Burial or cremation: the way to dispose of the dead in light of, cultural, social and religious issues
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.19141/1809-2454.kerygma.v18.n1.pe1609Keywords:
Burial, Cremation, Culture, BibleAbstract
Human civilizations have always demonstrated zeal and reverence when disposing of the dead at all times. Among Easterners, cremation has been the predominant practice. In Jewish and Christian cultures, tomb burial has been the most common, but in recent decades cremation has become a dominant practice in many Western countries. The popularization of crematoriums in the West raises the important question whether the Bible offers prescription on the decision to cremate or bury the dead. This article reflects on burial and cremation, their occurrence in history, their current rates, and what the Bible has to say about them. The biblical accounts of burial, punishment by fire and cremation are approached from a theological point of view, with the aim of understanding the nature of the account whether prescriptive or not. The essential thing in discussing the issue is to highlight the biblical hope of the restoration of all things in Christ, including the resurrection of human beings to immortal life or to judgment.
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