Cremation – the burning of a body after death – has become quite popular over the last few decades. In 2023, the rate of cremation in the United States (60.6%) actually surpassed that of burial (33.2%). By the year 2045, the National Funeral Directors Association predicts the cremation rate will reach 81.4%, with only 16% of Americans choosing traditional burial. Unlike most other Christian confessions, the Orthodox Church categorically rejects cremation. Ultimately, Orthodox Christians can still exercise their free will and choose to be cremated; however, the Church’s official position on the matter is firm.
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Why is cremation so popular?
Today we live in a society that promotes disposal. Whatever we buy or purchase we can easily replace when it breaks or has served its purpose. The human body is just another one of those things we can easily dispose of once it has “served its purpose”. Our society no longer treats material creation – most importantly, the human body – with respect, even by those who call themselves Christians.
Cost is the number one reason why most people choose cremation over traditional burial, with cremation being about $2,000 cheaper on average. However, it’s important to note that these numbers are reported on average. Depending on the services you select and/or forgo, you could end up paying less money for a traditional burial than you would a cremation. Regardless, cost should never be the main thing on one’s mind after the death of a loved one. If you or your family do find yourselves in a difficult financial situation, consult your priest.
Another reason cremation is so popular is because of its supposed eco-friendliness. Unfortunately, the process of cremation itself is anything but. Every cremation burns a significant amount of fossil fuels (diesel fuel, propane, and natural gas) in order to make the furnace hot enough to burn up most of the body. These fossil fuels release harmful chemicals like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrofluoric acid, and mercury into the atmosphere.
The pagan and gnostic origins of cremation
Byzantine Canon Law, which the Orthodox Church firmly upholds, forbids cremation. Historical sources hint to the original ban on cremation arising due to its common practice in pagan and gnostic societies. God commanded the Old Testament Israelites not to adopt the values, beliefs, and practices of the pagan societies around them, which included cremation of the dead. Thus, the Israelites buried their dead after preparing the body. They closed the eyes (Gen. 46:4); washed the body (Acts 9:37); draped a cloth over the face (Jn. 11:44); anointed the body with spices (Lk. 23:56; 24:1; Jn. 19:40) and wrapped it with linens (Mt. 27:59; Mk. 15:45; Lk. 23:53; Jn. 19:39-40).
Historically within Judaism, cremation was only for punishment and humiliation (Joshua 7:15; Lev. 21:9; 20:14) and was considered an instrument of God’s wrath and destruction. Perhaps the most well-known example of this is the burning of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:24).
During the 1st century, early Christianity saw the birth of an heretical movement known as Gnosticism. This movement denied the value of physical creation and its involvement in our salvation. They (and many other heretical groups like them) viewed the body as evil by design; they believed that our souls were held prisoner within our bodies until we depart this life. In their view, the body is basically useless after death and effectively disposed of. Early Christians distinguished themselves from this heresy by burying the bodies of the early martyrs in the same manner as the Lord Himself, treating their bodies with the utmost respect. Modern Orthodox Christians continue to reject cremation because it distinguishes us from the hedonistic, secular society that has made cremation trendy and acceptable.
Orthodox teaching: The body as a temple
The Orthodox Church believes that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20) and is therefore holy. Our bodies are gifts from God that we must always treat with dignity, reverence, and care. Any act that deliberately defiles the body (e.g. tattoos, sexual reassignment surgery, cremation, suicide) is not acceptable to the Church.
Related: Can Orthodox Christians Donate Organs?
Not only do the Orthodox revere the body, but we also acknowledge the part our physical bodies play in our salvation. Our bodies are just as valuable as our souls. According to Holy Tradition and Scripture, we will be resurrected in our physical bodies at the Second Coming of Our Lord. We must take care of our bodies, feeding them properly, getting adequate rest, and healing them with the Holy Mysteries.
Today, many Western Christians now allow cremation, in light of the fact that its association with paganism or Gnosticism is no longer a reality. However, the Orthodox Church asserts that voluntary cremation, regardless of its detachment from pagan thought or ritual, in every instance denies the value of the human body and of material creation in general. Hence, we as Orthodox Christians are to avoid it.
Can an Orthodox Christian choose cremation?
