Despite the fact that cremation is now more popular than traditional burial, does the Greek Orthodox Church allow cremation? Cremation isn’t the only religion that allows cremation. In fact, some of the religions that are considered to be Christian allow cremation as well.
Table of Contents
- Grievish orthodox church allows cremation
- Traditional burial is more popular than cremation
- Disinterment is a gory second funeral
- Crematoriums in greek orthodox churches were unwilling to host a crematorium
- Exhumation is a paid process at which the family and priest are present
- Other religions that allow cremation
Grievish orthodox church allows cremation
Despite its legal status, the Greek Orthodox Church has not endorsed cremation yet. Several of its members have been cremated for centuries. Cremation is not the be-all and end-all of funerals though.
There are many religious groups with non-Christian burial practices. The Greek Orthodox Church, for example, has a traditional funeral consisting of five parts. The funeral ceremony is not typically held on a Sunday or Holy Saturday. It starts the night before with a brief prayer service.
The church does not consider cremation as a grave sin. Rather, it merely makes more sense in light of the church’s view of the human body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. It also allows disinterment for families who have no graves. Cremation may also be a necessary evil in the event of a natural disaster.
Traditional burial is more popular than cremation
Traditionally, the Greek Orthodox church has favored traditional burial, but there is a growing movement against this practice. As a result, the Church is undergoing a debate over cremation.
Many of the world’s major religions now accept cremation as a funeral procedure. Cremation is considered a more environmentally friendly alternative, as it does not require embalming and does not require burial in a cemetery plot.
Cremation has become more popular in the United States, where more than half of the dead are cremated. Changing demographics play a role in its popularity. Until recently, the United States had a cremation rate of less than ten percent. However, since the 1960s, this rate has shifted to more than 50 percent.
Disinterment is a gory second funeral
Traditionally, a Greek Orthodox funeral is held in a church. Attendees are expected to dress in a specific manner. They are expected to wear dark jackets and ties.
A typical service includes the Holy Communion and a lit candle. The service is usually about sixty minutes long and is led by a subdeacon or a priest. The clergyman may also use a number of readings. The service is followed by a graveside service. Guests place flowers on the casket and pray for the deceased’s soul. The priest makes the cross three times with red wine.
In some churches, a three day wake is held. In others, the widow may wear black for up to two years.
Crematoriums in greek orthodox churches were unwilling to host a crematorium
Until the past few years, cremation in Greece was a non-starter. The country’s Orthodox church was against the practice, saying that cremation was not in line with its tradition. In fact, it was the only branch of Eastern Orthodoxy that bans cremation.
Cremation was legalized in Greece in 2006, but it was only after years of activism. The country’s urban population has risen dramatically in the past 50 years, and its cemeteries have become overcrowded. For this reason, a Greek family may prefer cremation over burial. In the past, many Greek families had to transport the bodies of their loved ones to neighboring Bulgaria for cremation.
Exhumation is a paid process at which the family and priest are present
Whether you are planning an exhumation for yourself or someone close to you, it’s important to take your time to research the process. The process can be a traumatic experience for everyone involved. If you are unsure how to proceed, contact a funeral director.
If you are considering exhuming a loved one, you need to first apply for an exhumation licence. This licence is issued by the Secretary of State’s Licence office. You will need to complete an application form and provide it to the burial authority. The application form will be signed by the cemetery manager. The burial authority will then send the form to the Ministry of Justice for approval.
Other religions that allow cremation
Whether or not a person decides to cremate their loved one is a decision that is made on a personal level. However, there are many religious beliefs that may influence the decision. For instance, Buddhists are generally cremation friendly.
Unlike Buddhism, some other religions do not accept cremation. For example, Muslims are not permitted to cremate their loved ones. Islamic law is against cremation because it is considered unclean and a form of bodily mutilation. This practice is also forbidden for non-Muslims.
Another religion that accepts cremation is Sikhism. The tradition of cremation in Sikhism involves burning the body in a sacred fire. However, it does not include cremating children. In addition, the deceased may not be cremated if they are considered a saint.
