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Scattering Ashes of a loved one.

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Mary Diana Lynn Harper, Oct 15, 2006.

  1. Mary Diana Lynn Harper

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    I have a real problem with this. My husband was recently creamated. It was not what I wanted but his wishes. I finally scattered his ashes last week. What does the bible say about people and their wishes to be creamated or does it say any thing . My heart is broken but I have let him go. I would of rather him be buried than creamated. :godisgood:
     
  2. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    The physical body is just that, a body. It came from dust and returns to ashes...burial just takes a little longer.

    The memories are what remains in the heart and mind of the survivors. My burial services are the same for ground burials as they are for cremations....a service in behalf of the survivors in memory of the loved one. Cherish these. Either way it is hard on the loved one.

    Many people have feeling similar to yours, but over time they get on with their own life, and there is no difference with ground burial, except the mourning seems to be renewed each time they visit the grave.

    Cheers, and God richly bless you, and give you peace,

    Jim
     
  3. Mary Diana Lynn Harper

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    I understand that but..........

    What does the bible say on creamations or buring the body? does it say anything or does it tell us what is right? :tear:
     
  4. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    The Bible is silent on cremation.
    The Bible is NOT real specific about burial either, not
    giving details.
     
  5. Mary Diana Lynn Harper

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    Thank you

    I did not know if I was overlooking it or if there was a passage on burial or creamation in the bible.
    :flower:
     
  6. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    There are christians everywhere who believe that cremation is a sin and that people who want or choose to be cremated are lost and going to hell.

    They are wrong. What happens to the body in and after death has no bearing on one's spiritual nature.

    I'll try not to be graphic, here, but I can't help it. There was a chemical plant in my area that exploded a several years ago. 7 people were killed. None of them could have an open-casket funeral. In fact, there was no need for a casket........you see, in the explosion, they basically disintegrated.

    The rescue team spent three days looking for any traces of their bodies. They found nothing.....literally nothing. They had to be declared dead without a body. There were no funerals, only memorial services.

    What's the difference in their tragic deaths annihilating their bodies to nothingness and someone choosing to be cremated?

    "Thou shalt not cremate" or any other similar reference is not in the bible.

    I believe the bible in it's truth and holiness and I intend to be cremated, myself. I, personally, see no conflict.

    Besides.....I don't own a burial plot! :laugh:
     
  7. pinoybaptist

    pinoybaptist Active Member
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    There is no Scripture that says "Thou shalt bury thy dead in this manner......", burying the dead has been customary in the Bible.
    The manner of burial varies also.
    There are also no specific prohibitions to cremating anyone.
    Dr. Livingstone (if memory serves me right) said once, "wherever my body turns to dust, there will my Lord raise it up again". Not verbatim, but that was the thought.

    In like manner, you may have cremated your husband, and scattered his ashes, but in the last day, God is able to raise up your husband, as He is able to raise up anyone.

    Peace.
     
  8. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    Many folks have in the past misinterpreted the OT phrase "pass through the fire" for cremation. Example: Manasseh made his son "pass through the fire" (2 Kings 16:3). But that involves human sacrifice to the god Molech, not cremation.

    Others have shunned cremation because some eastern religions practice it Hindus believe that cremation "best releases the soul." However, since other pagan religions practice burial (Islam, for example), we're back to square one.
     
  9. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

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    I go along with the others here-----whether you bury the body or burn it-----what difference does it make??? On Resurrection Day---which will be harder for the Lord Jesus to do????-------raise those who were buried---or gather together individual particles of dust scattered through burning???

    When God gives the word----I'm coming up out of the ground----whether I be in a coffin----or in an Urn---whichever one---when He speaks--I will obey!!!!
     
  10. Gershom

    Gershom Active Member

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    Biblical practice is burial, not cremation.
     
  11. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    What we see recorded in scriptures was burials. However, burial was never "prescribed," and cremation was never condemned. You will find no passage of scripture that does that.

    Sure, Jacob in the OT was buried. But he also had two wives. Let's be careful to not confuse descriptive accounts with prescriptive behavior.
     
  12. Brother Bob

    Brother Bob New Member

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    Very difficult to give a scripture in this case even if you know of one, or at least seems to be one. Has anyone read Amos 2:1
     
  13. Gershom

    Gershom Active Member

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    The biblical practice is burial. If you want to follow biblical principles, then bury your dead. If not, do what you want.
     
  14. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    This was a case of barbarism, even brutality. It's not about burial vs. cremation.

    Apparently the bones of that Edomite king were burned and used as lime would have been used and done so as a purposeful act of cruelty and barbarism.

    This particular Moabite king was really into burning people, too. See 2 Kings 3:26. He also burned his own child as a burnt offering to false gods when being overthrown by the Israelites.

    This passage isn't about cremation as an option for what to do with a corpse after death.
     
  15. Diggin in da Word

    Diggin in da Word New Member

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    From what I read in the Old Testament, it was the pagans who were burned or cremated. God's people were buried.

    Many say that cremation is ok because of Paul's words, 'If I give my body to be burned...', I am not sure if Paul is saying cremation is ok there or not.

    If the Old is a foreshadow of the New, then should we not be buried?

    Unfortunately, in the day and age we live in, many cannot afford to spend 7,000 dollars or more to put their loved one in the ground. That is an awful lot just to bury under the ground.

    Cremation, on the other hand, is less than 1,000 dollars and made more affordable to all.

    My question is, since in the Old Testament God's people were always buried and the pagan were burned, should we be cremated?

    Was Paul speaking of cremation when he stated 'Though I give my body over to be burned...', or was he speaking of martyrdom?
     
  16. Diggin in da Word

    Diggin in da Word New Member

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    Scarlett,

    I am not sure the king was burned while alive there in Amos 2:1.

    Amos recorded that the Edommite king's bones were burned, which would infer the deceased body.
    Seems to be a clear contrast to Paul's statement, 'If I give my body to be burned...'
     
    #16 Diggin in da Word, Oct 16, 2006
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 16, 2006
  17. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Yes, that's what I said. I said that the Edomite king's bones were burnt.

    I said the Moabite king burned his own son alive. :flower:
     
  18. Mary Diana Lynn Harper

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    Well you done it.

    You really got me confused now. When I scattered my husbands ashes as he wished, was I wrong to do so? Will I face condemnation for scattering his ashes?
     
  19. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    not at all. There is no biblical mandate prescribing burial. There is no biblical prohibition of cremation.

    As I said earlier, we know that many of the people of the Bible buried their dead. But that is descriptive...i.e., "Jacob was buried." It does not say anywhere in the Bible that burial is prescribed for people of God...i.e., "You shall bury your dead, cremation is abomination," etc.

    People that say, "folks in the Bible buried their dead; thus we should too" should remember:
    • Men in the OT also had multiple wives. Should we follow everything they do?
    • If we're gonna say, "Do the burial customs of the Bible to be right with God," then we should wrap and embalm the dead ourselves, using spices and cloth strips...and never on Sunday (see how Jesus' body was prepared).
    You did fine doing what you did. God is perfectly able to resurrect your late husband's glorified body in the last day.
     
  20. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

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    God is omnipotent. Knowing this, He'll have no problem raising your husband, no matter where his body is. God bless you sister. I'm praying with you.
     
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