The Body & The Vessel: What Cremation Really Does

First, let’s separate the physical from the spiritual.

Cremation uses intense heat (1,400–1,800°F) to gently return the body to its essential elements—bone fragments, then fine ash. It’s a process of transformation, not destruction.

Many spiritual traditions see the body as a temporary home—a sacred vessel that carried the person through life, but isn’t who they truly are.

So when fire returns the body to ash, many believe:

The soul doesn’t burn.

The spirit doesn’t vanish.

It simply moves on.

Just as a butterfly leaves its chrysalis, the soul, in many beliefs, continues its journey—unaffected by how the body is cared for after death.

 How Different Traditions Understand the Soul’s Journey

There is no single answer. And that’s okay.

Grief is personal. So is belief.

Here’s how some of the world’s wisdom traditions view the soul after death—and cremation:

1. Hinduism: The Eternal Atman

“The soul is not slain when the body is destroyed.” — Bhagavad Gita

The soul (atman) is eternal, unborn, and undying.

Cremation is preferred—it helps release the soul quickly from the physical world.

Fire is sacred—a divine element that purifies and guides the soul toward its next life or liberation (moksha).

Rituals and mantras support the soul’s transition.

 To many Hindus, cremation isn’t just practical—it’s an act of love, helping the soul move forward.

2. Buddhism: Consciousness in Motion

Life is impermanent. So is death.