Although the Bible provides instruction and guidance for our lives as God’s children, it is not a textbook for every situation and subject of modern life. However, it does provide principles to follow if we are sincere in our efforts to walk in the truth.

Sometimes, we must dig deep into the Word to find these principles with the help of the Holy Spirit.

A question that pops up frequently in preaching and discussion is the issue of cremation. We must look for answers, not only in what the Bible does not say but, even more important, what it does say.

In my search for the truth, I have yet to read or hear any Bible scholar present what the Bible does say about the burning of bodies.

This way of dealing with the issues that affect us now, i.e., what the Bible does or does not say, is one of the differences between Roman Catholic and non-Roman Catholic teaching and way of interpreting Scripture. In my understanding, these different ways of interpreting Scripture remove or set boundaries around our behaviour as believers. According to this principle, we are free to do anything that the Bible does not specifically address (in Roman Catholic theology) or we do only those things which God’s Word instructs us to do ( in non-RC teaching). We look for the principles in keeping with God’s nature where there is no specific instruction.

Let’s look, for example, at what the Bible says about the popular practice of cremation. Most Bible expositors inadvertently take the Roman Catholic route. Since the Bible does not explicitly forbid cremation, they condone or approve the practice. Accordingly, it is up to the individual to decide on the method of burial.

Although the Bible does not devote a chapter to teaching on cremation, there are principles from which we can glean God’s intention.

The first principle leads us to look at the symbolism Paul uses for human death and burial. He likens our bodies to seed. Few seeds germinate in the fire. Those that do are not destroyed in the fire but released to grow.

Our bodies are like seeds that are sown in the ground when they die. Like the seed that germinates and grows into a new plant, unlike but of the seed that was sown, our bodies will rise again from mortality to immortality, perfect, unlike but of the body that was sown, like the resurrection body of Jesus.

It seems, then, that there are, according to practice, three possible places to be buried – soil, water, or fire, depending on the circumstances. The Bible’s best place is in the earth because it best fits the picture of the seed.

1 Corinthians 15:35-38 NLT
[35] “But someone may ask, “How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?” [36] What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first. [37] And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting. [38] Then God gives it the new body he wants it to have. A different plant grows from each kind of seed.”

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 NLT
[42] “It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. [43] Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. [44] They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.”

The second principle is equally significant.

In the Bible, cremation was reserved for criminals. The Valley of Hinnom, outside Jerusalem, was the city’s garbage dump, burning constantly, like the fires of hell. Criminals were cremated in the rubbish dump of Hinnom, from which the body of Jesus was saved by the intervention of Joseph of Aramathea.

What does God’s word say about the burning of a body?

In Amos 2:1, God judged Moab for burning the body of the king of Edom. Although some translations imply or add the thought of desecration, dishonouring the body, the Hebrew word simply means ‘to burn’.

It seems, then, that the acceptable way to dispose of a dead body was to commit it to the earth. God said to Adam after he sinned,

Genesis 3:19 NKJV
[19] “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, ’til you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”

Cremation has become the disposal of choice because it is cheaper than burial and occupies less space than a grave. However, is this God’s prescribed way, regardless of our considerations?

True, the Bible does not forbid cremation, nor does it say how God will raise the bodies of those who were buried in fire or water. He does say, in Revelation 20:13, “The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead.” No mention of fire. However, it does tell us about His intention for the righteous dead, and what He prescribes for those who defy His holy instructions.

God’s instruction to Joshua when Achan stole goods dedicated to God after the fall of Jerico, is a case in point.

Joshua 7:15, 25 NLT
[15] “The one who has stolen what was set apart for destruction will himself be burned with fire, along with everything he has, for he has broken the covenant of the Lord and has done a horrible thing in Israel.”…
[25] Then Joshua said to Achan, “Why have you brought trouble on us? The Lord will now bring trouble on you.” And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies.”

Fire is the symbol and solemn reminder of the destiny of those who refuse to submit to God’s authority in all things.

Revelation 20:11-15 NLT
[11]”And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. [12] I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. [13] The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. [14] Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. [15] And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.”

We must make the choice and leave our instructions depending on our understanding of Scripture and our commitment to obey the Word.