Burial or Cremation?
Pat Adamson
In the past, I have officiated at several funerals, one of which was a cremation ceremony which was all the family was able (or willing) to afford. The ceremony was reverent and respectful, and the family gathered that day shared fond remembrances. On another occasion, I was asked about cremation as an option for a Jewish person. “Of course,” I said. “Cremation is an option, but is it the best option for your loved one?” and then I shared with her what the Scriptures have to say about death and burial. Jewish people are not usually favorable to the idea of cremation because it is such a vivid reminder of the millions that were burned in the death camps during Nazi Germany.deconciling the world to Himself! There is no greater gift or selfless act, than what HaShem has done for those who place their trust in Him.
In our modern culture which is deep in the throws of a recession, it is often more convenient and costs less to have a loved one cremated rather than buried. This may be the harsh reality that many face, but is it the best option from a Biblical standpoint?
In Parashah Chayei Sarah, the beloved wife of Avraham had passed away. B’resheet 23:1 says that Sarah lived to be 127 years of age and died in the Holy Land which, at the time, was only known as the land of Canaan. “Chayei Sarah” literally means “The Life of Sarah” and rather than talking about life, chapter 23 simply looks at the circumstances surrounding Sarah’s burial. Avraham could have succumbed to other methods such as the cremation practices of the Canaanites or other pagan cultures, but instead he chose to honor his wife with burial for the following reasons.
- It was G-d’s will.
- It is a Biblical acknowledgment of HaShem as Creator.
- With burial, there’s a symbolic message of hope for the future resurrection.
1. It was G-d’s will. For Sarah, even in her death she was part of the promise of G-d, that He would make Avraham into a great nation. If you read the account in Genesis 23:17-18, Avraham legally purchased the Land in which he would bury his beloved wife. This is perhaps the oldest real estate transaction on record! The Land was bought and sold and the deed was given to Avraham. In Genesis 17:8 Adonai said to Avraham that He would give to, “you and your descendants after you the Land in which you are now foreigners, all the land of Kena’an (Canaan) as a permanent possession . . .” Therefore, her burial in the Land fits perfectly with G-d’s will and covenant promise made to Avraham.
2. It is a Biblical acknowledgement of HaShem as Creator. Because mankind is made in the image of G-d (Genesis 1:26-27), a dignified burial is preferred over a dignified cremation. The human body is the vessel of the spirit (ruach), the soul (nefesh), and life, and the Psalmist says, “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). Avraham remembered his wife Sarah through the act of burial, thus, giving respect to the Creator.
In Deuteronomy 34:6, HaShem Himself buried the body of Moses: “He was buried in the valley across from Beit-P'or in the land of Mo'av, but to this day no one knows where his grave is” (Deuteronomy 34:6 CJB). This text became the basis for rabbinic teaching regarding the importance of burying the dead.
3. With burial, there’s a symbolic message of hope for the future resurrection. Even Avraham himself believed in a future resurrection of the dead, because after HaShem had already instructed Avraham to take his son to the Mt. Moriah and sacrifice him there as an offering (Gen. 22:2), Avraham still believed he would return with the boy (v.5) because of G-d’s promise. In other words, Avraham believed that he would sacrifice Isaac but that Isaac would be resurrected to life!
Avraham himself believed in the resurrection, “For he [Avraham] had concluded that G-d could even raise people from the dead.”
Hebrews 11:19
Other Scriptures regarding resurrection:
“Many of those sleeping in the dust of the earth will awaken, some to everlasting life and some to everlasting shame and abhorrence.” Daniel 12:2 (CJB)
“Don't be surprised at this; because the time is coming when all who are in the grave will hear his voice and come out -- those who have done good to a resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to a resurrection of judgment.” John 5:28-29 (CJB)
“. . . there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” Acts 24:15 (CJB)
And Ezekiel 37 gives a vivid picture of dry bones coming back to life as a mystical vision of the restoration of Israel in the Latter Days. Is G-d incapable of raising someone from the grave who has been cremated, or in some way dismembered? If HaShem can raise and restore Israel, He can raise and restore anyone in any condition! But our promise doesn’t end with restoration. We have been promised a change in our nature because Revelation 21:5 says He will make all things new. You see, it’s not just restoration – it is renewal and new life!
Therefore, the practice of burial is a statement that says we await the resurrection of our own bodies, and so we do all that we can to testify of this future reality by leaving the body intact as much as possible. The body of Sarah was carefully and lovingly returned to the dust of the earth from which original creation had come. As we honor the human body in life, we also honor it at the time of burial as a statement of our respect to G-d who is both the Creator and Restorer of all things!
