Early Christian Burial and Funeral Practices

Minucius Felix, Octavius Direct teaching

... Nor, as you think, do we fear any loss from burial, but we follow the ancient and better custom of burying in the earth. See, therefore, how all nature points to a future resurrection for our comfort. The sun sets and rises. The stars disappear and return. The flowers die and live again. After their winter fading, the shrubs put out leaves again. Seeds do not grow again unless they rot. In the same way, the body in the tomb is like the trees that in winter hide their greenness under a deceiving dryness. Why are you in a hurry for it to revive and return while winter is still harsh? We too must wait for the springtime of the body. And I am not unaware that many people, because they know what they deserve, rather wish than believe that they will be nothing after death. For they would prefer to be completely destroyed rather than to be restored for punishment. And their error is made worse both by the freedom allowed them in this life and by God's very great patience, whose judgment, the more delayed it is, is all the more just.

Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching

For, in harmony with those laws which are based upon the principles of equity, bodies are deemed worthy of sepulture, with the honours accorded on such occasions, that no insult, so far as can be helped, may be offered to the soul which dwelt within, by casting forth the body (after the soul has departed) like that of the animals.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

The last and greatest office of piety is the burying of strangers and the poor;

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

And, as matter of the greatest importance, if the bodies of the martyrs and others be not buried, a considerable risk is incurred by those whose duty it is to do this office.

John 19:40 Direct teaching

So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

Acts 8:2 Direct teaching

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

Mark 15:46 Supporting witness

And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.

Luke 23:53 Supporting witness

Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid.

Genesis 23:6 Background

Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead.

Genesis 50:13 Background

So his sons carried him up into the land of Canaan, and buried him in the double cave, which cave Abraham bought for possession of a burying place, of Ephron the Hittite, before Mamre.

Genesis 35:29 Background

And Isaac gave up the ghost and died, and was laid to his family, old and full of days; and Esau and Jacob his sons buried him.

Tobit 8:18 Background

Then Raguel bade his servants to fill the grave.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

and in the funerals of the departed, accompany them with singing, if they were faithful in Christ.

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

And when you buried the dead in singleness of heart, and because you did not delay to rise up and leave your dinner, and went and buried the dead, I was sent to make proof of you.

Wisdom of Sirach 38:16 Supporting witness

My son, let tears fall down over the dead, And begin to lament, as if thou hadst suffered great harm thyself; And then cover his body according to the custom, And neglect not his burial.

Jeremiah 16:7 Supporting witness

Nor shall men break bread in mourning for them, to comfort them for the dead; nor shall men give them the cup of consolation to drink for their father or their mother.

Jeremiah 34:5 Supporting witness

You shall die in peace; as in the ceremonies of your fathers, the former kings who were before you, so they shall burn incense for you and lament for you, saying, “Alas, lord!” For I have pronounced the word, says the Lord.’ ”

Ecclesiastes 5:10 Supporting witness

and he that had cast out many unburied had none to mourn for him, nor any solemn funerals at all, nor sepulcher with his fathers.

Mark 6:29 Supporting witness

When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

2 Chronicles 16:14 Background

And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.

2 Maccabees 12:39 Background

And upon the day following, as the use had been, Judas and his company came to take up the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen in their fathers’ graves.

Tobit 14:11 Background

Wherefore now, my son, consider what alms doeth, and how righteousness doth deliver. When he had said these things, he gave up the ghost in the bed, being a hundred and eight and fifty years old; and he buried him honorably.

Matthew 14:12 Background

And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

Origen, Against Celsus Direct teaching

...d, He died unto sin once," and this, "Being made conformable to His death," and this, "For if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him"; so also His burial has an application to those who have been made conformable to His death, who have both been crucified with Him and have died with Him, as is declared by Paul, "For we were buried with Him by baptism," and have also risen with Him. These matters, however, which relate to His burial, and His sepulchre, and him who buried Him, we will explain at greater length on a more suitable occasion, when it will be our stated purpose to treat of such things. But for the present, it is enough to notice the clean linen in which the pure body of Jesus was wrapped, and the new tomb that Joseph had cut out of the rock, where no one was yet lying, or, as John expresses it, "wherein was never man yet laid." And observe whether the harmony of the three evangelists here is not fitted to make an impression. For they thought it right to describe the tomb as one that was quarried or cut out of the rock, so that he who examines the words of the narrative may see something worthy of consideration, both in them and in the newness of the tomb, a p

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching

...point: The deceased daughter of the high priest; the widow’s dead son, who was being carried out to burial near the city gate; and Lazarus, who had been in the tomb for four days—in what bodies did they rise again? Certainly, in the same ones in which they had died. For if it were not in the very same bodies, then those same individuals who had died did not rise again. The Scripture says, “The Lord took the hand of the dead man and said to him, Young man, I say to you, Arise. And the dead man sat up, and He commanded that something should be given him to eat; and He delivered him to his mother.” Again, He called Lazarus with a loud voice, saying, “Lazarus, come forth;” and the one who was dead came forth, bound with bandages, feet and hands.” This symbolized a man who had been bound in sins. And therefore, the Lord said, “Loose him, and let him go.” Just as those who were healed were made whole in the very parts that had previously been afflicted, and the dead rose in the same bodies, their limbs and bodies receiving health and life granted by the Lord—who demonstrates eternal things through temporary ones, and shows that He alone can extend both healing and life to His creation

Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh Direct teaching

It is on a like principle that embalmed corpses are set aside for burial in mausoleums and sepulchres, in order that they may be removed therefrom when the Master shall order it.

