Religious Perspective
Though Christianity was founded on the traditional beliefs of Judaism, some of its fundamental beliefs directly oppose those of its parent religion. One such belief is cremation; according to the Catholic Church, which is the largest Christian denomination, the only means of disposal of a person’s remains is through a dignified burial. In fact, the Church strongly discourages cremation and suggests no form of memorial or commemoration ceremony that follows it.
For Evangelicals, cremation is frowned upon; some even consider it to be a sin. The reason for this is that it is not considered to be in line with the Christian belief on bodily resurrection. According to some Christian denominations, cremation is a form of denying the resurrection of the body. On the flip side, some Protestant denominations, such as the United Church of Christ, have softened their stance on the issue, allowing for cremation as an option for believers.
Economic Factors
The escalating cost of maintaining funeral home services and burial services has opened a shift towards cremation, which can cost far less financially. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the average cost of a funeral with burial services is over $7,000, and a standard cremation with a memorial service costs around $3,000. With these figures in mind, cremation is becoming more economically practical for individuals and their families.
For many families who cannot afford the costly burial expenses, cremation offers an affordable alternative. The savings associated with cremation are primarily due to the elimination of such expenses such as embalming, grave-related items, and the services of a funeral director.
Furthermore, cremation can enable individuals to make arrangements with far greater convenience, with some locations offering same-day cremation services. It can also save time on funerals, allowing for family members to organize memorial services at more convenience.
Environmental Impact
When assessing cremation from an environmental perspective, one of the biggest benefits is that it does not require a large plot of land to serve as a burial plot. Cremation is known to be comparatively greener than traditional burials; it causes fewer emissions and reduces the amount of land being used.
In the same vein, multiple bodies can be cremated in one operation, saving not just land but also energy, since it requires fewer cremations to take care of funerary services when many bodies are present. The lack of environmental-damage associated with the process of crematio is becoming increasingly more important for people when it comes to their burial decisions.
Public Perception
In recent times, cremation’s public perception has changed significantly. Many people, who have not formally practiced religion for centuries, have expressed a preference for cremation instead of burial. People living farther from traditional burial spaces may not have anywhere to bury family members and may be more comfortable with the convenience of a cremation service.
However, many individuals still feel uncomfortable cremating the bodies of their loved ones. Cremation may be seen as irreverent or psychologically challenging, or even as a direct violation of religion’s commandment. Lately, public opinion on cremation has been slowly getting closer to neutral, but there may still be some stigma associated with it.
Regional Customs and Practices
Cultural practices and customs also dictate whether or not cremation is allowed in particular regions. For instance, in parts of Europe and Asia, cremation is a normal form of body disposal, practiced for thousands of years. In many Middle Eastern and some African regions, burial is highly recommended by religious authorities and cremation is completely avoided.
In America, cremation is gaining widespread acceptance and is increasingly used in place of traditional burials; in 2020, cremation was the preferred form of body disposition among around 80% of Americans.
Rites and Rituals
Various Christian religions have different views on funeral rituals and rites when it comes to cremation. Many denominations put an emphasis on funeral rites, insisting that families should have some kind of ceremony or service to pay their respects, even when opting for cremation.
For some, funeral services should still be held, where prayers and psalms are recited, but those that advocate cremation usually insist that this should take place before the cremation itself.
In some cases, cremated remains may be put in an urn and then interred in a grave or mausoleum, and for that, services may still be held, albeit with fewer people present. Some Protestant denominations also allow for the scattering of ashes, which leads to make them more accessible for individuals who do not have access to a cemetery.
Legislation and Government Policies
Rising popularity of cremation has motivated many countries to develop laws and regulations related to it. In the United States, various laws and regulations are in place that serve to ensure proper and respectful dispersal of cremated remains. Before an official cremation can be carried out, a death certificate needs to be issued, and the remains will be held by the crematorium until such a document is provided.
Furthermore, certain states in the US disallow the scattering of ashes, while other states have restrictions on how and where cremated remains can be dispersed. There are also laws that empower local councils to supervise crematoria and graves to ensure that they are kept up to the required standard and pose no threat to the environment.
Communication
Sometimes, the decision to be cremated is made by an individual prior to passing away, but when the deceased has not discussed prior wishes, this decision may be left to the family. Consequently, communication over the matter is often a difficult one, to say the least.
When an individual has expressed that he/she wants to be cremated, it is important to spread the news among family and friends. This is especially true if the individual belongs to a particular group with traditions or beliefs surrounding burial. There are certain Christian denominations, who, while they are not opposed to cremation, would still prefer a traditional burial. In such cases, it is important to discuss the matter with those who would be close to the deceased in order to ensure that nothing is done that would be against the individual’s religious beliefs or traditions.
Estate Planning
In some cases, families can avoid all the hassle related to communication by engaging in estate planning. Estate planning involves designing a plan on how an individual’s assets will be distributed and settled upon death, in a way that complies with the law and expresses the individual’s wishes.
When it comes to cremation, it is possible to include what are called ‘final arrangements’, also known as funeral and burial pre-plans, into the estate plan. Such arrangements can include anything from religious and cultural preferences to funeral and burial plans, including whether cremation is the preferred choice. Having such plan in place can help ensure that the individual’s wishes are followed, even after his/her death.
Conclusion
When it comes to the issue of cremation, many Christian denominations still prefer a traditional burial service over cremation. However, there are those who recognize cremation as an acceptable alternative, especially in light of the growing cost of funeral services and environmental implications.
It is important to determine whether cremation goes in line with the individual’s religious beliefs, as well as his/her cultural and regional customs, before making a decision. Some individuals may prefer to have their wishes expressed in an official estate plan, which would prevent potential confusion and disagreements after their death.
