First, the Bible doesn’t forbid cremation. It also doesn’t dictate if a person should be buried or cremated.

Second, throughout the Bible, people treated the human body with great respect and often showed deep concern for a dead person’s remains. In Genesis 49:29-31 Jacob speaks of Abraham’s family tomb where Abraham, himself, his wife Sarah, his son Isaac, his daughter-in-law Rebekah, and granddaughter-in-law Leah were all buried in a cave in the field of Machpelah in Canaan. Jacob, even though he was in Egypt at the time, made his sons promise to bury him in the same cave with his wife Leah and other family members.

Third, it was a great disgrace not to have a proper burial. (See 1 Samuel 31:8-10; Ecclesiastes 6:3.)

Fourth, Genesis 50:2, 26 and Mark 16:1 show that embalming was practiced in both the Old and New Testament times.

Fifth, burning with fire in the Bible many times symbolizes purification from evil. Deuteronomy 7:25 speaks of burning idols with fire to utterly destroy the temptation to worship them, and Malachi 3:2 describes God coming as a refiner’s fire.

Sixth, in at least one instance, the burning of the bodies of the deceased was seen as an honorable portion of a burial ceremony when a proper burial had not previously been provided. The men of Jabesh-Gilead marched all night to rescue Saul’s headless body and the bodies of his three sons from the Philistines. They burned the bodies, buried the bones and fasted for seven days to mourn their deaths (1 Samuel 31:8-13). After David was anointed king in Saul’s place, he was told about what the men of Jabesh-Gilead had done. He praised them, “You are blessed of the LORD, for you have shown this kindness to your lord, to Saul, and have buried him. And now may the LORD show kindness and truth to you. I also will repay your kindness, because you have done this thing” (2 Samuel 2:5-6). He certainly did not condemn them for cremating Saul’s body and the bodies of his three sons prior to burial.

Returning to Dust

After death, God ordained that a person should be reduced to dust. “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19).
Browse Topics: What Does the Bible Say About Death?

When the body of a dead person is buried in the ground, the process of oxidation disintegrates it and, in time, reduces it to dust. Cremation, or burning, is merely another way of hastening the process of oxidation.

Cremation does in a few minutes what burial in the ground would require years to do, but the results are the same—the body is reduced to dust.

Therefore, cremation is in harmony with God's purpose for the disposal of the dead.

The Final Resurrection

The resurrection of the dusty remains of those who have died will present no difficulties to the Life-Giver. The omniscient, omnipotent God who created the world out of nothing marks the resting place of His saints. He will, at His second coming, bring them back from the dead and glorify their bodies regardless of their condition in death, whether they were cremated or buried. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and John 5:25-29.)

Cremation in Modern Times

Cremation is becoming an increasingly popular choice for the final disposition of the body at death.

Funeral arrangements for a cremated body are not that different from other options. The body may still be viewed prior to the service, and a service may be held with the deceased present in most cases. There are a number of options available for the disposition of the cremated remains, including burial and scattering.

Christians, especially, will want to give thoughtful consideration to all who may be affected by the decision, such as loved ones who may have strong feelings on the subject of cremation. One certainly would not like to bring unnecessary distress to anyone. If someone is completely against the process, it would be better to not force them to do something that would cause them emotional pain.

Final Thoughts on Cremation

As we finish examining what the Bible says about cremation, let's consider the following:

• The attitude of the Christian's heart will show deep respect for the wonderful body that God designed (Psalm 139:14).
• God will resurrect all of His children regardless of what has become of their bodies. When Jesus comes, “The dead in Christ” will be raised and given immortal bodies, “be conformed to His glorious body” (1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:54; Philippians 3:21). How happy we are as we look forward to that great day!