BURIAL OR CREMATION FOR CHRISTIANS?
A Biblical Pattern for Funerals
By Adrian V. W. Freer
EP Books. 108 pages. £5.99
ISBN 978 1 783 970 254
Adrian Freer helps us think through the matter of whether Christians should be buried or cremated, although at the outset he states: ‘I have become convinced that burial is the correct option for believers.’
Being made in the image of God, bodies are to be treated with dignity and respect and the writer outlines accounts of burial in the Bible leading to the burial of Jesus and the illustration of the resurrection.
No problem
Although we have no specific commands regarding the disposal of our bodies, the Bible speaks only of burial for God’s people and the writer goes on to mention the how and where of burial. He outlines contemporary views of burial and cremation, although some comments regarding cremation may not be quite correct.
W h e t h e r buried or cremated, he does state that ‘neither of the practices is in itself sinful’ and that either practice ‘would have posed no problem for God to resurrect whatever remained.’ God uses fire as a picture of judgment in the Bible.
He is gracious in his submissions and encourages the reader to be persuaded in their own mind and then put their affairs in order. It is surprising how many do not leave clear instructions in their Will regarding their funeral wishes. This often leads to confusion, doubt and tension among families at a very sad and stressful time. We are wise to plan ahead.
