The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), commonly known as the Mormon church, does not have any official doctrine dictating whether members should be buried or cremated after death. However, Mormon cultural traditions tend to favor burial over cremation.
Quick Answers
– Mormons typically prefer burial over cremation, but cremation is not officially prohibited.
– The Mormon emphasis on resurrection of the physical body contributes to a cultural preference for burial.
– Cost and convenience are factors that sometimes lead Mormons to choose cremation.
– The LDS church does not have any doctrinal objection to cremation.
– Mormons who choose cremation will usually have a memorial service before the cremation.
– The LDS church allows cremated remains to be buried in their cemeteries and temples.
– Some Mormons choose to split cremated remains, burying a portion and keeping the rest.
– The LDS church places emphasis on performing baptisms and other temple rituals for the deceased.
Mormon Beliefs About Death and the Afterlife
Mormon theology heavily emphasizes bodily resurrection after death. They believe that through Christ’s resurrection, all people will be resurrected someday with perfected physical bodies reunited with their spirits.
Because of this focus on a physical resurrection, many Mormons prefer for burial of the body to remain intact, as a sign of faith that God will resurrect it whole again in the future. Burial of the body all in one place provides a symbolic representation of this belief.
However, cremation does not conflict with the Mormon belief in resurrection. The LDS church teaches that God retains a perfect knowledge of each person’s body, and the molecules can be reunited again whole regardless of what happens to the body after death. So cremation does not pose an obstacle for God enacting a physical resurrection.
Overall, the LDS church does not have any official doctrinal objection to cremation. But cultural traditions have formed a strong preference for burial of the body as an act of faith.
Why Mormons Often Choose Burial
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints itself has clear instructions regarding burial.
The LDS Handbook states: “Where possible, deceased members who were endowed should be buried in temple clothing. They should be buried in the cemetery of the ward or branch in which they lived. Flowers and music are appropriate at graveside services.”
This provides practical guidance directing Mormons toward burial near their own congregation. Being buried in temple ceremonial clothing also signals a preference for maintaining the body intact.
Additionally, the LDS church places great emphasis on performing baptisms, eternal marriages, and other temple ordinances for deceased ancestors. Mormons believe these sacred rituals allow the dead to receive salvation. Having the body all in one place provides a symbolic connection to these deceased individuals during the temple rituals done in their behalf.
Financial Factors
In many areas, the average cost of a traditional funeral and burial is between $7,000-$10,000. Cremation is often less than half that cost at approximately $2,000-$5,000 on average. The lower price tag makes cremation an appealing choice for some families.
Also, cremation avoids the purchase of expensive caskets and burial vaults. So for lower income Mormons, cremation may be the only affordable option.
Convenience
Cremation provides flexibility for families who move around frequently or have members living long distances apart. The cremated remains can easily be transported and do not require ongoing care and maintenance like a burial plot does. This makes cremation an attractive option for some Mormon families with members spread across different states or countries.
Mormon Funeral Traditions
Whether they choose burial or cremation, Mormons have some common funeral traditions:
- A viewing is held the night before the funeral where family and friends can come pay their respects to the deceased in the casket.
- A funeral service is held, usually at the LDS chapel or in a stake center. Speakers will talk about the deceased person’s life and share spiritual messages about Mormon beliefs on the afterlife.
- If burial is selected, a graveside service follows the funeral. If cremation is planned, this service step is often omitted.
- After the funeral service, there is normally a dinner where the congregation provides food for the grieving family.
One unique aspect of Mormon funerals is the abundance of speakers. It is common for several family members, friends, and church leaders to give talks about the deceased’s character and their own memories together.
Cremation Process for Mormons
For Mormons who do choose cremation, the cremation itself will often take place after a memorial service is held. This allows the body to be present at the service for viewing and remembrances.
It is also common for Mormon families to have a small graveside service at the burial of the cremated remains. Prayers are said and remarks given honoring the deceased as their cremains are laid to rest.
One trend among some Mormons is to split up cremated remains between family members. Part of the cremains may be formally buried, while the rest are kept by children, grandchildren, or other relatives. This provides different options for handling the remains while still reserving part for traditional burial.
Cremated Remains and Mormon Temples
The LDS church does allow cremated remains to be buried on temple grounds and in their cemeteries. Some requirements must be met for burial in certain areas:
- Cremated remains are permitted in any LDS cemetery.
- To be buried in a Mormon temple cemetery, the deceased must have been a worthy temple recommend holder.
- Cremated remains are allowed to be buried on temple grounds surrounding operating temples, but not directly on temple sites that have been dedicated.
These policies allow cremated Mormons to still have a final resting place associated with their beloved church and temples even if traditional burial is not chosen.
Conclusion
In summary, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not prohibit cremation or doctrinally require burial. However, Mormon cultural preferences tend toward burial of the body all in one place. This represents their faith in physical resurrection through Jesus Christ.
But many Mormons are choosing cremation for financial and convenience reasons these days. The LDS church supports families in following local laws and traditions regarding cremation versus burial. Either option can provide a meaningful funeral service and resting place for deceased Mormons.