What relgions prohibit cremation, or allow it? Why?
Hinduism allows it and I think it is the preferred form of “burial”
I don’t have a cite, but I’m pretty sure that while the Catholic Church formerly condemned cremation, they now accept it, though a funeral mass must still be performed. Again, I have no cite or proof at this point.
The last time I checked the Catholic regulations for funeral and burial, they only required that the remains be treated “respectfully.” In the guide to Catholic burials in my area (other jurisdictions may vary) the questions is explicitly asked “does the Church allow cremation” and the answer is yes.
My father was cremated and buried in a Catholic cemetary five years ago, so I suppose the guidelines have been in place at least that long.
Cremation seems to be the preferred method for Buddhists, at least in Thailand. Sometimes the easiest way to spot the temples is to see the chimney for the crematorium.
IIRC, the Catholic Church allows cremation, but the ashes must be buried in a cemetary - no scattering, and no keeping them on the mantle in a nice vase.
Judaism (the Orthodox part, anyway) doesn’t allow cremation, and is very big on treating the body with great respect. Autopsies aren’t allowed, and the funeral takes place ASAP (within 24 hours of death if at all possible).
Islam prohibits cremation. All Christian religions allow it.
As far as I know, Episcopalians can get cremated. We do both burial and cremation in our family; it depends on what you want.
Do you (or anyone else) know if the autopsy is required by law in the case of an unknown cause of death…how is that handled/dealt with by the church?
Here’s a general overview that says that most, but not all, Western forms of Christianity do allow cremation:
And here’s a page from someone who feels strongly that cremation is not Christian:
http://www.macgregorministries.org/cult_groups/cremation.html
You can find more similar pages by doing a Google search on “Christian prohibits cremation”.
The church? Wrong religion, folks ;j.
Generally, they try to use really advanced scanning techniques (a friend’s father died in a train crash, and they released the body after a giant MRI determined the cause of death). If not, they try to make sure that the body is treated as respectfully as possible under the circumstances and that all of the body parts get buried. This is why if you ever see footage of the aftermath of a bombing in Israel, there are Hasidic-looking men crawling around with q-tips, trying to get every last bit of flesh so that it can be properly buried.
What is the correct term? Would I say temple or the rabbi ? Obviously I am not jewish. I am wanting to learn.
THANKS TO EVERYONE
A lot of generalizations: Tibetan buddhists generally have the sky burial (basically picked apart by vultures), but also can be buried in water. Burial is often not practical given the permafrost that covers much of Tibet for much of the year.
Cremation is used in the case of some Lama’s but wood is scarce in many parts of Tibet. Thus cremation does occur but isn’t conducted for most deaths.
I’m sure that Norse mythology need not be mentioned, but they di cremations.
My Grandfather, a Methodist, was cremated. My father wants to be cremated. I want to be cremated.
I think it has something to do with our Danish heritage, but on-topic, AFAIK, Methodists allow it.
PS: my Irish Baptist relatives look down on cremation, so it may differ between denominations.
My Wiccan friend says that cremation goes against her religion. She says that fire is unnatural (?!), and is horrified that I want to be cremated. She’s so very disgusted and creeped out by the idea that I’m not sure if she hates it for her religion or for personal reasons, but I guess witches and fire have an unfortunate history.
She always said that if she outlived me, she’d override my wishes and make sure I was buried not burnt. Considering I find the idea of rotting away horrifying, I’m not leaving her in charge of my funeral! If you ask me, fire is more natural than embalming and sealing in a box and sticking in the ground. If we’re talking nature, she should have wanted her body left on the forest floor to be devoured by wild animals, and to rot away. That’s natural in my opinion anyway!
I’d say it’s a personal thing with her (though most of a Wiccan’s faith is). I’m Wiccan and have many Neo-Pagan friends and I’ve never heard anyone of them call fire unnatural. It’s a natural as water or air.
As for desposing of my remains, I’m like to be buried, with out coffin or tomb, in the woods with a tree planted over me but seeing as that’s illegal I don’t know what I’ll have done.
The Roman Catholic Code of Canon Law, Can. Can. 1176 §3, provides:
In this context, “contrary to Christian teaching” means any practice or belief that would deny the reality of the resurrection.
This is further emphaized by Can. 1184 §1 2°, which provides that Church funeral rites are to be denied to those who for anti-christian motives chose that their bodies be cremated.
Actually, that’s not true at all. In general, Orthodox Christian faiths forbid cremation. See the Greek Orthodox position:
The Russian Orthodoxy’s comment:
- Rick
Ok…all Christian Religions but one.
Forgive me.