Bible Questions and Answers

There is no specific reference to cremation in the Bible. However, given that bodily resurrection from the dead is the only hope that scripture holds out for life after death, this can be a very concerning issue.

Does resurrection depend upon having the remains of a physical body available to be raised? Absolutely not. Here are some reasons from scripture why this statement is true.
 
Genesis 18:27 Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Abraham is many thousands of years dead. His body has "returned to dust." Will Abraham be raised when Jesus returns? Absolutely! See Hebrews 11.

Job 19:25-27 But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought! (New Living Translation) Job knew that even though his body dissolved into nothing more than "dust and ashes" after his death, yet God would provide him a body and restore his personality and memories so that it will be really he who will stand before his redeemer and the judge of all the earth at the resurrection.

Malachi 3:16,17 Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him. God's book of remembrance includes our genetic makeup and our memories so that no matter what state our bodies are in when Christ returns, or even if our bodies have been completely destroyed, they will be restored perfectly at the resurrection when the Lord returns to judge the living and the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:51-55 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? God will restore our bodies no matter what. 
 
In terms of cremation, think of those poor Christians during the Roman persecution who were burned alive with nothing remaining but ashes and after their deaths, even these ashes were scattered to the winds. Think about the brave martyrs who were burned at the stake by the Catholic church rather than renounce the Truth of the Bible. God, who created Adam from the dust of the earth, will be able to recreate the bodies and personalities of such faithful men and women!

Living or dead; with a body to hand or not; God will restore or change our bodies and grant them immortality if we are among those whom He considers to be His children on that great day when His son returns to this earth to raise the dead and judge the living and the dead in preparation for his Father's Kingdom.  

Does cremation matter in terms of the resurrection? The bottom-line answer is that it makes no difference at all whether one is cremated or not. What really matters is that your name should be found in the "book of remembrance" spoken of by the prophet Malachi!

I hope you have found this helpful.

God bless,
Mike