Tertullian, Against Marcion Supporting witness

Let us now return to the resurrection. In another work of ours, we have already given enough attention to defending it against heretics of every kind. But even here, we will still give some defense of this teaching, for the sake of those who do not know that little book. He asks, "What shall those do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise?" 1 Corinthians 15:29. Now, never mind that practice, whatever it may have been. The Februarian washings may perhaps answer him just as well, by praying for the dead. So do not think that the apostle is pointing here to some new god as the author and defender of this baptism for the dead. His only purpose in mentioning it was to press the resurrection of the body even more strongly, since those who were vainly baptized for the dead were doing it because they believed in such a resurrection. In another passage, the apostle says there is only one baptism. Ephesians 4:5. Therefore, to be baptized for the dead really means to be baptized for the body, because, as we have shown, it is the body that becomes dead. What then shall those do who are baptized for the body, if the body does not rise again? We stand, then, on firm ground when w

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

... raise us up through our Lord Jesus Christ, according to His infallible promise. He will grant us a resurrection with all those who have slept from the beginning of the world. Then we shall be such as we now are in our present form, without any defect or corruption. For we shall rise incorruptible. Whether we die at sea, or are scattered on the earth, or are torn to pieces by wild beasts and birds, He will raise us by His own power. For the whole world is held together by the hand of God. Now He says, "A hair of your head shall not perish." Luke 21:18 Therefore He exhorts us, saying, "In your patience you possess your souls." Luke 21:19 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the recompense of reward for the martyrs, Gabriel speaks to Daniel: "And many of them that sleep shall arise out of the dust of the earth, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that understand shall shine as the sun, and as the firmament, and as the stars." Daniel 12:2-3 Therefore the most holy Gabriel foretold that the saints should shine like the stars. For His sacred name did witness to them, that they might understand the truth. Nor is a resurrection dec

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Direct teaching

But since He had foretold that He would rise again from the dead on the third day, they were afraid that the disciples might steal the body and carry it away, so that everyone would believe that He had risen. Then there would be a much greater disturbance among the people. So they took Him down from the cross and shut Him up in a tomb, and they securely surrounded it with a guard of soldiers. But on the third day, before daylight, there was an earthquake, and the tomb was suddenly opened. The guards were amazed and stunned with fear, and they saw nothing. He came out of the tomb unharmed and alive, and went into Galilee to seek His disciples. But nothing was found in the tomb except the grave clothes in which they had enclosed and wrapped His body. Now the prophets had foretold that He would not remain in hell, but would rise again on the third day. David says in the fifteenth Psalm, "You will not leave my soul in hell; neither will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption." Also in the third Psalm, "I lay down to sleep and took my rest, and rose again, for the Lord sustained me." Hosea also, the first of the twelve prophets, testified about His resurrection: Hosea 13:13-14, "This

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book IV Direct teaching

Our Lord and Master, in His response to the Sadducees, who claim there is no resurrection and therefore dishonor God and diminish the law, indicated a resurrection and revealed God by saying to them, "You err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." Regarding the resurrection of the dead, He says, "Have you not read what God spoke, saying, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?" He added, "He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to Him." Through these arguments, He clearly showed that He who spoke to Moses from the bush, declaring Himself as the God of the fathers, is indeed the God of the living. For who is the God of the living except He who is God, with no one above Him? This is the same God whom Daniel the prophet proclaimed when King Cyrus of Persia asked him, "Why don't you worship Bel?" Daniel answered, "Because I do not worship idols made with hands, but the living God, who established heaven and earth and has dominion over all flesh." He also said, "I will adore the Lord my God, because He is the living God." Hence, the One whom the prophets adored as the living God is indeed the God of the living; and His Word

Hippolytus, Against the Heresy of Noetus Direct teaching

...." And He who generously gives life to all had His side pierced with a spear. And He who raises the dead was wrapped in linen and laid in a tomb. On the third day He was raised again by the Father, though He Himself is the Resurrection and the Life. For He completed all these things for us, He who for our sake was made as we are. For He Himself bore our infirmities and carried our diseases. For our sake He was afflicted, as Isaiah the prophet has said. This is He who was praised in song by the angels, seen by the shepherds, waited for by Simeon, and witnessed to by Anna. This is He who was sought by the wise men and pointed out by the star. He was busy in His Father's house, pointed out by John, and witnessed to by the Father from above in the voice, "This is my beloved Son; hear Him." He is crowned as victor over the devil. This is Jesus of Nazareth, who was invited to the marriage feast in Cana and turned the water into wine. He rebuked the sea when it was stirred up by the violence of the winds, and walked on the deep as on dry land. He caused the man blind from birth to see, and raised Lazarus to life after he had been dead four days. He did many mighty works, forgave sins,

