"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep,

lest you sorrow as others who have no hope."   1 Thess. 4:13  NKJV

 

Information about the Christian Brethren funeral arrangements at Karrakatta Cemetery coming soon.

 

Here is leaflet that was produced by an American funeral company that my be of interest...

 

Consumer Guide to Funerals  -  viewed in PDF

Since arranging a funeral is done so seldom in one's lifetime, most people are unaware of the purpose of many of the elements of the funeral ceremony. It is for this reason that Batesville Casket Company enlisted noted grief counsellor, Dr. Alan Wolfelt, to help create this brochure.

 

 

 

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Cremation or Burial for the Christian?   Facing a tough issue

 

An excerpt from an article at MacGregor Ministries...

Preface by L MacGregor: Two views on the topic. Some have very strong feelings. The biblical way of burial among the Jews and Christians is not cremation. That was always done by the pagan nations. However, let's not limit God. Of course he can still resurrect one who has been cremated, eaten by a fish, or turned to gases in an explosion. There is no biblical command against cremation, it was just not the custom of God's people. Some have strong views on the subject, but I believe the God of all the Universe will deal justly.

 

Is Cremation Christian?     by Roy E. Knuteson, Pd.D.  The Discerner vol 17 #4 Oct-Dec. 1997

Many apparently think so since it has gathered such wide acceptance in recent years even among professing Christians. The ministers of America are strangely silent on the subject and very few church attendees have ever heard a sermon on the subject, much less studied the matter themselves. Historically. cremation was considered a pagan method of disposing of the human body. Today, however, human reasoning, cultural acceptance, and economic factors determine what is right and what is wrong when it comes to funeral procedures, rather than the Word of God. For committed Christians. the issue is: "What does the Bible say about cremation?" Our faith is grounded in the Judo Christian ethic which means that we must consider what the Old and New Testaments say on this important subject, which will eventually affect every person.... 

WARNING before proceeding - descriptions of cremation at the end of this article are disturbing - read the full article on Cremation here.

 

Here is another web-based article on the subject: 

An Excerpt of From Ashes to Ashes: Is Burial the Only Christian Option?  by Norman L. Geisler and Douglas E. Potter

Some un-endorsed Western Australian contacts that may be of help...