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Burial or Cremation
– does it matter?
Donald Howard, Banner of Truth,
2001, 32p
Review by rev. John Westendorp
Like most pastors I have officiated at both burials
and cremations. I have also been asked from time to time whether it is
okay for Christians to be cremated. Cremations were usually of people
who had only loose connections with the church. Those of reformed
persuasion felt that there was something to be said for being laid to
rest in the earth – just as our Lord was buried. Cremation has always
raised some doubts for us – is that really kosher for Christians?
Today many see cremation as ‘neater’ and less traumatic – we are not
left watching the mortal remains lowered into a yawning grave, instead a
curtain simply closes on the life that once was.
Donald Howard has done Christians a service by highlighting the issues
and giving some good reasons why Christians should continue to prefer
burial. I was particularly taken by his final image. He relates how the
patriarchs laid their loved ones to rest in a grave in Canaan as an act
of faith when as yet they owned none of the land – except for that
solitary burial plot. They were laid there as a testimony to their faith
that the whole land would one day be theirs. So “every body put into
this earth is a new invasion of Satan’s present dominion declaring that
Christ is coming to claim the earth for His Church.”
This booklet not only discusses the issue of burial versus cremation, it
also assesses some of our present funeral practices to see how Christian
they really are. A helpful little booklet!
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