Burial vs. Cremation?

Question

I've heard from funeral parlor employees and people who dig plots for caskets that cremation is very bad in some way. Is it because of what cremating a body does to the environment? Is it a religious thing? I plan to be buried, myself. But I'm wondering what is so "secretly" horrible about cremation.

Answer 1

While the EPA closely regulates crematories, the gases they emit are still very harmful to the environment. The cremation chambers have after-burners to reduce the amount of toxins released into the air, but there are still a lot of gases released. And no, it is not because funeral directors want to make more money, whether you decide burial or cremation, it should be something you are comfortable with.

Answer 2

Before the 1963, the Catholic Church did not allow cremations. It had been concerned that cremation was an attempt to deny the resurrection of the body. Nowadays, cremation is an accepted option, with the stipulation that the ashes are kept together, kept in a worthy vessel and transported with care and respect.

Traditional Jewish law prohibits Cremation; however Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism do permit Cremation. But you may want to consult your clergy if you have any doubts.

Answer 3

I think that the only bad done to the environment might be the urn or whatever, that the ashes are held in.

"Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust." Doesn't sound like anything the environment cant handle, does it?

An elder in our church advocates burial, but only because the Bible tells many instances of burial, and does not mention cremation. He has studied the Bible a lot, and says that there isn't anything Biblical said against cremation.

I am going to be cremated. Takes up less space, can cost less. Besides, they can have my urn at the funeral, and photos of me when I was alive. I won't have to lay there in a casket for all to stare at. I always think I saw a body move, even after it's been embalmed. Not for me, thank you.

Answer 4

Thats ridiculous. If someone in the burial industry tells you its bad to cremate, its probably because they want you to spend the $6000.00 to them for the burial, etc. Cremation is far less expensive.
From a Christian standpoint, even though there are some goofballs who will tell you not to be cremated, its perfectly Biblical to do it either way you want to: burial or cremation; you choice. No problem with God. This flesh body is perishable. When it dies, its done with.
Don't let some bible-thumper tell you that if you cremate your body, that it is wrong because when Christ returns the bodies will come up out of the graves. They will not. When Christ was crucified, figures of resemblance did appear in the area of Judea, but that was a one-time event only - these bodies will not come back;
all will be changed into the spiritual body, and there will be no need for these old flesh ones ever again, I assure you.
This information is directly from the original manuscripts. There is nothing horrible about cremation. I had my daughter cremated.

Answer 5

Burial today is not like it was years ago. You know have to have the casket put in a vault that usually needs to withstand conditions for at least 500 years. The human body before burial is pumped full of chemicals - and one of those is Formaldehyde (H2CO) which is a particularly nasty chemical and will do great damage to the environment when it eventually leaks out. Plus land should be used for the living to enjoy and grow food not take up with dead bodies.

I will be cremated.

Answer 6

Some people feel, it is the way we dispose of trash, and it offends them that we would do the same to a person.
It was used to degrade the individual (think of the Holocaust).So I think cremation has a bad image because of those things.

Answer 7

you have to pay for the casket, head stone and the space. this way the funeral parlor gets richer. it is cheaper to for cremation. I want to be cremated and my late husband was created

Answer 8

cremations bad???? wow! thats news to me!! I always thought that getting your body pumped with embalming fluid and slowly decomposing was bad. but what the heck do i know???

Answer 9

Set me aflame. I don't want to be food for little critters.

Answer 10

I don't want to be eaten by maggots so I am gonna be burnt