1. Is cremation a sin?

2. Burial in cave or ground
How We Treat the Dead
Burial in cave or ground

5. Indian Mounds at Pinson, TN

7. Methods of dealing with the dead
2. mummification—Jacob & Joseph— Gen. 50:2, 3, 24-26; Heb. 11:22

12. Nablus, pop. 50,000

14. After Desecration by Palestinians

15. 3. Burial at sea-Rev. 20:13

16. Methods of dealing with the dead
4. Sky Burial— Native Americans & Buddhists

20. Suttee/Sati
Hindu practice
Outlawed in 19th Century
Encouraging Sati outlawed 1988

23. Instances of cremation
King Saul/Sons (1 Sam. 31:12-13)
Edomite king (Amos 2:1-3)
Achan & family (Josh. 7:15, 25)

24. Instances of cremation
Pagan priests in Judah (2 Kings 23:20)
Hypothetical martyrdom (1 Cor. 13:3)

25. Arguments against cremation
Pagan origins
Jews buried their dead
Christians followed jewish practice
Burial shows respect for body
Body will be raised

26. Arguments for cremation
stewardship ($8k-$10K for burial vs. $1700 cremation); crowded cemeteries; Land ecology
Fire does in few minutes what nature does in years

27. Arguments for cremation
Simple, purifying process
Ashes in container/urn—easy remembrance

28. Arguments for cremation
No biblical command how to treat the dead
Respectful, Truthful, & hopeful

29. Christian viewpoint Body is god’s creation
Jesus became flesh; body was hallowed by him
Holy Spirit indwells christian’s body
Materials that made body will be raised-1 Cor. 15:50-57; Rev. 20:13

32. Lk. 18:16-17