In the mid-1920s, Marc and Paulina attended various funerals in their native France. Then they learned about the pain associated with funerals and some funeral customs that people followed.
While studying in New York in 1975, they attended the funeral of a friend from one of the Caribbean islands. They expected some of the prices to be different. But they weren't prepared for what they saw. During the funeral, some relatives of the deceased suddenly erupted in bitter discomfort. And some of these islanders tried to jump in the coffin; They even wanted to remove the cover and kiss the corpse as they always came.
Yes, while shocking enough for the French couple, it was common at funerals across the world. This only proves that there are different burial customs in different countries. Some obligations seem localized, such as the need for immediate burial in the tropics or cremation when earths are scarce. Other customs arose from religious or superstitious beliefs. However, other customs may simply be picturesque traditions of unknown origin or of past significance.
Are all burial jobs bad?
By learning the laws and principles of the Bible, some people may tend to avoid all burial habits. Why?
You may be aware that God specifically prohibited the Israelites from attending certain funeral or mourning ceremonies for neighbors. God said, "You must not cause baldness, and you must not shave the end of your beard, or cut your flesh. The people of God would be religiously different. They would not copy the extreme pain of the Gentiles. around them.More recently than that.The Jews adopted these pagan religious practices not with the approval of God.
But does this mean that a Christian today must categorically reject all local funeral customs? Not necessarily.
The scriptures show that some funeral customs may not be offensive. For example, the Bible says that after the disciples of Christ removed the body from his torso, "took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in bandages with spices, just as the Jews are used to preparing. the funeral". John 19:40.
The Jews may have developed this custom in part to delay decadence. However, since the spices were only used externally, the body quickly began to break down. Therefore, respect for the deceased loved one can also be the basis of this Jewish burial custom. But what do we do when the Christian community is formed? Interestingly, the early Christians continued many Jewish burial customs, such as: B. Quick burial rather than late burial or cremation.
What we read about Jacob also shows that some local burial tasks can be unmistakable. When he died in Egypt, local doctors embalmed the body of his son Joseph. The story goes: "It took [Jacob] forty days, out of the many days normally required for embalming." Following this local burial procedure, Joseph was able to remove Jacob's remains from Egypt to be buried with his ancestors in Canaan.
Factors to consider
In various burial customs around the world, what guidelines can a person use to help them decide whether or not to follow local burial customs?
Those who respect the dead, but especially God, must ask themselves whether a custom contradicts the teachings of the Bible.
For example, it was customary for some Koreans to distribute rice on the roof or at the door of the deceased's house. And a male relative climbed to the roof to shake off the deceased's clothes and shout his name. This has been known as the Cho-Hon or "Invitation to the Soul" ceremony. I should have invited the soul out of the house. People in other countries believe that the deceased will change their life and therefore follow the custom of putting money in the mouth or in the coffins. Therefore, he will have money that he can use in the next life, for example "to pay the boatswain for the ticket for eternity".
So how can a person who knows the biblical truth about the condition of the dead participate in burial habits that incorporate the teaching of the unbiblical immortal soul? It would certainly not be proof of respect for the dead to associate the deceased with a lie.
Another factor to consider is how a particular adaptation is applied or understood locally.
Take, for example, the so-called "alarm clock". It is known by this name in many areas because it was common for family and friends to stay awake near the body for a night or more. However, the reasons for this were different. Some people followed this custom because they believed that a demon was trying to take control of the body. Others believe that the soul of the deceased stays in the house the first night and can make anyone who falls asleep sick. The American Encyclopedia also reports: "Awakening is sometimes accompanied by scenes of disorder and poisoning," which show little "sincere respect for the dead."
What if your community calls part of the funeral "resuscitation"? It would be wise to think about what this will do and how it will be achieved. It can be no longer than the term used to visit grieving family members at home or funeral homes during the day to receive comfort and condolences. The fact that you can be called an "alarm clock" really does not stop you from "comforting the pain." But would it be appropriate for the scriptures to share a "revival" if it is currently related to false teachings or unfounded superstitions in your area? He would also show respect for the dead by participating in "scenes of disorder and noise."
When finding other methods that people expect "respect for the dead" from, consider what they mean in the area where you live.
