Judaism and Water Cremation

In today’s world, many Jews choose to be cremated, often with a rabbi’s approval. In this article, we discuss different Jewish perspectives on Water Cremation.

The permissibility of Water Cremation, and of cremation in general, is a question of the interpretation of Halacha (Jewish law). The Orthodox movement is clear that cremation should not be allowed, so that the righteous may one day be resurrected. The Conservative movement agrees, however some individual Conservative rabbis do not object to the practice. The Reform movement, however, concludes that, “there is no clear-cut prohibition of cremation,”* and many Reform rabbis do not discourage their congregants from choosing it.

Legal interpretations aside, Water Cremation appeals to many Jews because water has an important place in various Jewish rites and customs, including Taharah, which means “purification” – the ritual of bathing the body in warm water in preparation for burial.

Further, flame cremation recalls the ovens used to burn those murdered in the Shoah (the Holocaust), so for many Jews who would otherwise choose flame cremation, Water Cremation holds a special appeal.

*https://reformjudaism.org/learning/answers-jewish-questions/what-reform-judaisms-position-cremation