what religions do not allow cremation

Which Religions Do Not Cremate?

• Islam Of the religions on this list, Islam is probably the strongest opposed to cremation. ...
• Eastern Orthodox Catholicism (Greek and Russian) Eastern Orthodox churches strongly oppose cremation. ...
• Judaism Orthodox and Conservative Judaism strongly oppose cremation, citing that a traditional burial is the only acceptable option. ...

Full Answer

Are there any religions that prohibit cremation?

The religions that explicitly prohibit cremation. Judaism - Jewish law ("Halachah") is unequivocal that the dead must be buried in the earth. This is expressed in the words that God tells Adam, the first man. "For dust you are, and to dust you will return. Fundamentalist Christians - for exactly the same reason as Jews and belief in Physical resurrection.

Which religions allow cremation?

the Eastern religions (i.e., Dharmic faiths) such as Hinduism and Buddhism. mandate the use of cremation. However, two exceptions to cremation apply in. Hinduism. For example, monks, Hijras, and children under five are buried. In. Sikhism, burial is not prohibited although cremation is the preferred option.

Is cremation accepted in top three religions?

While cremation is not preferred among most Christians, it isn't entirely a forbidden practice. Catholicism. Protestantism. Greek Orthodox. Judaism. Muslim. Buddhism. Hinduism. Click to see full answer. Similarly, what religions do not believe in cremation?

What do world religions practice cremation?

Turning to the religious aspect, cremation is customary in both Hinduism and Buddhism, religions that believe the dead person will be reborn into different human bodies or other species over countless lives.

Can all religions be cremated?

In fact, Hinduism is the only religion that mandates cremation, which is known as antim sanskar, or last rites. It is usually performed within 24 hours of death or as soon as possible, due to the fact that Hinduism also doesn't traditionally use embalming or other preservation tactics.

Can Jews be cremated?

If a person chooses to be cremated, most Reform Jewish cemeteries today will allow their remains to be buried in Jewish cemeteries, although often they stipulate that the cremains must still be buried in a coffin. Jews may choose cremation for a variety of reasons, including cost and travel concerns.

Is cremation forbidden in Christianity?

"The Church raises no doctrinal objections to this practice, since cremation of the deceased's body does not affect his or her soul, nor does it prevent God, in his omnipotence, from raising up the deceased body to new life." Even bodies buried traditionally eventually decompose.

What church does not believe in cremation?

Eastern Orthodox Catholicism (Greek and Russian) Eastern Orthodox churches strongly oppose cremation. This is because these orthodox religions associate cremation with a deliberate desecration of the body. These churches prefer the natural decomposition of a traditional burial.

Can Catholics be cremated?

Although the Catholic Church prefers in-ground burial or entombment of a deceased person's body, cremation of the body prior to burial is allowed within the confines of the religion.

Why is cremation not allowed in Catholicism?

Cremation does not “prevent God, in his omnipotence, from raising up the deceased body to new life,” the Vatican says, but it does raise the possibility that the deceased's body, which the church believes is sacred, will not be properly respected by ancestors and relatives.

Can you go to heaven if you are cremated?

No matter what a person's preference is, from the Christian perspective, cremation does not prevent one from going to Heaven. So there's no need to worry, if God can create life from dust, surely he can restore life from ashes.

Does the Bible reject cremation?

The Bible neither favors nor forbids the process of cremation. Nevertheless, many Christians believe that their bodies would be ineligible for resurrection if they are cremated. This argument, though, is refuted by others on the basis of the fact that the body still decomposes over time after burial.

What does God say about cremation?

New Testament Since the Bible does not ban nor promote cremation, most Christian denominations do not consider cremation to be sinful.

Do Baptists believe in cremation?

Cremation. There is no ban on cremation for members of the Baptist faith, and cremation may take place either before or after the funeral service.

Can Mormons be cremated?

That said, the Mormon faith does not prohibit cremation, it simply discourages it, and cremation is not seen as a hindrance to the ultimate resurrection of the body. Mormons who have been cremated can still receive a Mormon funeral service as well.

Why do they open the window when someone dies?

