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Cremation (vanity question)
freerepublic.com ^ | 12/26/2011 | Me.

Posted on 12/26/2011 11:52:08 AM PST by Dallas59

Question on Cremation. Does the Bible say anything about it? Is it forbidden?


TOPICS: Moral Issues
KEYWORDS: bigbucksfunerals; cremation; funerals; interment; inurnment
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To: Dallas59

Many don’t care for the symbolism.

Others refer to Jewish religious requirements specifying burial, since Christianity did arise out of Judaism.

Me, I’ll be buried facing east in the old family cemetery alongside all the family I’ve known and loved. The cost has gotten truly excessive though.

Reversion back to the simple, quick Jewish burial in a pine box would nip a great deal of that cost in the bud, but then there’s the vault required by law in many jurisdictions, that is pushing $2,000 by itself, regardless of whether there is embalming and a nice casket or not.

So, I guess I’d say I don’t really like the practice, wouldn’t do it myself, would be uncomfortable if anyone I loved chose to be cremated, but won’t condemn someone else who chooses it, due to the cost of traditional burial or some other consideration.

I don’t see that it is forbidden or condemned, Biblically. It does make me uneasy, though.


21 posted on 12/26/2011 12:08:09 PM PST by RegulatorCountry
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To: Dallas59

The Catholic Church used to forbid it, but they no longer do so. My mother had a grave plot reserved for her in a small cemetery near her house, and that cemetery required cremation and burial in an urn. So that’s what we did, and no problem bringing the ashes to her funeral Mass and then to the cemetery.

The presumption is that when the body is resurrected on the last day, God will be able to piece it together again. The important thing is that it should be treated with respect.

If you have any questions, perhaps you should talk to your local minister.


22 posted on 12/26/2011 12:08:09 PM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: Dallas59

Nothing wrong with it in the bible. Some Christian traditions have tended to avoid it in order to avoid having survivors fear that the flames were eternal. Also, may have been avoided in order to create a greater distinction between a Christian burial and that of the pagans who commonly practiced cremation, but pagans also bury their dead so, some similarities between Christians and pagans are unavoidable.


23 posted on 12/26/2011 12:09:20 PM PST by fso301
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To: cantfindagoodscreenname
Other than fire is alway used as a picture of cleansing, and it was used in pagan sacrifices, there doesn't seem to be any biblical stand on cremation.
24 posted on 12/26/2011 12:10:30 PM PST by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true)
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To: mylife

There’s a place that will do it for $675.00 in New Caney.

The have a sign out front of the place advertising specials.


25 posted on 12/26/2011 12:11:26 PM PST by humblegunner (The kinder, gentler version...)
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To: mylife

I prefer the idea of being buried in a canvas sack and having an apple tree planted overhead.


26 posted on 12/26/2011 12:11:44 PM PST by WorkingClassFilth (Soon to be a man without a country.)
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To: Dallas59
My parish priest announced that people should not ask him to preside over cremations because he won't do it.

The Catholic Church is against cremation, I don't know about any protestant objections to the practice, although I feel sure some denominations are against it. The Bible doesn't mention it as far as I know.

27 posted on 12/26/2011 12:11:50 PM PST by NakedRampage (Puttin' the "stud" in Bible study)
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To: narses

My mother was cremated, I’m sorry to say. My father kept her ashes for a year, and then had them buried.


28 posted on 12/26/2011 12:12:14 PM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: Dallas59

My grandmother was a devout catholic...and had a catholic mass funeral. She was cremated; but, as others on this thread have pointed out, the urn was buried. I am not positive, but I believe she chose cremation, so she could be buried alongside her late husband (no room for a coffin). The cemetary even had a permanent altar and benches, with a spot for the urn to go - for a ‘graveside’ service. I was surprised that the catholic church dealt with cremation, but it apparently does.


29 posted on 12/26/2011 12:12:28 PM PST by lacrew (Mr. Soetoro, we regret to inform you that your race card is over the credit limit.)
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To: Yo-Yo
Not that I know of in the Bible, but I know the Catholic Church sure frowns on the practice.

I wonder how much of that frowning was based on the fact the Church tended to be the only owner of cemeteries, back in the day - and is still a major owner of cemeteries world-wide?

30 posted on 12/26/2011 12:12:42 PM PST by FromTheSidelines ("everything that deceives, also enchants" - Plato)
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To: Blood of Tyrants; mylife
like pepper

more like manure

...wait till you get a taste of me...

....these tomatoes taste like sh..

And if you really cared couldn't they BBQ instead???

31 posted on 12/26/2011 12:13:54 PM PST by bigheadfred
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To: mylife
All are to be respected.Wow, some actual sanity. Good post.
32 posted on 12/26/2011 12:14:47 PM PST by Wallop the Cat
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To: ozaukeemom

Remember?
I love Bob!

Yes, I remember.
I have talked to Kejit and Frank on a few occasions since his passing.


33 posted on 12/26/2011 12:14:59 PM PST by mylife (The Roar Of The Masses Could Be Farts)
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To: Dallas59

According to the Koran cremation is OK for infidels .... and they don’t even have to be dead yet.


34 posted on 12/26/2011 12:15:18 PM PST by layman (Card Carrying Infidel)
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To: mylife

when my father passed away a few years ago he was cremate- after he donated his skin and whatever other organs were usable...

after the funeral and before they buried the urn my sister from California (we live in NY) takes a bag to put some of the ashes in to take with her- not my cup of tea...

laughingly my aunt says to my sister “when we all rise up from the dead from our ashes your father’s going to be missing a thumb and two pinkie fingers because your taking his ashes”...it was pretty funny actually...


35 posted on 12/26/2011 12:16:05 PM PST by God luvs America (63.5million pay no federal income tax then vote demoKrat)
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To: bigheadfred

Lol..


36 posted on 12/26/2011 12:16:38 PM PST by Dallas59 (President Robert Gibbs 2009-2011)
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To: mylife

Excellent. He certainly opened my eyes about a lot of things.


37 posted on 12/26/2011 12:16:59 PM PST by ozaukeemom (Is it 2012 yet?)
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To: humblegunner
The have a sign out front of the place advertising specials.

Group rates?

38 posted on 12/26/2011 12:17:20 PM PST by bigheadfred
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To: FromTheSidelines
I wonder how much of that frowning was based on the fact the Church tended to be the only owner of cemeteries, back in the day - and is still a major owner of cemeteries world-wide?
There is always time for uninformed bigotry, even at Christmas.
39 posted on 12/26/2011 12:17:25 PM PST by narses
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To: mylife

My wife and I were kayaking early one day in one of the creeks off the Chesapeake Bay. We came across a trail of what looked like red petals floating on the water and paddled closer to shore. Moments later We were both showered with dust and we looked up to see this party of well dressed people in a dock overhead looking at us with sheer panic in their faces. We coughed and paddled furiously away.

Note to self: Look before dropping grandpa’s ashes.


40 posted on 12/26/2011 12:17:34 PM PST by battlecry
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