Part of Everendium's Faith, Culture & Traditions guides.
Can Christians Be Cremated? How Denominations Differ
Reviewed by Everendium Editorial Team · Last reviewed August 23, 2026
Quick answer
Yes, cremation is accepted across virtually all major Christian denominations today, though the path there differed - the Catholic Church historically discouraged it and lifted that general prohibition in 1963, now permitting it as long as the remains are treated with respect and ultimately buried or entombed rather than scattered or kept at home. Most Protestant traditions have generally accepted cremation without the same historical restriction. Orthodox Christian tradition remains more resistant to cremation, generally preferring burial.
Christian views on cremation have shifted meaningfully over the past century, and the current picture differs by denomination in ways that surprise many families making this decision.
The Catholic Church’s shift in 1963
For centuries, the Catholic Church generally discouraged cremation, largely because of its historical association — particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries — with movements that explicitly denied the resurrection of the body. In 1963, the Church lifted this general prohibition, and cremation is now permitted for Catholics.
That permission comes with an expectation that matters practically: cremated remains are meant to be buried in a cemetery or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium, treated with the same basic reverence a body would receive — not scattered, divided among family members as keepsakes, or kept at home indefinitely. A funeral Mass can still be celebrated, either with the cremated remains present or beforehand with cremation following.
Protestant traditions generally accept it
Most major Protestant denominations don’t carry the same historical restriction and generally leave the decision to individual conscience and family circumstance. This doesn’t mean every individual congregation or pastor treats the topic identically — some communities have stronger cultural leanings toward traditional burial even without a doctrinal requirement — but there’s typically no theological barrier to work around.
Orthodox Christian tradition remains more resistant
Orthodox Christian teaching generally continues to emphasize burial specifically, rooted in theology around bodily resurrection that many Orthodox communities see cremation as being in tension with. Some Orthodox jurisdictions may decline to perform a full funeral rite if cremation has occurred, though practice can vary — this is genuinely a conversation to have directly with a specific parish priest rather than assume applies uniformly.
What this means for a family deciding today
For Catholic and most Protestant families, cremation is a legitimate option without theological conflict, though Catholic families should plan for eventual burial or entombment of the remains rather than other options. Orthodox Christian families should have a direct conversation with their priest before assuming cremation will be treated the same as burial within their specific community.
Specific parish, diocese, and jurisdictional practice can vary — a priest or pastor can confirm what applies to a specific family’s situation.
Frequently asked questions
Did the Catholic Church always allow cremation?+
No - the Church generally discouraged cremation for centuries, largely due to its historical association with denying the resurrection of the body. This general prohibition was lifted in 1963, and cremation is now permitted, provided cremated remains are ultimately buried or entombed rather than scattered, divided among family members, or kept at home.
What does the Catholic Church expect to happen with cremated remains?+
Current guidance calls for cremated remains to be buried in a cemetery or entombed in a mausoleum or columbarium, similar to how a body would be treated - not scattered, kept in a home, or divided into multiple keepsake items.
Do Protestant denominations have restrictions on cremation?+
Most major Protestant traditions do not have a doctrinal restriction on cremation and generally leave the choice to individual conscience and family preference, though specific congregations and pastors can offer guidance for a specific family's situation.
Why does Orthodox Christian tradition generally prefer burial over cremation?+
Orthodox Christian teaching generally emphasizes burial as reflecting belief in bodily resurrection and tends to view cremation as being in tension with that theology, though a specific priest or jurisdiction can speak to how strictly this is upheld in a given community.
Sources
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