Opening the window after someone dies is a tradition that hasn't died out. All over the world many nurses and families abide by this practice. It is said the souls of ancestors gather at the time of death of a family member and, regardless, this aids the soul transitioning to the next world.

Do Seventh Day Adventist believe in cremation?

When it comes to funeral and burial services (Seventh-day Adventists can be buried or cremated), Christian traditions are followed. This includes music, prayer, a reading of the obituary, a reading from Scripture, a short sermon, and a benediction.

Why do Orthodox Christians not believe in cremation?

For decades the Greek Orthodox Church had strongly opposed cremation, saying the body is God's creation and cannot be burned.

Which religion is the strongest against cremation?

Of the religions on this list, Islam is probably the strongest opposed to cremation. They believe the body should be treated with equal respect before and after death. Cremation is considered a form of bodily mutilation and, therefore, an unclean practice.

Why do Eastern Orthodox churches oppose cremation?

Eastern Orthodox churches strongly oppose cremation. This is because these orthodox religions associate cremation with a deliberate desecration of the body. These churches prefer the natural decomposition of a traditional burial.

Why do Buddhists prefer cremation?

Many Buddhists prefer cremation because Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, was cremated.

Where do Hindus dispose of their ashes?

In India, many Hindus will dispose of the cremated remains in the Ganges River. For those believers outside of India, many will send the ashes to be dispersed in the Ganges, or they will use a nearby river as an acceptable substitute.

Do Latter Day Saints believe in the resurrection?

Like Catholics, Latter-day Saints have a high regard for the resurrection and believe the body and spirit have an eterna l connection. Because of this, Latter-day Saints are advised against cremation unless the local law requires it.

Can Muslims be cremated?

Muslims are forbidden from participating in cremation in any way, which includes witnessing the event or even approving of it. Rather than cremation, Islam dictates the deceased be buried as quickly as possible, preferably within 24 hours of the time of death.

Do Catholics believe in cremation?

In the past, Catholic officials were strongly opposed to cremation. Catholics, in line with their belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, believe that the body and soul have an eternal future. Therefore, the body must be respected after death.

Which religions prohibit cremation?

1. Islam. Islam strictly prohibits its followers from cremating the remains of a Muslim. Of all the religions, Islam is one that most strictly opposes cremation. Even though there is a little bit of flexibility regarding cremation in other Abrahamic faiths such as Judaism and Christianity, there is no room for cremation in Islam.

Why do Hindus believe cremation helps the soul?

Hindus believe that cremation helps the soul in getting closer to Mukti.

Why do people get cremated?

There are several reasons why people get cremated. Religious views shape the way they approach burial traditions such as cremation. Hopefully after reading this article, you have gained enough knowledge to understand which religions cremate their dead and which have laws that prohibit it.

What is the ultimate act of compassion in which even your remains are of use to birds and animals?

Early in the third century, forest burials were in practice, which was followed by mummification and then sky burials. Sky burial is seen as the ultimate act of compassion in which even your remains are of use to birds and animals. This is still followed by quite a few Tibetans.

Can you get cremated in the Anglican Church?

Anglican Church doesn’t forbid cremation, and you can get the body cremated before or after the funeral. In the Baptist faith, there is no ban on cremation either.

Where are the bodies buried in Islamic funerals?

In an Islamic funeral, the physical remains are buried in the graveyard after the funeral prayers have been performed.

Can a cremated body be scattered?

The cremated remains can be kept by the family, or they can be scattered. In Hinduism, the belief is that the soul itself is inherently pure. However, the soul needs a vessel, i.e., the body, to live in.

Which religion is against cremation?

Of all world religions, Islam is probably the most strongly opposed to cremation. Unlike Judaism and Christianity, there is little diversity of opinion about it. Cremation is considered by Islam to be an unclean practice. Muslims are forbidden to take part in the act of cremation in any way, including witnessing the event or even stating approval of it. This disapproval is based on beliefs that the body after death should be treated with the same respect as it was in life, the belief that some part of the body may be necessary for resurrection, and the belief that the body is required for mourning as a reminder that death comes to all.

What religions have changed American customs?

Immigration from parts of the world where other religions, such as Islam and Hinduism have resulted in some changes to American customs. Yet this is probably not the most important factor. American’s attitudes about religion and the role it plays in their decision-making at the end of life have also changed.

