Cremation is becoming more common in the Philippines, but there are still some beliefs and misconceptions about it.
During COVID-19, this practice of remembering the deceased has grown in popularity. To avoid the possibility of the disease spreading, the deceased must be cremated.
Although cremation is not a new practice in the Philippines, there are still myths surrounding it that are worth debunking if necessary. In this article, let's talk about five beliefs about cremation in the Philippines.
Does cremation violate the sanctity of the body?
Many Filipinos think that the body should be buried whole to show respect for the soul and honor the dead. This belief is often based on the idea that the body is the soul's temple and should be respected even after death. But the Catholic Church, which is the most popular religion in the Philippines, agrees that cremation is a valid way to get rid of a body as long as it is done with respect and dignity. Cremation also keeps the body's dignity and respect, just like a traditional funeral.
Must someone be embalmed before being cremated?
Contrary to what most people think, embalming is not necessary for cremation. The body of a dead person could be burned even if it wasn't embalmed. Because the chamber heats up to a high temperature, body fluids can leave the body and be reduced without changing the whole process.
Is cremation more expensive than burial?
People often think that cremation costs more than a traditional burial, which is not true. It can be less expensive for families who can't afford the high costs of traditional burials.
Cremation is also better for the environment because it doesn't require as much land or other resources as a burial. Cremation was only seen as a high-end way to care for the dead because celebrities and other famous people chose it, when, on the contrary, even the masses can also afford this for their dearly departed.
Is cremation a Christian practice?
As the Philippines is mostly Catholic, a lot of people believe in traditional burials as a way to show respect for their loved ones who have died. Because of this, most Filipino beliefs have also become like those of the church. For example, the traditional way of burying people is the same way Jesus was buried.
Some people believe that cremation is not a Christian practice and that it goes against the teachings of the Catholic Church. But since the mid-1960s, the Catholic Church has accepted cremation as a valid way to honor the dead. Many other Christian groups also accept cremation as a valid way to honor the dead.
If I choose cremation, can I still have a funeral the traditional way?
Even if you choose cremation, you can still have a traditional funeral. Many families choose to cremate the body and then have a funeral or memorial service with the urn. Another common choice is to have a traditional funeral before the cremation.
Embracing modernity
Filipinos believe and think different things about cremation because it is becoming more common. Accepting the new doesn't mean giving up habits and culture.
Instead, it gives us more chances and ways to show our loved ones who have died dignity and respect in the last moments we have with them. This isn't forgetting, and you don't have to give up everything traditional, but it is a way to accept that there are other ways to honor our loved ones who have died.
It can be put together so that we can remember our loved ones better. By learning about and talking about these beliefs, we can better understand why cremation is a valid and important way to honor the dead.
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