A Christian View on Cremation

Why Cremation Is Not Supported by God’s People

A Biblical and Theological Argument

Introduction

Throughout Scripture, God’s people consistently practiced burial rather than cremation. While the Bible does not contain a direct command explicitly forbidding cremation, the overwhelming pattern of Scripture, theological symbolism, and reverence for the body strongly support burial as God’s design for honoring the dead.

This document presents biblical, theological, and historical reasons why cremation is not supported by God’s people.

1. The Consistent Biblical Practice of Burial

From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God’s people buried their dead.

  • Abraham purchased the Cave of Machpelah to bury Sarah (Genesis 23).
  • Jacob was buried in the family tomb (Genesis 49:29–31).
  • Joseph specifically requested that his bones be carried out of Egypt and buried in the Promised Land (Genesis 50:25; Exodus 13:19). After the Exodus, his bones were relocated and buried at Shechem (Joshua 24:32). This demonstrates a lasting respect for the body, even long after death.
  • Moses was buried by God Himself (Deuteronomy 34:5–6).
  • King David was buried in the City of David (1 Kings 2:10).
  • Jesus Christ was buried in a tomb (Matthew 27:59–60).

Burial was the normative and honored practice among God’s covenant people.

2. Man Was Made in the Image of God

Genesis 1:26–27 teaches that mankind was created in the image and likeness of God.

This doctrine—often referred to as the Imago Dei—means that the human body is not accidental or insignificant. It was intentionally designed by God and uniquely reflects His image in creation.

Because humans bear God’s image:

  • The body has inherent dignity and sacred worth.
  • Human life is treated as distinct from animal life.
  • The shedding or mistreatment of human blood carries severe consequences (Genesis 9:6).

If the body reflects God’s image, then it deserves reverent treatment even in death. Burial gently returns the body to the earth (“for dust you are, and to dust you shall return” – Genesis 3:19), whereas cremation actively destroys the body by fire. For many believers, burial better reflects respect for the divine image imprinted upon humanity.

3. Cremation in Scripture Is Associated with Judgment

When burning of bodies appears in Scripture, it is often associated with judgment or disgrace.

  • In certain Old Testament passages, burning was used as a sign of severe judgment (e.g., Leviticus 20:14; Joshua 7:25).
  • The destruction of bodies by fire often symbolized divine wrath rather than honor.

In contrast, burial was viewed as a sign of dignity and covenant identity.

4. The Body Is the Temple of the Holy Spirit

In the New Testament, believers’ bodies are described as sacred:

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

The body is not merely a shell; it is created by God, redeemed by Christ, and indwelt by the Spirit. Because of this, many argue it should be treated with reverence even in death. Burial symbolizes laying the body to rest rather than destroying it.

5. The Doctrine of Bodily Resurrection

Christian hope centers on bodily resurrection.

  • Jesus Christ rose bodily from the grave.
  • Believers await resurrection (1 Corinthians 15).

Burial symbolizes planting a seed in the ground, reflecting Paul’s analogy:

“What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.” (1 Corinthians 15:36)

Just as a seed is planted and later raised, burial reflects faith in resurrection. Cremation, some argue, obscures this symbolism.

6. Early Christian and Jewish Practice

Historically:

  • Jewish communities practiced burial.
  • Early Christians distinguished themselves from pagan Roman cremation practices by burying their dead.
  • Burial became a testimony to belief in bodily resurrection.

This historical continuity reinforces the biblical pattern.

7. Honor and Care for the Body

Scripture consistently emphasizes honoring the body in life and death:

  • The careful burial of Jesus Christ shows reverence and preparation.
  • Denial of burial in Scripture was considered a curse or disgrace.

Burial communicates honor, dignity, and hope.

Conclusion

While Scripture does not explicitly forbid cremation, the consistent biblical example, theological symbolism, association of burning with judgment, the truth that mankind bears the image of God, reverence for the body as God’s temple, and the doctrine of resurrection all point toward burial as the practice supported by God’s people. The relocation of Joseph’s bones after death further underscores the enduring respect for the human body and the belief in God’s design for it.

For these reasons, many Christians conclude that cremation does not align with the biblical pattern and therefore should not be practiced by those who seek to follow God’s design.