Source: Orthodox Observer
by Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver
Over the past several years it appears that a number of persons who have been recognized as Orthodox Christians have taken their lives, as well as some who leave in their wills that they wish to be cremated. On the basis of these two realities, it is obvious that many of our people have no understanding of the sanctity of the human body and have not been educated on the seriousness of these matters relative to the fact that they consider themselves members of the Church.
In the matter of suicides, if a person is considered in his or her right mind and commits suicide, the only interpretation that the Church can give is that such a person rejects the life given to them by the Holy Spirit.
The result is that the Church does not offer a funeral service to that person. The reason for this is that the funeral service is reserved only for those who believe in the resurrection of the dead and eternal life after the resurrection. Therefore, the only time a funeral is conducted for a suicide is on the basis of a doctor’s reputable statement that the person committing suicide was not in his or her right mind.
In the matter of cremations, the inference is that there is no resurrection of the body, contrary to what we read in the New Testament, and thus the cremation returns the body to its basic elements. It is also important to note that the Orthodox Christian funeral service is written on the premise that a body is present. Consequently, whether a body is cremated, lost at sea, or otherwise absent, the funeral service cannot be
conducted. The reason for this is that the funeral service is deliberately written in such a way as if the deceased were singing the dramatic hymns. Specific verses are taken from the Book of Psalms (118) which are in the first person, using the pronoun “I.”
Aside from this fact, cremation goes contrary to Holy Scripture. One good example is found in St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians where we read, “…glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God’s (6:20).” In other words, our bodies and souls belong to God, and not to us.
Therefore, we have no right to do with our bodies what we please.
In addition to all of this, there is even a greater reason why cremation is contrary to our Christian faith. Simply put, it desecrates the body. Moreover, the so-called ashes from a cremation are not ashes. They are the crushed and pulverized skull and bones of the body, the arms and legs. They are put through a grinding machine which actually turns the bones into dust.
Finally, for an Orthodox Christian to fulfill the wishes of a member of the family who wishes to be cremated after death actually defiles the sacraments of Baptism, Chrismation, Confession, Holy Unction, Holy Matrimony, and the Holy Eucharist by considering the wishes of the deceased
more important than the divine blessing of the Holy Spirit upon the deceased body throughout the years that the body was the recipient of those holy blessings.
On the basis of these realities, it is the responsibility of not only the clergy, but of all our faithful Greek Orthodox Christians to do whatever they can do, in a positive way, to impress upon those who accept this pagan practice that it is wrong.
The fact that the deceased body of an Orthodox Christian receives multiple blessings from the Lord in preparation of the eternal Kingdom, any violence upon a dead body is the desecration of God’s temple.
Published in the April 2016 issue (p. 11) of the Orthodox Observer.
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1 Comment
Met. Isaih’s article, I assume serves some purpose, and is probably a response to issues confronted in his diocese. I believe with all the challenges the GOA is facing, there might be more pressing issues to address. Nevertheless, Isaih writes, “if a person is considered in his/her right mind commits suicide”, well who is going to commit suicide other than one who is not in their right mind. Secondly, Isaih writes, “if a person wishes to be cremated after death”, I hope no one wishes to be cremated before death. Isaih addresses secondary issues which distract from the issues which need to be addressed. Does one really believe in the resurrection and that is why they wish to be buried through the church or is it just a cultural formality? Does one believe their body belongs to God or have they just gone through cultural formalities prescribed by the Church(baptism, cremation, marriage). People who do not come to church, yet identify as members of the GOA, are not going to be “educated” in their faith. A person who is not present cannot be educated in the faith. The real challenge of the church is presenting Christ so that people are called to repentance and choose to follow Christ. Then, and only then, do His teachings have meaning in a person’s life. St Paul says “faith comes through hearing of the word of God”.