Burial or Cremation for Christians?

A Biblical Pattern for Funerals

‘Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.’  ~ Acts 8:2

Believers who have come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ as a result of God’s sovereign, elective grace have the assurance of the Bible’s promise that, once they die, their immortal soul is at once translated to heaven to be forever with their Lord and Saviour. Whilst the fact that our soul is at once received into glory is a great comfort at a time of bereavement, there does come the point when a decision has to be made about what to do with our earthly body. Should it be buried or cremated — and does it really matter anyway?

Although neither of the practices is in itself sinful, and the Bible does not give any absolute command in the matter, that does not negate the fact that careful and sympathetic thought should be given to decide how and where our loved ones’ final remains should be laid to rest.

This volume seeks to demonstrate from the examples, illustrations and teaching of Scripture, from both the Old and New Testament, that burial has always been the preferred manner of laying to rest the mortal remains of Christians. Burial also expresses the certain hope of resurrection when Jesus returns to gather his people to himself.