Tertullian, On the Resurrection of the Flesh Supporting witness

...ed up the substance of his own gospel and of their belief in an explanation of the Lord's death and resurrection. He did this in order to draw from it the rule of our hope and its foundation. So he adds this statement: "Now if Christ is preached that He rose from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up, if it is true that the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not raised. And if Christ is not raised, your faith is vain, because you are still in your sins, and those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished." 1 Corinthians 15:12-18 Now what is the point that he is plainly working hard to make us believe throughout this passage? The resurrection of the dead, you say, which was denied. He certainly wanted it to be believed on the strength of the example he brought forward, the Lord's resurrection. Certainly, you say. Well then, is an e

Lactantius, The Epitome of the Divine Institutes Direct teaching

After these things, they took His body down from the cross and buried it in a tomb. But on the third day, before daybreak, there was an earthquake, and the stone with which they had closed the tomb was removed, and He arose. But nothing was found in the tomb except the clothes in which the body had been wrapped. But the prophets had long ago foretold that He would rise again on the third day. David says in Psalm 15, "You will not leave my soul in hell, neither will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption." Likewise Hosea says, "This my Son is wise, therefore He will not stay long in the anguish of His sons; and I will ransom Him from the hand of the grave. Where is your judgment, O death, where is your sting?" The same prophet again says in Hosea 6:2, "After two days He will revive us on the third day."

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Supporting witness

... partake of the Spirit now, it is not surprising that they will receive life from the Spirit in the resurrection. The apostle talks about this resurrection in the Epistle to the Philippians: "Being conformed to His death, if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." In what other mortal flesh can life be shown if not in the same flesh that is put to death because of the confession of God? As he himself says, "If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human reasons, what benefit is it to me if the dead are not raised? If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is in vain, and your faith is in vain. We are also false witnesses about God, because we've testified that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise if the dead are not raised. If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. But if Christ has not been raised, your faith is in vain, and you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are to be pitied more than all people. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fal

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book III Supporting witness

...e corruption.’” Then he goes on to speak confidently to them about the patriarch David, that he was dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with them to this day. He said, “But since he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn an oath to him, that one of his descendants would sit on his throne; foreseeing this, he spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that He was not left in hell, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus,” he said, “God has raised up, of which we all are witnesses: who, being exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, has poured out this gift which you now see and hear. For David has not ascended into the heavens, but he says himself, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool.’ Therefore, let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” And when the crowds asked, “What shall we do then?” Peter tells them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Thus, the apostles did not preach an

Polycarp, The Martyrdom of Polycarp Direct teaching

...m the shops and baths; the Jews especially, according to custom, eagerly helped with this. When the funeral pile was ready, Polycarp removed all his garments and loosened his belt, intending to take off his sandals too—a task he was not used to, as everyone of the faithful was always eager to be the first to touch his skin. Because of his holy life, he was adorned with every kind of good even before his martyrdom. Then they immediately surrounded him with the materials prepared for the funeral pile. But when they were about to fasten him with nails, he said, “Leave me as I am; for He who gives me strength to endure the fire will also enable me, without you securing me with nails, to remain still in the pile.”

Polycarp, The Martyrdom of Polycarp Direct teaching

And when the funeral pile was ready, Polycarp, laying aside all his garments, and loosing his girdle, sought also to take off his sandals,—a thing he was not accustomed to do, inasmuch as every one of the faithful was always eager who should first touch his skin.

Minucius Felix, Octavius Supporting witness

you reserve ointments for funeral rites; you even refuse garlands to your sepulchres — pallid, trembling beings, worthy of the pity even of our gods!

Lactantius, On the Anger of God Supporting witness

But, in truth, the last day is always to be looked for by man and no one ought to be called happy before his death and last funeral rites,

Early Liturgies, Divine Liturgy of St. Mark Direct teaching

Give peace to their souls, and deem them worthy of the kingdom of heaven.

Revelation 14:13 Supporting witness

And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

2 Maccabees 12:45 Supporting witness

And also in that he perceived that there was great favor laid up for those that died godly, it was a holy and good thought. Whereupon he made a reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin.

4 Maccabees 16:11 Background

Nor, should I die, shall I have a son to bury me. But with such a lament as this the holy and God-fearing mother bewailed none of them.

Wisdom of Sirach 44:14 Background

Their bodies are buried in peace; But their name liveth for evermore.