Why Orthodox Christians say NO to Cremation

“Our world, when viewed in the Light of the Resurrection, acquires a dignity, a sacredness and a general perspective that is out of the ordinary…. This is the reason why we believe in the Resurrection of bodies; this is the reason why we don’t accept cremation. This is the reason why we object to famine, that’s why we cannot accept slavery, war, and keeping people in captivity and all such practices which devaluate both God and people.” (Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Patriarchal message, Pascha 1993).

“We burn everything related to values, beauty and life. We burn down forests, we burn down our land, our eternal values and our morals with our legislation. Now, er even want to burn our bodies.” (His Eminence Met. Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki)