Is this the Jewish Nachas you want to URN from your Children-The Amy Winehouse Tragedy
WHY BURY AND NOT CREMATE
by Rabbi Anchelle Perl, Chabad of Mineola NY
Many Jews are asking if cremation is an acceptable alternate to in-ground burial. Isn't cremation simple and inexpensive? Isn't cremation quick and the least burden on my children? Jewish educators and funeral homes serving Jews report rapid increases in Jews asking about, and asking for, cremation. Cremation after death rose in the U.S. Projections are that 50% of all deaths will end in cremation.
Jewish law and tradition is to be buried in the ground. Early in Genesis, Abraham buries Sarah. The other patriarchs and matriarchs are also buried. The words in Deut. 21:23 are "You shall surely bury him". In the Jewish tradition, the Chevra Kadisha (holy burial society) carefully and lovingly washes the body and dresses the body in tachrichim, simple white burial garments with no pockets. The Chevra Kadisha treats the body with the utmost respect. They ask for forgiveness if they have violated the person's privacy. This beautiful and profound ritual is usually not available for those who will be cremated.
SOME GOOD REASON NOT TO CREMATE
1) Our body doesn't belong to us. It is given to us on loan for the duration of our life on this earth. We are charged with looking after our body, and are permitted to use it for furthering the cause of goodness in this world. Once our souls return to where they came from, we lose any rights in the body, and must return it as is. Cremation is like borrowing someone's car and torching it instead of giving it back - not nice!
2) A central Jewish belief is that those who have passed away will be resurrected when the Messiah arrives. That means that their souls will return to their bodies and they will live again. The Jewish burial practices prepare the body for this experience. Cremation makes it difficult.
3) I recently spoke to someone who attended a friend's cremation. I was struck by her reaction to the funeral. She said that the atmosphere could only be described as awkward. Here was a group of people coming to pay their respects to a loved one. At the front of the room stood an urn. Try as she might, she was unable to make the association between her friend and the urn. There was no sense that honor was being paid to the departed - her presence was no longer felt.
4)The Kabbalah teaches that the soul of the departed remains hovering around the body at the funeral. It hears the eulogies, and sees those who have come to bid it a final farewell. After the burial, a part of the soul always remains at the gravesite. There they can be visited, and they are aware of and attentive to their visitors. Being cremated is unfair to the mourners. They cannot be expected to say farewell to an urn. They have no gravesite to visit. The soul has no resting place in this world.