Cremation instead of burial: why it is chosen and how the Church views it

      April 16, 2026 13:16 Society In modern society, cremation is becoming increasingly popular. Many Russians choose this method of burial due to its relative affordability, simplicity, and the ability to avoid some difficulties associated with traditional funerals. However, attitudes towards cremation in society are mixed, especially among believers. 360.ru found out how the Orthodox Church views cremation, as well as the psychological reasons why people choose this method of burial.

      The Church's Attitude Towards Cremation

      According to the Bible, God said to Adam: "You are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Gen. 3:19). This means that after death, a person's body should be returned to the earth. Traditionally, believers are buried in this manner. However, as noted by the rector of the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian on Maroseyka, Archpriest Fyodor Borodin, despite this, the Church does not prohibit cremation.

      According to the priest, the human body decomposes after death and becomes earth, but this does not hinder resurrection on the Day of Judgment. He also cites examples of martyrs whose bodies were burned but who were still canonized as saints.

      Nevertheless, Archpriest Fyodor emphasizes that cremation may be perceived as a sin if the deceased did not express their desire to be cremated during their lifetime. In such cases, relatives are advised to bury the body in the ground. However, if cremation has already occurred, it does not affect the fate of the deceased's soul.

      Reasons for Choosing Cremation

      Clinical psychologist Anton Korovin identifies several reasons why people choose cremation:

      - Fear of death. Cremation allows one to avoid certain aspects of biological death, such as body decomposition and unpleasant odors. This can help people cope with their fear of death and ease the process of saying goodbye.

      

      - Simplification of the farewell ritual. Cremation can be a quicker and "cleaner" alternative to traditional funerals. This reduces the level of post-traumatic stress for relatives and allows them to cope with their loss more quickly.

      

      - Breaking the anchor of trauma. Traditional funerals require care for the grave and regular visits to the burial site, which can intensify the pain of loss. Cremation allows one to avoid this attachment and gives relatives control over the situation.

      

      - Environmental considerations. Although this is rarely the primary reason, some people choose cremation for its ecological cleanliness.

      

      - Financial aspects. The cost of the entire cremation cycle (hall rental, transportation, the process itself, urn) often turns out to be no cheaper than modest funerals. However, for some people, this can be an important factor.

      Anton Korovin also notes that cremation reflects a global trend towards individualization and mobility. Traditional graves symbolize generational connections and "one's place in the world." However, in modern society, people are increasingly becoming carriers of individual memory, and cremation allows them to preserve this memory without being tied to a specific location.

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