Put simply, yes Orthodox Christians can choose to be cremated. Because we all have the free will to make whatever choices we want to make. However, that does not mean the Church sanctions or approves of those choices. Should an Orthodox Christian willingly choose cremation, that person would not receive an Orthodox funeral service. In some cases, the Church may even permanently exclude them from liturgical prayers for the departed. Because the Orthodox Church’s rejection of cremation ties in so intimately with our understanding of salvation and the sanctity of the body, cremation renders the funeral service and prayers for the departed meaningless.
Sometimes cremation is unavoidable. And this is okay.
Naturally, the Church recognizes that there are certain circumstances that may necessitate cremation. And in those situations, She will not condemn those who must be cremated against their will. Here are just a few scenarios in which this might be the case:
- The family of the deceased has him/her cremated against his/her wishes
- Civil authorities require cremation upon death
- Manner of death completely destroys the body
Intent clearly matters here. If an Orthodox Christian, while clearly understanding the sanctity of the body and its role in our salvation, still actively chose to have his or her body cremated, he or she would be acting in opposition to Church teaching. If the manner of one’s death necessitates cremation, or the body is lost entirely, exceptions can be made upon approval of the bishop.
Conclusion
Orthodox Christians should reject voluntary cremation, in accordance with the Church’s teachings about the sanctity of the human body and its role in our salvation. Cremation treats the body violently, without the respect due to it as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Those who voluntarily request cremation upon death will not receive an Orthodox funeral or burial. However, the Church recognizes extenuating circumstances and will not condemn or deny funeral rites to any who must be cremated in these situations.
Even if cremation might seem cheaper and more popular than traditional burial, this should not be our primary concern. Rather, our salvation and the state of our souls and bodies should always be at the forefront of our minds.
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5 Responses
My father was a devout Christian and was cremated by his family as we didn’t know his wishes at the time. At the time I was not a Christian but now am. I was not aware of this at the time. It was not his choice at all I see that the church makes exceptions for not having a choice. I’m just wondering what will happen to him at the time of resurrection? I like to believe God the almighty can bring ashes back together he is all powerful. I repent for allowing this to happen to him and feel horrible. What can I do for my father’s soul?
Krystal,
Christ is in our midst! We are saddened to hear of this circumstance, but are filled with joy to see your repentance. The Lord sees that repentance as well, and He is merciful. Therefore, though we cannot know for certain what will happen, we have faith in His kindness and mercy. What you can do for him now is to pray for him. In Orthodoxy, there are beautiful prayers we say for the departed. Here is a simple one that you can say every morning/evening along with your other prayers. God bless you.
Pray for him and his soul and his body restoration, and pray for Jesus and the Father for mercy. Pray to Saint Urpasianus for his intercession – for he was burned to ashes and separated across the ocean. He bore that cross.
God created the universe – how could we dare say that He cannot raise the dead from their ashes?
The church is wise, the church will never claim who is and who is not saved. The church is not saying that your father’s soul is in danger; as far as the church is concerned, we are all sinners and we are all in danger. God loves man and Jesus wishes for everyone to live.
God bless you.
Once the Holy Spirit has left the body the corpse is like a desolate and ruined church. Just because, in life, it was the image of Christ, should we permit the indignities it is subject to by undertakers? We burn Holy Icons and vestments when they are defaced and beyond repair. Cremation is returning the body to dust and ashes which is implicitly sanctioned in the Old testament (Gen. 3;19). Bones are dug up sometimes hundreds of thousands of years after burial! Should the image of Christ be subject to decay, eaten by vermin, poison God’s earth, and bankrupt families? I think not.
Terence,
Christ is in our midst! Thank you for your comment. To what “indignities” are you specifically referring? Indeed, we burn holy objects. But they are mere objects. They do not possess a body and soul. Genesis 3:19 is in no way a sanction for cremation; such a practice was common in pagan societies – burning dead bodies. The Lord set the ancient Israelites apart in that regard, commanding them to care for their dead and bury them with dignity. The trauma a body undergoes in order to be cremated is more of an indignity that being prepared for burial. It is actually quite brutal, what must be done.
We do agree that the digging up of one’s bones for archaeological pursuits is morally questionable; however, there is no official position on this within the Orthodox Church. God bless!