What religions have increased in the 1960s?

Since the 1960s, there has been increased interest in religions such as Buddhism. To an even greater extent, however, more and more Americans no longer have strong religious preferences at all. In this series, we have covered many of the major world religions’ attitudes towards cremation and beliefs about death.

Is cremation a Christian practice?

However, although cremation is growing in popularity among Christians, some sects of Christianity, such as the Greek and Russian Orthodox churches, retain more historical views of resurrection and do not consider cremation to be an acceptable practice for a Christian.

Is cremation acceptable in Protestant churches?

However, in recent times cremation has become more acceptable within most of the mainstream Protestant churches, as well as Catholicism. These changes have happened for a number of reasons, the most important of which is that cremation is no longer understood by these churches to impede resurrection.

Can an atheist believe in cremation?

In general, atheists cannot be said to have set beliefs about cremation or burial and will typically make these decisions based on their own needs and concerns. Click to read the full article here.

Do Mormons believe in cremation?

Because of this, they are generally advised to avoid cremation unless it is required by law. However, Mormonism does not prohibit cremation; it is not seen as a hindrance to resurrection, and cremation does not preclude Mormons from receiving an LDS memorial service or funeral.

When is cremation prohibited?

The only exception to the prohibition against cremation is during epidemics, when there is risk of spreading disease and Muslim authorities have given permission.

Why do churches believe in cremation?

The Church considers cremation to be the deliberate desecration and destruction of the purpose for which God has made and ordained the body. The church insists that the body be buried so that the natural, physical process of decomposition may take place.

What is the Hinduism of cremation called?

Hinduism actually mandates cremation, called antim sanskar, or last rite, for the disposition of a believer’s earthly remains.

What is the last rite of Hinduism?

Hinduism. Hinduism actually mandates cremation, called antim sanskar, or last rite, for the disposition of a believer’s earthly remains. In cremation, Hindus believe, the body is presented as an offering to Agni, the Hindu god of fire, accompanied by a prayer to purify the deceased and lead them to a better life.

What is the Christian Protestant tradition?

The Christian Protestant tradition embraces many denominations. Many of these denominations were founded as a result of differing beliefs in how various aspects and passages in the Bible should be interpreted. One may naturally expect that going forward, this holds true for the question of cremation as well.

Where are the ashes of Hindus buried?

In India, after a traditional Hindu cremation, the ashes are traditionally dispersed in the Ganges River in India. For other Hindus around the world, if the cremation takes place outside of India, the family may arrange with various companies for shipment of the cremated remains to India, to be immersed in the Ganges River. Alternatively, Hindus use other rivers as acceptable substitutes for the Ganges River.

When do you have to embalm a dead body?

This should happen as soon as death occurs, ideally on the same day of passing, but within 24 hours. Embalming of the deceased is not performed, as the intent is for the body to be returned to dust from where it came, as it was created.

Can Quakers be buried?

There are no religious criteria for interment, and thus Quakers may be buried or cremated.

Do Presbyterians believe in cremation?

Though there is no clear commandment against cremation, Presbyterians generally do not support cremation, and instead prefer that the body remain intact and be buried in the ground.

Is cremation acceptable in Buddhism?

Cremation is acceptable in Buddhism. If the body is to be cremated, monks may be present at the crematorium and lead chanting. If no monks are present, family members may lead chanting. Cremated remains may be collected by the family the following day, and may be kept by the family, enshrined in a columbarium or urn garden, or scattered at sea.

Can you have cremation at an Episcopal funeral?

Cremation is acceptable for Episcopalians and will not interfere with holding a traditional Episcopal funeral.

Can Lutherans have cremation?

Cremation is acceptable for Lutherans and will not interfere with holding a traditional Lutheran funeral.

Can Orthodox Jews have cremations?

For Orthodox Jews, cremation is not acceptable and the body should be buried, intact, in the ground. While cremation is opposed by Conservative Jews, a Conservative rabbi may still perform a funeral for a person who has been cremated.

Is cremation allowed in Eastern Orthodox Church?

Cremation is prohibited in the Eastern Orthodox Church.