Dear Pastor Ken:
I am a lifelong Catholic,
but my husband is Baptist. Is it ok for a Catholic to be buried in a Baptist
cemetery or any other, and does it matter as long as it is blessed?
Mrs. E.
Miami, Florida
Dear Mrs. E,
That's a good
question and thanks for your email.
For a Christian,
death is not the final chapter as we have the evidence of a resurrection
because of Jesus resurrection from the dead. While many fear death, we are
reminded in the Bible that we actually have eternity ahead of us and that Jesus
has gone to prepare a place.
Just before Jesus
was to be crucified, his disciples became anxious as he told them what was
about to transpire. In John 14:1-4 Jesus tells them, “Do not let your hearts be
troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many
rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to
prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the
way to the place where I am going”
So for the
Christian, one who has believed and embraced the life, death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ, our future is secure regardless of the cause of death or the
place of interment.
While the medieval
church introduced many elaborate burial rites including a mass, prayers and
specific consecrated burial sites, it has no impact on the fact of eternal life
with Jesus Christ.
Baptist, Catholic
and other denominations are just that...denominations. If you look in your
purse or wallet you likely have some US currency, some money. US currency comes
in many denominations - $1, $5, $10 and even coins. However, it is all backed
by the full faith and confidence of the US government. In like manner, our Christian denominations
should not divide us as we all agree in the essential beliefs in the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit, the Virgin Birth, Jesus death at Calvary, his Resurrection
and Ascension and also in his Second Coming.
Have confidence
that if we are in Christ, we are in Christ for eternity, regardless of what
happens to our body or where our remains may be buried.
Blessings!
Pastor Ken
