The service is usually carried out at a church, crematorium or cemetery and will include prayers, a sermon, readings, hymns and sometimes music or poems (see our guide to popular funeral songs and famous funeral poems). Additionally, a friend or family member may choose to deliver a eulogy as a tribute to the deceased.
Preparation of the Body
The body is carefully washed. It's a Christian belief that cleanliness is close to Godliness, and so the body has to be clean as it enters the gates of heaven. After cleansing, the body is embalmed. This often happens before the funeral service.
The body was carried by loved ones, a sign of affection and love. As they made their way to the grave or tomb, women would wail and throw dust in their hair and a crowd of friends, extended family, and neighbors would accompany the procession to the tomb.
While cremation is not preferred among most Christians, it isn't a forbidden practice. Some more conservative denominations assert that specific content in the Bible discourages the practice of cremation, but other Biblical passages seem to simply support burial over cremation.
The Seven Sacraments are: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Ordination, Marriage, Reconciliation, and The Anointing of the Sick. The two most important sacraments are Baptism and the Eucharist. Baptism is the ritual prayer-action through which a person becomes a member of the Christian community, the Church.
There are certain Christian traditions that are practiced throughout the liturgical year, such as praying a daily devotional during Advent, erecting a nativity scene during Christmastide, chalking the door on Epiphany Day, fasting during Lent, waving palms on Palm Sunday, eating easter eggs during Eastertide, and ...
Muslims are always buried without embalming and are never cremated. The deceased should be buried as soon as possible, usually within 24 hours, and the burial should be as close to the site of death as possible, preferably within 1-2 miles.
The practice of burial stems from our beliefs in the value of the human body and the reality of the resurrection of the dead (with the Apostles' Creed speaking about our belief in the “resurrection of the dead” as one of the core Christian beliefs).
The burial of Christ is specifically mentioned in the Apostles' Creed, where it says that Jesus was "crucified, dead, and buried." The Heidelberg Catechism asks "Why was he buried?" and gives the answer "His burial testified that He had really died."
The body should be buried with loving care, just as Christ's body was cared for lovingly (John 19:39-40). We should pay our respects, not our life savings.
The Christian Wake
The wake is the modern version of the ancient practice of sitting with the dead. Friends and family members are received at the funeral home to share in the family's grief. Flowers and photographs of the deceased may be displayed at the funeral home during the wake.
However, it's important to remember that the Bible does not explicitly prohibit or endorse cremation or the keeping of ashes. Ultimately, the decision of what to do with the ashes of a loved one is a personal one, and should be made based on what feels right for the family.
It is important to remember that, when carrying a coffin or casket, the person inside is always carried feet first – the only exception is a vicar, who is carried head first to face their congregation. Coffins are carried feet first simply because of health and safety, rather than any kind of ceremonial tradition.
For Christians, it traditionally takes between one week and 40 days after the date of death to fully mourn the deceased. However, note that the mourning period can vary greatly in length, depending on the denomination.
In a Christian burial, the body of the deceased person is typically interred in consecrated ground. Cremation used to be forbidden in Christian faith, as it would interfere with resurrection. Over time those rules have relaxed. In Catholic tradition, cremated remains are still buried.
A: In the Bible, cremation is not labeled a sinful practice. Frankly, the topic is not dealt with at all in terms of the detailed lists of instructions for living and dying set forth by almighty God in the Old and New testaments. The short answer to your question appears to be no, cremation is not a sin.
It is okay not to have a funeral. However, here are some thoughts to consider as you make your decision. A funeral is not necessarily for you; it's for the ones you leave behind.
A person can live on the air in a coffin for a little over five hours, tops. If you start hyperventilating, panicked that you've been buried alive, the oxygen will likely run out sooner.)
Islamic belief holds that only Allah knows what is good or bad for us and that the body should be treated with the utmost respect in life and in death. Burning the dead is considered a form of mutilation, forbidden by Allah.
Dress codes for funerals
Dark, somber colors are similarly worn at Jewish funerals. Other religions like Hinduism and Buddhism, however, take a different approach and encourage funeral attire that is white, a color that symbolizes purity.
Obey God moment by moment (John 14:21). Witness for Christ by your life and words (Matthew 4:19; John 15:8). Trust God for every detail of your life (1 Peter 5:7). Holy Spirit - allow Him to control and empower your daily life and witness (Galatians 5:16,17; Acts 1:8).
Fasting helps followers of God seek him and discern his will for their lives. When we fast, we are eliminating distractions that often keep us from hearing God's voice. We have emptied ourselves of our most basic need so we can direct our full attention to God.