Cremation has been a burning subject and an on-going topic for discussion for decades.
Composer and Conductor’s Ashes
Greek-American Dimitris Mitropoulos was a brilliant composer and conductor, who conducted European and American Orchestras. He even has an international Conducting and Composing Competition named after him. Besides his musical talents he was noted for his monk-like lifestyle closely linked to his deep Greek Orthodox religious beliefs. When he died in Italy in 1960, his body was cremated in Switzerland according to his wishes. The ashes were then brought to Athens where they lay in state at the Theatre of Herod Atticus. The Archbishop of Athens refused to perform a religious service for the ashes of this devout Greek, which gave rise to much tension and publicity.
Ashes of Maria Callas
Seventeen years later another well-known Greek-American Maria Callas was cremated. A funeral liturgy was held at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Paris and the ashes were scattered in her beloved Aegean sea. This time the Greek Orthodox Church held a ritual prayer in her memory.
Hot topic during the heat wave
During the heat wave of 1987 cremation was once again a hot issue, as hundreds of deceased were waiting for weeks to be buried. At this time of crisis many local councils and authorities were in favour of cremation, and there was much public pressure to go ahead with cremation. Once again nothing happened despite pressure. First now, twenty years later, cremation has finally been legalized in Greece. Up until now religious and Greek civil laws have not permitted cremation in Greece, and there are no cremation facilities in Greece yet.
Burials and Cremations
Why has cremation been permitted and widely accepted in other European countries, just not in Greece? The main reason for this is the Greek-Orthodox Church, who has fought bitterly against legalizing cremation in Greece. Nonetheless a number of factors have put pressure on politicians to change legislation.
Heated questions: overcrowded cemeteries
A pragmatic approach to the situation facing many of the major Greek cities certainly calls for changes. Population pressure in cities is massive. In the prefecture of Attica there are thirty cemeteries, most of them full and their operation causes hazards to public health as well as a negative impact on the environment. Besides this the digging-up of the corpses and the decomposition of the bones in incinerators are on the one hand against Orthodox religious beliefs, but nobody complains, as it is crucial as a practical and social necessity.
Heated questions: other beliefs
Another important aspect is that the Greek community of today includes Catholics, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists and people of other beliefs. For some their religion demands cremation after death, for others their religion allows cremation. This has previously meant that those who wanted to be cremated had to have the embalmed body sent for cremation in neighbouring countries where cremation is permitted. After cremation the ashes could be returned to Greece for burial.
Heated questions: freedom of choice
Besides religious groupings changes have taken place in many stratas of life, just think of civil marriages, legitimate abortions, donation of body organs - and Greece is also becoming a multicultural society. The demand for cremation facilities also has to do with self-disposition of the human body in life and death, perhaps more than a desire to follow a European or global trend.
The question of burials contra cremation has been a hot issue in the Greek media involving politicians, religious leaders, mass media and Greek society. There are many parties involved and arguments; one of the main questions is whether Greece is to continue being a traditional Greek Orthodox society with one accepted approach to life and death - or part of the global society with many approaches to life – and death.
Perhaps the on-going debates have been most challenging for the Greek Orthodox Church. In years to come the debates and reflections on burials and cremations may help the Greek Church maintain Orthodox Christian fundamentals while also walking hand in hand with modern everyday life.
Greek orthodox church
Statistics from most European countries clearly demonstrate that cremation can be linked with Christian doctrines such as Catholicism or Protestantism. Cremation is a broadly accepted method in the western world, also where Christianity prevails. Islam and Judaism on the other hand loathe the thought of cremation; burial is their only accepted form of disposing a dead body.
In the future faithful Greek Orthodox believers have been told to respect the Orthodox tradition of burial. Cremation will be permitted for those, whose religious beliefs allow cremation, but shouldn’t be chosen by Greek Orthodox. To be cremated the deceased must have expressed prior strict willing or a relevant statement is required from the relatives. If there are disagreements among family members, the matter will be settled by a prosecutor.
Related articles
Greek Orthodox Church, Arguments against cremation and traditional burials
Cremations and Burials in Greece, a brief history
European Statistics on cremation / burials, statistics
Related information
An overview of the views for and against cremations in Greece, http://www.cremation.gr/book_en.pdf (51 pages in english).
Greek orthodox Church, official website
Birgit O'Sullivan
- 26. februar 2007