Question Time: Cremation

We get questions and this seems to be a natural forum to try to provide answers. So here begins an occasional feature. Feel free to send your questions to pastordan @ calvarycommunitychurch.com. I’ll tell you why this question matters, what the Bible says, what I think and, where Christians disagree, I’ll do my best to give you an honest overview. I’ll try to put the “bottom line up front” but also provide you with enough background so you can wrestle with this yourself. Comments will be open so you can even try to draw me in. 

With that said, let’s dive in at the deep end!

Question:
Is it okay to have someone cremated? / Is cremation a sin?

Answer:
People are surprised to learn that this is one of the Top 5 questions that I get asked. It’s understandable that folks are concerned about what’s generically called “disposition of remains.” As a funeral director once told me, “This is the last thing we do for our loved ones and we only get one chance to get it right.” (He played on that sentiment to get families to spend that little extra on the funeral, by the way.)

Bottom Line:
The Bible is silent on how we should treat human remains. That’s not to say that there aren’t references to entombment, burial and even cremation. There are. But the fact is that they’re just references; there’s no Law to followed and there aren’t any directions given.

So why does matter so much?

At its most basic, care for the dead has been tied to recognizing that we are all created in the image of God. Treating a body with respect has been seen as a way of honoring that fact.

Is cremation disrespectful? I don’t see how - at least not when it’s done the way that we’re talking about here.

That seems pretty straightforward — are there other issues?

The Bible describes what theologians call the “General Resurrection” - that at the end of time everyone who’s ever lived will be brought back to life for Judgment Day. There are people who are concerned that if there’s no body left then there will be no resurrection. There are even people who believe that they can prevent their own resurrection (and Judgment!) by leaving no body behind.

Both of these points of view ignore two very relevant sides of the same coin:

1. It would be difficult to put a number on this but I’m pretty sure that a really large percentage of the bodies of all those who have ever lived/died are now very thoroughly decomposed - their bodies are gone. The Bible makes it very clear that God isn’t writing anyone “excused notes” for Judgment Day so regardless of which way they’re headed you can count on everyone being there.
2. Lest you think point 1 is too much conjecture, the Bible describes the sea, death and the grave all giving up the dead they hold just prior to Judgment. This is one of those “all” means “all” kinds of statements. The same God who will bring back the bodies of those whose remains have been circulating with the ocean currents all those years is surely able to reassemble the ashes of our loved ones.

There are two different issues that are usually the question behind this question:

• The deceased person’s wishes
• Cost

Regarding wishes, most of probably would avoid making an absolute promise on any one point. We’d be pretty quick to tell our loved ones that we’ll do what we can and leave it at that.

So what about cost?

First, it doesn’t help that folks are afraid of looking cheap by bringing up cost at a time like this but the fact is that the traditional American burial has become so expensive that families are often overwhelmed by the cost but we’re not talking small numbers for the average household. The FTC warns that “Many funerals run well over $10,000″ and looking around I learned that “funeral costs” doesn’t usually seem to include “cemetery costs.” I’m not sure what all is involved in “cemetery costs” but where I live it looks like just the cost of a burial plot adds another $5,000.

To put it in real terms, my living family can make several mortgage payments for the price of sending me off to glory in style. My Bible tells me that I won’t actually be in my body anymore so don’t spring for the extra-padded coffin with the satin lining - I won’t be enjoying it anyway! (Note to my family: Yes, this is permission to move me on as cheaply as possible!)

So be respectful of this body made in the image of God. As much as possible and within your budget, deal with your loved one’s remains in a way that honors their wishes.

And never forget that where you wait for Resurrection Day is nothing compared to where you spend eternity!

Posted by email from Ferndale Tonight (posterous)