URAVIP2ME]

Also 14:2 which has led to the conclusion that cremation is the destruction/defilement of something that belongs to God.

To me Deuteronomy 14:2 is in connection to 1 Peter 1:15 to be holy in one's conduct.
Deuteronomy 28:9 to be holy by walking in God's ways.
So, to me 14:2; 28:9 is about the living and Not about what to do about the dead.