For example, it may be normal for flowers to be sent or taken to the funeral. What does that mean now? In some places, especially in the past, these flowers were considered part of a sacrifice to the gods. In the same way, the participants in the Buddhist funeral in Japan today must burn a pinch of incense for the gods. Of course, you could not follow these customs if you believed that "it is Jehovah your God that you must worship and that you alone must perform holy service." In other places, however, the flowers are not offered or are intended to be a worship. They can be given simply as an expression of compassion or as a peaceful beauty for the funeral.
Local feelings can also be taken into account when dressing well for funerals. And it varies from place to place. In parts of the Middle East and the Far East, men and women must wear white calico suits and white straw sandals. But in Japan and many Catholic countries, it is common to wear black clothes or a black bracelet for funerals. Should this be strictly followed to show respect for the dead?
Obviously, the deceased will not be aware of what the living are wearing. But other living people will do it. What do you suggest for them to follow the custom? Well, is the habit generally considered to be a deeply ingrained practice associated with believers in the immortality of the soul and hellfire or members of a particular church? In that case, strict observance of custom may mean that you share the faith of the local soul or that you are part of this church. On the other hand, there is the problem of good taste, because you do not want to offend unnecessarily. One can conclude that the sober and not ostentatious clothes are more in line with the "house of sorrow" sobriety than the colorful clothes normally associated with the "house of banquet".
It is not wrong for others to realize that a Christian is suffering or crying. Although it was not as extreme as cutting yourself, ancient Jews mourned a loved one. And the fact that these people cried under different circumstances can be reflected in their appearance or physical appearance.
The balance is taken into account. Jesus knew the pain associated with death, but even though he cries and groans in the spirit of his dead friend Lazarus, there is no evidence that Jesus' pain was any longer. Including its scope and how it is manifested, it is tempered by the joy and hope of the resurrection that gives it strength. The apostle Paul wrote: “Brethren, we do not want you to ignore those who are asleep in death. do not suffer like others who have no hope.
Of course, this balanced Christian view would also show
It is understandable that this balanced Christian perspective also manifests itself in relation to funeral customs.
Personal feelings
One factor that can be very important when it comes to burial duties is an individual's personal feelings or conscience.
In some countries, for example, family members or even visitors kneel in front of the coffin and pray. There is really no written objection to praying to Jehovah God, whether at the funeral or not. Jesus prayed at the tomb of Lazarus. But true Christians do not pray for deceased family members, nor do they suggest that they believe their prayers should help someone out of Purgatory or take someone to Heaven. At funerals, many Christians personally prefer to forgo explicit prayers, which may appear purely formal.
Another personal feeling that influences responses to funeral customs is the desire to keep a funeral simple and ritual-free.
This may mean, for example, that certain customs duties are levied at the burial site. In some areas, pallet holders or family members may need to put a flower in the casket or throw a flower in the grave before filling it. For many people, it is a final mark of respect or a final tribute to the dead. But of course, the true Christian knows that the deceased does not know the flower. And if the deceased had been a true Christian, he would also have followed the advice of Romans 1:25 not to give to a creature or to worship unnecessarily. As a result, some people's personal feelings caused them to skip this practice.
Another practice at the grave site is to throw a small amount of soil on the grave. The priest or the person conducting the funeral can usually do this by quoting Genesis 3:19, in which Adam comes out of the dust and returns to the dust. The Bible commentary, however, was a statement: God foresaw what would happen to Adam hundreds of years later. It is not a ritualistic formula that should be repeated at every funeral.
Even at a funeral, there is nothing wrong with using words from the Bible, even the words from Genesis 3:19. But at this time, the Bible's words about the resurrection hope are especially heartwarming. These have permanent positive value and are not symbolic acts that some believe could detract from the opportunity.
With so many different funeral practices practiced around the world, who can know them all, or how and why have they evolved? But if he chooses to follow a particular custom in his region, the Christian will be helped to think about it. Do we know that its origin or current meaning contradicts the teachings of the Word of God? Does the manner in which a custom is practiced contradict a Christian's true hope in the scriptures? Will you be involved or fail to make the trip offensive or unnecessary? What have you seen at the simple funerals of other true Christians near you? And what is the advice of your personal feelings and conscience?
Taking these factors into account can help Christians act in harmony with their beliefs, feelings of satisfaction, and respect for the dead.
Sensitivity in good way is okay