Some Orthodox reflections concerning cremation

This article examines the position of the Orthodox Church regarding the growing practice of cremation in contemporary Western societies, taking the Belgian context as its starting point. Written in the form of a structured theological reflection, it articulates the biblical, patristic and liturgical foundations that motivate the Orthodox rejection of cremation. The author shows that burial is not a mere cultural custom, but a practice rooted in faith in the resurrection of the body, attested by the entombment of Christ himself. He also emphasizes that cremation undermines the centuries-old tradition of venerating the relics of the saints, which bear the energies of the Spirit. The theological contribution of the article lies in the coherent interconnection of Orthodox eschatology, Christian anthropology and funeral liturgy, demonstrating that the treatment of the deceased body constitutes an act of faith in the resurrection.