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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The Bible does not give any specific teaching about cremation. There are occurrences in the Old Testament of people being burned to death (1 Kings 16:18; 2 Kings 21:6) and of human bones being burn...
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Norma Larkin
This more than an answer is what I believe for my self. I wrote a will and my wish was to be cremated, because I feel that it is less costly for my family, but also the fire purified. I wrote that if any of my organs could be useful to other human being by owe means pass them out, and them cremate me. I don't believe on bury me, and go and pray to and empty box so do speaking when my soul is in heaven, and also is prolonging the pain that they must have. After all God is going to resurrect my body no matter what! I'm sorry if any of you disagree with my opinion! God Bless you.
CYNTHIA WATTS
After working as a Paralegal for more than 20 years, being a Christian, and interviewing hundreds of clients in order to prepare their Last Will and Testament, I have heard Many people who truly believe cremation to be a sin; I've heard just as many who believe the opposite! One thing that I learned was that families are going to fight over anything they can once you pass. I have honestly not seen one single case in (now 31 years) where there wasn't a fight over something! A Preacher that I love and admire told me 26 years ago that "we came from dust and to dust we shall return"! I was getting ready to give birth to my first child and was, at that time, preparing my Will. I wanted it to be Bullet-proof so that there COULD NOT be a fight amongst family members over MY wishes! That is one of the few times that knowing "man's law" was a blessing! Granted, it made for a lengthy document, but when I leave this earth, I can be at peace with the fact that I ALONE have made every possible decision regarding healthcare, and death! I suppose they can be angry with me! Should there be any organs that can benefit another life, then by all means, that would be an honor! Should I become comatose and 3 doctors prove there is no brain activity, then I am to be removed from life support. I am to be cremated and the directions with what can and can't be done with the ashes will be attached as an Addendum to my Will. I have had two odd questions put to me by my children as of late regarding "my ashes"! I am still praying about that! I am grateful that my grandchildren are too young to have seriously crazy requests regarding my remains! It's TRULY disturbing to learn how people will prey on grieving family members. In my heart and soul, I do not believe that my only choice is burial. Several scriptures lead me to believe that I am correct! However, I am Always open to anyone with a strong belief either way. Thank you for your time! Blessed Be!
Kelly Yochum
To all: This is a question I have struggled with for years, as my wife has the desire to be cremated. I have prayed, searched Scripture, and prayed more. The following is my opinion, backed by what little Scripture is relevant; If we worry about it being cursed, Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Galatians 3:13 KJV I wonder in past times, how many true Christian's have been crucified wrongly, or hung in execution? Do we really believe GOD would say "Well, they almost made it?" As for cremation; Consider this; How many Christians do you imagine have been, in past wars, at the epicenter of where a bomb exploded? I promise their body was not just burned, it was vaporized. Do we really Believe GOD says "Well, they almost made it?" Lastly is the most important Answer; I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:14, 22-23 KJV In Christ, Kelly Yochum
Gisela Reeder
The Bible does not mention cremation and Jesus was not actually buried, his body was wrapped in linen cloth and laid in a tomb. Jesus was not buried under ground as is the practice today. Whether a body is cremated or buried, our bodies return to dust. We are saved by the grace of God, not by the way in which our bodies are disposed. It's best to not judge those who are cremated as you do not know their circumstances.
Dorcas Sitali
Reading the bible from genesis to revelation, even Abraham to Jesus non were cremated so that tells me something. Burning to ashes of a person can signify sacrifice to something I think and God doesn't like that.
Ricky Lawwill
There has been issue for years concerning creation. Even though the Bible is not clear on the subject there is something to examine and consider. The Bible seems to be clear when Abraham is to offer sacrifice. God is the one who instructs Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. Even though Abraham doesn’t offer Isaac as a sacrifice it is God who instructs Abraham to offer his son as a burnt offering. For God to give such instruction leaves me to think that God doesn’t have as much trouble with cremation as men do. See Genesis 22:1-19.
Jack Gutknecht
No matter which burial practices one follows, the results are always the same: “Dust to dust, ashes to ashes." Job reiterated the final disposition of the body in Job 34:14-15: “If it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath, all mankind would perish together and man would return to the dust." “Dust to dust, ashes to ashes” Source: This phrase has its origins in Genesis 3:19 and Genesis 18:27 of the King James Version of the Bible Meaning: the final ending, as with death or the collapse of an enterprise. But the verse I am most familiar with as a former pastor who performed a few funerals, is Ecclesiastes 12:7. "then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it." It came in handy and was and still is timely. I think I had a biology professor, around 1966-68, Professor Stahnke, of Arizona State University, who said, "DUST TO DUST BUT NOT A MUST." And then he tried to refute the Bible's claim. But it's still true. Dr. Stahnke also brought a live rattlesnake to class one day, set it on top of his huge desk, let it slither around a minute or two while he said a few words about the poisonous viper, caught it, and put it back into its cage. And this wasn’t one of the reasons really why I took the course. Fortunately, I was NOT sitting in the front row; I didn’t want it to spit any venom out anywhere! (In all fairness, Dr. Stahnke may have become a Christian right after I did and had left ASU after 2 years. He joined Grace Community Church in Tempe, AZ, where ASU is located.) My wife and I have agreed that we both want to be cremated. I don't believe the Bible speaks directly as to the mode of burial. So it's our choice.
Ian Cowan
But Jesus told him, "Follow Me, and let the [spiritually] dead bury their own [physically] dead" - Mt. 8:22 Arguing about this is, at best, spiritually unfruitful and unedifying.
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