We have a choice almost in everything - from different varieties of food to different varieties of daily items. Also, we have been introduced to a different form of funeral. Not that something has changed in the Orthodox tradition or in the Orthodox Christian Service, no. But in the last few decades cremation has become much more popular and is therefore, a different way of body disposal.

What is the view of the Orthodox Church on cremation? Is cremation ‘unorthodox'?

We need to say that cremation is integral to the tradition or teaching of some religions. Some Pagan religions had and still have cremation as a ‘must' or as the only form of body disposal because it reflects their beliefs. But Christianity has never viewed cremation as a part of its tradition!

What is important in Christianity regarding burial?

From early times Christians were consecrating ground for their bodies to be buried in, having special services on the graves of their martyrs and other Christians. This reflects our Christian belief in the bodily resurrection of all. By the way, this tradition is being observed even today by Orthodox Christians. And it is not just the special memorial services we have for our relatives and friends who have departed this life. It is also a tradition of serving Divine Liturgies on the relics of the saint or martyrs for Christ. Every church that has been consecrated by an Orthodox Bishop has a particle of a Christian saint's relic placed inside the Altar Table (or Holy Table in the Altar) to reflect that old tradition of serving Liturgies on the graves of Christian martyrs in catacombs.

The funeral service the Orthodox Church performs is designed to be done in the presence of the body (or around the body). This has both an educational and instructive side, as well as a visual expression of many truths that the Church confesses. These aspects of the Orthodox Christian funeral are very important for Christians. They help us to remember the main teaching of the Church as well as to profess what we generally believe in. It is important to know our Orthodox teaching and views on burial. Therefore, instead of offering you an article on "Why not cremation" I would like to offer you an article on "Why burial of the body?"

Our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). This, of course, refers to those who received the Holy Spirit in Christian Baptism. That is why we have special respect for the body. In all Orthodox Churches we use incense during our services, just as it was done in the Temple in Jerusalem. However, because of Christian belief (1 Cor. 6:19) we censer not only the Altar, but also all the icons and all the faithful present during the service. During funerals we also use incense and light candles around the body expressing our Orthodox Christian belief (see 1 Cor. 6:19).

Next point: We believe that after death we do not disappear. For this reason, death in Orthodox Christianity is called falling asleep or departure.

When a person is asleep, he/she is expected to wake up. In burial of the body our belief in the resurrection of all is reflected. We will be brought back to life just as easy as we can be awakened from sleep. So, the presence of the body during the funeral reflects this aspect of our Orthodox Christian faith.

Departure is another term used during the Orthodox Funeral Service. When we depart from one point we are expected to arrive at another point. People might be crying at the point of departure, but somebody will be glad to meet us when we arrive to our destination. For a Christian, heaven is the only destination. Burial of the body helps to visually express this statement. We carry the body to the grave as though saying our good byes before departure; however, we believe that our Lord will meet this person on the ‘other side'.

Next point: Saint Paul in 1 Cor. 15:42 - 58 compared death and resurrection to sowing of the seed. Burial of the body helps Christians to expect resurrection to happen because of what Paul wrote. Seeing the natural or physical body being ‘sown' into the ground brings to mind this verse; therefore, burial of the body carries a teaching role as well. When we see a body being buried it is much easier to contemplate the future resurrection of the same body.

Every Christian is called to evangelize the world, be ‘salt' and ‘light' for the world and example for others (Mat.5:13-16). It is only logical to use our body for teaching and instruction (as it was explained above) for the last time on this earth. The body of a Christian serves as an example of faith and belief in future resurrection of all.

This is why we care! This is why the Orthodox Church advises us to use traditional Christian burial, which is interment.

What if a Christian does not want his/her body to serve the purpose of Christian Faith and wants his/her body cremated, anyway?

The Church does not refuse service and burial because of her love for her children; however, some churches might refuse the ashes inside the church. It is not because for some reason ashes are not ‘clean' or somehow will ‘desecrate' the church. Of course not! This refusal carries only a teaching point for the rest of Christians by showing the importance of being a Christian and evangelizer of the world to the end. It also demonstrates how the Church cannot force her way onto anyone - especially if that person did not want it to happen. Since the usual funeral service carries the above mentioned importance, the Church cannot force her ‘ways' onto somebody's remains if somebody refuses to express this importance. As a result, a memorial service would be held without that person's remains (in this case, without ashes). But, again, this is not a dogma! You have to check with your parish priest prior to making a final decision about your body after your departure from this life.

What if somebody died in accident and his/her body was burnt? This is completely different story. That person did not intend his/her body to be burnt. Of course, funeral would be held as usual with remains present.

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