Bible Question: HI JUSTME, THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY AND I AM GIVEN TO UNDERSTAAND THAT THE BIBLE IS SILENT ON FUNERAL SERVICES. IT WOULD BE OF INTEREST TO KNOW WHEN AND WHO INITIATED THE FUNERAL SERVICES AND ITS PURPOSES. |
Bible Answer: Good Morning; The act of burying another’s body was viewed as an expression of loving-kindness and respect. The burial of the body of a deceased person was an act of considerable importance to people in the Biblical period. Abraham was the first person directly mentioned in the record as performing a burial, and was willing to spend a fair sum of money in order to obtain a suitable place as a burial ground. See Gen 23:3-20 The cave obtained by Abraham became a family burial site, receiving his wife’s body and, eventually, his own, and those of Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob. In view of the Biblical attitude toward dead bodies, it is evident that the veneration of the bodies of prominent servants of God was not practiced. See Deu 34:5,6 Additional Note: The Jews buried their dead quickly after death, usually on the same day. There were two reasons for such prompt action. First, dead bodies decompose quickly in the hot climate of the Middle East. Second, according to the thinking of the time, leaving a body unburied for days showed dishonor to the deceased and his family. Hope this helps, giving some bible based insight regarding burial of the dead. |