Until recently, after death most people were buried but that's changing.
For less traditional Jews meaning, those who don't keep kosher or Shabbat,
around 20 to 40% choose cremation.
That said it's undeniable that Judaism says to bury.
In fact many traditional Jews believe that if your parent or any relative asks to
be cremated you should ignore that request and bury them regardless.
Other Jews see it as a choice: burial vs cremation.
It's a question of keeping tradition versus following current trends.
How do I honor my parents memory?
Does this mean I'm going against Jewish tradition?
And what choice do I want to make for myself?
People choose to be cremated for a variety of reasons.
Some think it's better for the environment or
they don't like the idea of using limited land for burial.
Perhaps surprisingly, someone to show solidarity
with their relatives who died in the Holocaust.
A major issue is cost.
Cremations can be significantly less expensive than funerals.
And for many, scattering the ashes can have a beautiful connected feeling
of returning to the earth.
"For dust you are and to dust you shall return."
So why does traditional Judaism reject cremation?
For one there's a deep respect for the body.
When a Jewish text with G-d's name is no longer useable we don't simply throw it out,
we're supposed to bury it.
Far more so when it comes to a human body.
In the Torah Abraham went out of his way to purchase a cave
in order to bury Sarah, his wife.
Later in the Torah it says that an executed criminal should be buried.
"You shall surely bury him."
Rabbis extrapolated this to show the importance of burying everyone.
Burial is considered important for the community
and especially the family
to give support and help with closure.
This consolation in the community, caring for the body before the funeral,
in people coming together for the burial.
Under knowing that there will be a grave site
to visit years later.
Shoveling dirt on the casket can be an important part of the closure process
and for many there's also a visceral reaction against burning a body.
Pulling up memories of the crematoriums of the Holocaust.
If you approach a rabbi, even a non-traditional one, asking about cremation
the first thing they'll say is probably, "Why do you want to cremate? I don't think it's a good idea."
Here are some points they might make.
If cost is the major concern
there are often older Jewish cemeteries in your community
that might do burials less expensively.
Some cemeteries don't require supportive concrete grave liners
which are a significant part of the cost
and if your family truly can't afford it
there are actually a few organizations that may be able to help pay for burials
depending on where you live.
You certainly don't want to go into debt in order to bury a loved one.
if it's for environmental reasons it's worth knowing
Jewish burials are actually better for the environment than cremations.
The plain pine box and the white linen burial garments of a Jewish funeral
decompose quickly they're meant to equalize everyone in death
by being as natural as possible.
There's a strong Jewish value about keeping funerals
inexpensive, unpretentious, and unadorned.
There's no fancy metal casket
or noxious chemicals from an embalming process
Some Jewish cemeteries even offer green burial options
that don't involve a casket or grave liners at all.
Finally if your plan was to scatter the cremated remains,
it's important to consider how comforting it is for many
to have a single place to visit years and decades
down the road.
The conversation about death and mourning
does not begin and end with decisions about burial.
There are so many Jewish traditions to consider
and weave in to have a meaningful mourning experience for your family.
Death can be a very difficult topic to discuss or even to think about
but in Judaism we look at death as an inseparable part of life.
It shouldn't be a taboo topic.
It's important to have these discussions with
family and clergy in advance
so you can learn about the traditions and the options
while you're in good health and can make the choices you want.
For more information about Jewish mourning practices
watch our other videos and
check out the links in the description below