To my knowledge, the Bible does not mention the practice of cremation. Out of my curiosity, I decided to do a little research on the subject.
Cremation was first introduced to the Western world by the Greeks about 1000 B.C. to deal with the many soldiers who died in battle. Armies burned the bodies and took the ashes home for funeral and burial rather than leaving them on the foreign battlefield. The Romans followed the Greeks in this practice and it grew and became a status symbol in Rome. However, the practice ceased in A.D. 100, probably due to a shortage of wood as well as a lack of encouragement from the religious leaders of the day, mainly Roman Catholic. Some thought erroneously that cremation would interfere with the promised resurrection from the dead.
After Western Europe converted to Roman Christianity, cremation was rarely done until the 19 Century except in emergencies such as mass burials of people who died from the plague. India and Eastern countries favor cremation as an ancient and favored means to take care of the deceased. Cremation was made legal in England in 1884, again for reasons of sanitation, and it grew in acceptance with the Medical community's approval.
The first Crematorium was built in the United States in 1876, but the practice had been comparatively unpopular. By 1970, only 8% were cremated in the United States in comparison to Europe's 50%. Cremation has become more important in the last few years due to the lack of cemetery space and mounting burial expenses. Japan's cremation was illegal until 1875, but is now done nearly 100% of the time. Only the Orthodox Jewish faith forbids the practice of cremation.
Today, cremation is looked upon as an acceptable choice for the individual involved or the family to decide. I, personally prefer burial, but that is my preference probably because it has been the choice of my ancestors over the years. Actually, I don't guess the decision has any great consequence since the outcome will be the same in either case. As Christians we realize this is our temporary home and look forward to our eternal home with the Lord. Cremation or burial make little difference in our final destination whether it be Heaven or Hell. The important thing is not how we die and are buried, but how we choose to live our life......in concert with God's will or in disobedience to His commands...........we all have a choice!
I am working on mine!
Cremation was first introduced to the Western world by the Greeks about 1000 B.C. to deal with the many soldiers who died in battle. Armies burned the bodies and took the ashes home for funeral and burial rather than leaving them on the foreign battlefield. The Romans followed the Greeks in this practice and it grew and became a status symbol in Rome. However, the practice ceased in A.D. 100, probably due to a shortage of wood as well as a lack of encouragement from the religious leaders of the day, mainly Roman Catholic. Some thought erroneously that cremation would interfere with the promised resurrection from the dead.
After Western Europe converted to Roman Christianity, cremation was rarely done until the 19 Century except in emergencies such as mass burials of people who died from the plague. India and Eastern countries favor cremation as an ancient and favored means to take care of the deceased. Cremation was made legal in England in 1884, again for reasons of sanitation, and it grew in acceptance with the Medical community's approval.
The first Crematorium was built in the United States in 1876, but the practice had been comparatively unpopular. By 1970, only 8% were cremated in the United States in comparison to Europe's 50%. Cremation has become more important in the last few years due to the lack of cemetery space and mounting burial expenses. Japan's cremation was illegal until 1875, but is now done nearly 100% of the time. Only the Orthodox Jewish faith forbids the practice of cremation.
Today, cremation is looked upon as an acceptable choice for the individual involved or the family to decide. I, personally prefer burial, but that is my preference probably because it has been the choice of my ancestors over the years. Actually, I don't guess the decision has any great consequence since the outcome will be the same in either case. As Christians we realize this is our temporary home and look forward to our eternal home with the Lord. Cremation or burial make little difference in our final destination whether it be Heaven or Hell. The important thing is not how we die and are buried, but how we choose to live our life......in concert with God's will or in disobedience to His commands...........we all have a choice!
I am working on mine!
In Christian love,
Jan
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