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Appropriate Clothing For Body Of Inactive Deceased Member


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Posted

I hope this topic does not violate any board rules. A question has been posed by a relative, thus: "If an endowed member becomes inactive but has never lost his/her membership in the Church, is it OK for that person to be dressed in temple clothing at the viewing and for burial?" I'm quite sure the answer is yes, but I will appreciate hearing from those much better informed than me.

Posted

Burial or Cremation

Where possible, deceased members who were endowed should be buried in temple clothing. Where cultural traditions or burial practices make this inappropriate or difficult, the clothing may be folded and placed next to the body in the casket. Additional instructions on temple burial clothing and dressing the dead are provided in 7.10.2, 9.10.3, and Handbook 1, 3.4.9.

If possible, at least one member of the bishopric accompanies the cortege to the cemetery. If the grave will be dedicated, he consults with the family and asks a Melchizedek Priesthood holder to do so according to the instructions in 20.9. If the family prefers, a graveside prayer rather than a dedicatory prayer may be offered.

The Church does not normally encourage cremation. However, if the body of an endowed member is being cremated, it should be dressed in temple clothing if possible. For information about dedicating the place where the ashes are kept, see 20.9.

https://www.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2-administering-the-church/meetings-in-the-church?lang=eng&query=burial#186

Posted

Does it really matter? It's not going to effect what he is wearing or where he goes in the next life.

I think it matters if one desires to comply with established Church policy. If, in fact, it didn't matter, why would the Church have addressed it?

Posted

I hope this topic does not violate any board rules. A question has been posed by a relative, thus: "If an endowed member becomes inactive but has never lost his/her membership in the Church, is it OK for that person to be dressed in temple clothing at the viewing and for burial?" I'm quite sure the answer is yes, but I will appreciate hearing from those much better informed than me.

Yes they should, I have helped with two friends, one had not been to Church in 15 years, and the Temple longer. Our calling is to serve in that case and not judge.
Posted

And they get to wake up to their yummy coffee too

I can't imagine what prizes you win in heaven if you roll up the rim to win!

Posted

I can't imagine what prizes you win in heaven if you roll up the rim to win!

So are those bound for hell doomed to have teeth marks on their rims?
Posted

I can't imagine what prizes you win in heaven if you roll up the rim to win!

Wouldn't it be great if this is how our eternal reward was allocated. And all those life long coffee drinkers will be left to smell the sweet aroma for all eternity while we pass our time smoking cubans and playing poker. All because we were buried in the proper attire.

Posted

So are those bound for hell doomed to have teeth marks on their rims?

So THAT is what the gnashing of teeth is referring to. It is all becoming clear. People in the tellestial kingdom get 6 timbits each by the way.

Posted (edited)

It shows a sign of respect to the temporary temple that God gave us on our journey, imo. It is also symbolic of the next step in the journey where many of the promises made in the endowment are received as well as further understanding of the endowment continues. The learning isn't over:

When you climb up a ladder, you...begin at the bottom...ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top...so it is with the principles of the Gospel--you must begin with the first...go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world.

Joseph Smith Edited by calmoriah
Posted

It shows a sign of respect to the temporary temple that God gave us on our journey, imo.

I guess imo its the opposite, over time the body will decay causing the clothes to rot, which is disrespect, but that is just me.

Posted (edited)

Rotting is a natural process of death...and life for that matter, which death was given as part of the mortal experience...I think the idea that rotting is somehow disrespectfull rather than simply part of the death process is a result of the overobsession with distancing ourselves from death itself and the admittedly messy processes that go with it.

Edited by calmoriah
Posted

It shows a sign of respect to the temporary temple that God gave us on our journey, imo. It is also symbolic of the next step in the journey where many of the promises made in the endowment are received as well as further understanding of the endowment continues. The learning isn't over:

Joseph Smith

I agree, I can understand the ritual symbology and respect that it offers. I don't believe that it is a ritual of eternal consequence however. I guess what I am saying is, in the end it doesn't really affect me whether I am eaten by a pack of wolves, buried naked in a shallow snowy grave, or tossed over the side of a ship wearing a clown costume. It seems to me that the ritual of burying in temple clothes is more for the living then the deceased, as it in no way effects our post mortal standing. I see it as a comfort and reminder of eternal relationships and covenants for the living family members, to remind them that they will be together again if they remain true to their temple covenants. It is not so important how we die as how we live.

Posted

I agree, I can understand the ritual symbology and respect that it offers. I don't believe that it is a ritual of eternal consequence however. I guess what I am saying is, in the end it doesn't really affect me whether I am eaten by a pack of wolves, buried naked in a shallow snowy grave, or tossed over the side of a ship wearing a clown costume. It seems to me that the ritual of burying in temple clothes is more for the living then the deceased, as it in no way effects our post mortal standing. I see it as a comfort and reminder of eternal relationships and covenants for the living family members, to remind them that they will be together again if they remain true to their temple covenants. It is not so important how we die as how we live.

I completely agree with this
Posted (edited)

It seems to me that the ritual of burying in temple clothes is more for the living then the deceased, as it in no way effects our post mortal standing.

I would agree. These are symbols for the living to dwell upon thinking of how their loved one is now moving forward in their eternal progress.

Depending on if they still need it, I will be donating my body (or at least the brain) to a foundation that is performing autopsies on sufferers of my neurological/movement disorder in hopes of discovering the cause. If they want the rest of my body for transplants (my skin is often commented on as being great so that is probably the only part that anyone might want, lol) science or for medical students to practice on, I am okay with that as well. Whatever is left gets cremated.

Edited by calmoriah
Posted

I agree with Cal, unable to give a rep point, don't know why. If all our body does is rot. I love this idea and am making sure my family gets it right.

Posted

I agree, I can understand the ritual symbology and respect that it offers. I don't believe that it is a ritual of eternal consequence however. I guess what I am saying is, in the end it doesn't really affect me whether I am eaten by a pack of wolves, buried naked in a shallow snowy grave, or tossed over the side of a ship wearing a clown costume. It seems to me that the ritual of burying in temple clothes is more for the living then the deceased, as it in no way effects our post mortal standing. I see it as a comfort and reminder of eternal relationships and covenants for the living family members, to remind them that they will be together again if they remain true to their temple covenants. It is not so important how we die as how we live.

True, but I think I'll sleep the sleep of death better knowing my body was buried in temple clothes, even if my body was incinerated while wearing them.
Posted

It shows a sign of respect to the temporary temple that God gave us on our journey, imo. It is also symbolic of the next step in the journey where many of the promises made in the endowment are received as well as further understanding of the endowment continues. The learning isn't over:

Joseph Smith

I appreciate all (well, almost all) who have responded. For me, this statement by calmoriah is on the mark; it rings true.

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