Expert: Scott Talbot - 8/28/2007

Question
QUESTION: Does it say in the Bible, that we have to be buried, and not cremated? If so, what are the references?

ANSWER: Hi Allison,

It's nice to hear from you.

No, the Bible does not tell us that we have to be buried and not cremated. There is nothing wrong with cremation.

Scott

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Okay, thank you for answering that question. But here's another one, Doesn't it say that we are to be like Christ, in Mind, Body and Spirit? Therefore, is that really asking us to be buried? Or at least giving us the impression of that?

Answer
Hi Allison,

Our quest to become like Christ involves mimicing His character. There is nothing about the way He was buried that involves His character. In fact, it appears as though Jesus had no say in the way His body was handled after His death.

One day, each believer will receive a resurrection body. Some wonder how God can create this body if the original body has been cremated. The same question can be asked if someone was eaten by a wild animal, burned in a fire, or if their body decomposed over time. Whether God gathers together the original atoms that formed that body, or whether He recreates it from scratch using our unique DNA, He will be able to create a resurrection body for each one of us. Cremation will not hinder Him in accomplishing this.

I hope this helps.

Scott