Religion and Cremation

How Cremation Is Viewed in Different Religious Traditions

Cremation has become increasingly popular in the United States. The cost-effectiveness and simplicity of the process make it practical for most American families.

Another reason for this shift in preference is the loosening of some religious restrictions. Historically, the terms religion and cremation rarely go together, but with the changing times, various religions have considered cremation as an acceptable practice. Let us look at some of them.

Christianity

Cremation may not be most preferable for Christians, but they do not prohibit it either. No passage in the Bible says cremation is forbidden, but other passages suggest that burial is preferred. For instance, in Deuteronomy 34:5-7, it was said that God buried Moses in the valley in the land of Moab.

Nowadays, for most Christians, the choice of cremation is left to the discretion of individuals and/or their families. Even when they opt for cremation, some aspects of traditional burials are kept, such as vigils and wakes.

Judaism

According to traditional Jewish laws, the deceased should be buried intact. The Jews believe that the human body belongs to God. Therefore, cremation would mean the destruction of God’s property.

While cremation may be against Jewish tradition, some Reform Jews have accepted the practice. The belief that cremation is not a form of desecration varies from community to community and their respective rabbis

Catholicism

The Catholic Church still encourages traditional burials, but cremation is permitted. For centuries, the church banned cremation, but the ban was lifted in 1963 as more and more people were choosing the practice. Catholics were opting for cremation mostly because of financial reasons, and cemeteries are getting overcrowded.

Buddhism

While burial is allowed in Buddhism, most Buddhists favor cremation. They believe that the human body is simply a vessel for the soul, so incinerating the remains can help free the soul from the physical body and get reincarnated as soon as possible.

Which Religions Do Not Cremate Their Dead?

Which Religions Practice Cremation?

There are different religious views on cremation. If you need to learn more about the specifics of religion and cremation, contact us at Direct Cremation Services of Virginia. We specialize in affordable cremation services.