Question about Christian thoughts on death. Please answer. (Jesus, Earth)

[Circle_One]

A friend of mine is having an argument with someone about Christian thoughts on burial and cremation. This person claims that being cremated is a severe sin and goes against God because Jesus wasn't cremated when he died, whereas my friend thinks it's not a sin.

Can someone please enlighten me as to what the actual thoughts on burial and cremation are according to Christianity? Thank you ever so much.

[Prima]

Generally, Catholics consider cremation to be bad. Not necessarily a sin, but burial is preferable to cremation. Protestants don't usually care

Lemme double check that stuff for you, but I'm pretty sure.

[Prima]

Hee. Heehee. Please don't get too angry.

But the practice of cremating never entirely superseded what Cicero tells us (De Leg., II, xxii) was the older rite among the Roman people. Indeed the Cornelian gens, one of the most cultured in Rome, had, with the single exception of Sulla, never permitted the burning of their dead. By the fifth century of the Christian Era, owing in great part to the rapid progress of Christianity, the practice of cremation had entirely ceased. The Christians never burned their dead, but followed from earliest days the practice of the Semitic race and the personal example of their Divine Founder. It is recorded that in times of persecution many risked their lives to recover the bodies of martyrs for the holy rites of Christian burial. The pagans, to destroy faith in the resurrection of the body, often cast the corpses of martyred Christians into the flames, fondly believing thus to render impossible the resurrection of the body. What Christian faith has ever held in this regard is clearly put by the third-century writer Minucius Felix, in his dialogue "Octavius", refuting the assertion that cremation made this resurrection an impossibility: "Nor do we fear, as you suppose, any harm from the [mode of] sepulture, but we adhere to the old, and better, custom" ("Nec, ut creditis, ullum damnum sepulturae timemus sed veterem et meliorem consuetudinem humandi frequentamus" -- P.L., III, 362).

II. CHURCH LEGISLATION

(1) In the Middle Ages

In all the legislation of the Church the placing of the body in the earth or tomb was a part of Christian burial. In the acts of the Council of Braga (Hardouin, III, 352), in the year 563, while we read that bodies of the dead are by no means to be buried within the basilicas where rest the remains of Apostles and martyrs, we are told that they may be buried without the wall; and that if cities have long forbidden the interment of the dead within their walls, with much greater right should the reverence due the holy martyrs claim this privilege

In conclusion, it must be remembered that there is nothing directly opposed to any dogma of the Church in the practice of cremation, and that, if ever the leaders of this sinister movement so far control the governments of the world as to make this custom universal, it would not be a lapse in the faith confided to her were she obliged to conform.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04481c.htm

IN SUMMARY: it's not a sin, but is generally seen as more pagan than Catholic and is therefore kinda frowned upon.

As far as I can tell, Protestantism doesn't really have any preferance.

[Circle_One]

The pagans, to destroy faith in the resurrection of the body, often cast the corpses of martyred Christians into the flames, fondly believing thus to render impossible the resurrection of the body.

Too funny! Yeah, that's actually exactly what we do. I burned the bodies of my Christian neighbours last night, actually. Hahaha, Kidding all...

Why would you think I would be angry Prima? On the contrary, I thank you muchly for answering the question. My friend is doing a victory dance as we speak

[Scott1]

C1,
Current RCC teaching about cremation does not view it in such a negative fashion.

Cremation is permitted for RCatholics, provided the ashes are not scattered. As long as the ashes remain together and the member does not deny that they believe in the resurection of the body, it is an accepted practice.

Scott

[Circle_One]

Thank you very much Scott! My friend will be happy to hear this. He was being told that he wouldn't be accepted into the kingdom of heaven if he chose to be cremated, which is what he wants.

[Prima]

The pagan bit was kinda anger-inducing...it was very ignorant.

Current RCC teaching about cremation does not view it in such a negative fashion.

yes, like I said, it's not doctrinally wrong, but it's still frowned upon by many. (probably because it was doctrinally forbidden at one time?)

[Snowbear]

How is cremation any less "Christian" than the Jewish (or whatever) tradition of burial??

Where in the bible does it say dead people must be buried a certain traditional way? (sorry for my ignorance... I'm still new at this Christian stuff )

[Scott1]

Originally Posted by Snowbear

Where in the bible does it say dead people must be buried a certain traditional way? (sorry for my ignorance... I'm still new at this Christian stuff )

Just FYI.... some of us Christians don't need to find a Bible verse to justify everything .... "Christian" burial is something that has changed with time, and Catholic teaching about the subject has changed with developing science and cultural traditions, provided they are not contrary to the Christian Tradition.

Peace in Christ,
Scott